Runners

[Sam334]

So I just got a treadmill for fairly cheap from my neighbor who's moving out tomorrow. I'd been looking for one for a few weeks now and bought the thing...

Anyhow, so I started at 215 a few months back and am now at 183 from just a change in diet. However, I haven't been exercising at all. Hell, I haven't done anything physical since 7th grade in the early 90's. Anyhow, I started using the treadmill yesterday and I think I have bad form. My whole foot never touched the ground; only my toes. So, should I be planting my entire foot on the mat as I run or just the tips as I was doing? I also got a headache, but I'm assuming that was because I hadn't eaten anything all day (I ran at 6pm). I only lasted 13 minutes running at a medium pace, lol. Hopefully I'll slowly build up my endurance.

Thanks in advance for any help/pointers.

 

[Rogue]

Originally posted by: Sam334
So I just got a treadmill for fairly cheap from my neighbor who's moving out tomorrow. I'd been looking for one for a few weeks now and bought the thing...

Anyhow, so I started at 215 a few months back and am now at 183 from just a change in diet. However, I haven't been exercising at all. Hell, I haven't done anything physical since 7th grade in the early 90's. Anyhow, I started using the treadmill yesterday and I think I have bad form. My whole foot never touched the ground; only my toes. So, should I be planting my entire foot on the mat as I run or just the tips as I was doing? I also got a headache, but I'm assuming that was because I hadn't eaten anything all day (I ran at 6pm). I only lasted 13 minutes running at a medium pace, lol. Hopefully I'll slowly build up my endurance.

Thanks in advance for any help/pointers.

I used to strike heel first for a long time and after a thread I posted in here, I did some more research on shoes, stride, etc. My research concluded that the heel of your foot should barely strike the running surface at all and definitely not first as I was doing before. Since changing my stride and actually focusing on using the tension in my achilles tendon and calf muscles, I've found I can run faster and farther without nearly the same degree of exhaustion, however, my calf muscles catch on fire after a while as a result. I've improved my two mile time with little more than some additional mental focus on how my feet are working while I'm running.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Don't think about your form. Run whatever way allows you to run the fastest the longest. Your form will correct itself in time.

 

[kogase]

Originally posted by: Sam334
So I just got a treadmill for fairly cheap from my neighbor who's moving out tomorrow. I'd been looking for one for a few weeks now and bought the thing...

Anyhow, so I started at 215 a few months back and am now at 183 from just a change in diet. However, I haven't been exercising at all. Hell, I haven't done anything physical since 7th grade in the early 90's. Anyhow, I started using the treadmill yesterday and I think I have bad form. My whole foot never touched the ground; only my toes. So, should I be planting my entire foot on the mat as I run or just the tips as I was doing? I also got a headache, but I'm assuming that was because I hadn't eaten anything all day (I ran at 6pm). I only lasted 13 minutes running at a medium pace, lol. Hopefully I'll slowly build up my endurance.

Thanks in advance for any help/pointers.

It's important to build up to the run and then walk it off after you're done. So walk for 5 minutes, do your jog, then walk for 5 minutes. Neglecting to do this gives me a headache, anyway.

 

[jalaram]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Don't think about your form. Run whatever way allows you to run the fastest the longest. Your form will correct itself in time.

Agreed.

Also, I would recommend that you go to a runner's specialty shoe store. They can look at your gait and recommend a good pair of shoes that'll match your form.

 

[Gibsons]

heel striking is bad, even if it feels "natural." Is your treadmill inclined? Running up an incline promotes better form, but if you're landing on your toes/balls of your feet, you're probably okay anyway.

 

[birdpup]

I do not agree that your gate will improve over time with little thought to form. It is important to learn good form and then become used to this proper form.

The toe stride as mentioned does work very well and is usually used for short distances and faster paces. This stride helps eliminate runner's heel problems caused by too many miles of shocking the heel with each step.

Also, do not put your legs out too far in front of you when running since it will actually slow you down and impede your momentum. Putting your legs out too far in front will also destroy your knees after a year or two of running. Short strides that carry your momentum through to the next step will increase your efficiency and make running easier.

Proper form is to be learned and practiced. It does not happen on its own.

 

[jaedaliu]

Originally posted by: Rogue

Originally posted by: Sam334
So I just got a treadmill for fairly cheap from my neighbor who's moving out tomorrow. I'd been looking for one for a few weeks now and bought the thing...

Anyhow, so I started at 215 a few months back and am now at 183 from just a change in diet. However, I haven't been exercising at all. Hell, I haven't done anything physical since 7th grade in the early 90's. Anyhow, I started using the treadmill yesterday and I think I have bad form. My whole foot never touched the ground; only my toes. So, should I be planting my entire foot on the mat as I run or just the tips as I was doing? I also got a headache, but I'm assuming that was because I hadn't eaten anything all day (I ran at 6pm). I only lasted 13 minutes running at a medium pace, lol. Hopefully I'll slowly build up my endurance.

Thanks in advance for any help/pointers.

I used to strike heel first for a long time and after a thread I posted in here, I did some more research on shoes, stride, etc. My research concluded that the heel of your foot should barely strike the running surface at all and definitely not first as I was doing before. Since changing my stride and actually focusing on using the tension in my achilles tendon and calf muscles, I've found I can run faster and farther without nearly the same degree of exhaustion, however, my calf muscles catch on fire after a while as a result. I've improved my two mile time with little more than some additional mental focus on how my feet are working while I'm running.

there's only 2 parts of a run that are essential: propelling yourself by the toes (really just big toe, the rest are pretty much vestigial) and placing your toes on the ground (the step) everything else are just balancing and saving energy acts. If you can run with just toes touching the ground, you're probably doing it more efficiently, but will be sprinting and not be able to jog as far a distance.

the most important thing is to go at a comfortable pace, as time spent jogging and distance jogged are more important than speed (when you consider general health)