Home› General Training Discussions

Running Form Change - is it possible?

Spokane_AlSpokane_Al
in General Training Discussions

After experiencing some Achilles tendonitis I made an appointment with a local sports trainer.  She put me on a treadmill, evaluated my shoe wear patterns and had me walk for a bit.  The conclusion, along with providing me with some stretch, core and form exercises, is that I need to lift my feet off the ground a bit more.  I have been known to trip over sidewalk cracks so this is not a surprise.

My question is this – after 35 years of running and 62 years on this rock, do you think I can make a meaningful change to my running form?

 

Comments

  • rmillerrmiller
    I'm no one but an average Joe, but since you seem to just be asking for opinions - I'd say you certainly can. Will likely be weird at first, and you might have to the spend several months forgoing any sort of speed workouts and running at a nice and relaxed pace so you can concentrate fully on the new mechanics - but I see no reason why the change couldn't be made if you really put your mind and effort to it.

    Obviously, all other stuff (start slow, build up gradually to new mechanics, etc, etc) still apply.
  • kurshingkurshing
    My running form has evolved since I started triathlon three years ago, and I would certainly suggest that it can change. It will be gradual, and SHOULD intentionally be gradual for your body's sake.
  • Nate ParadyNate Parady
    Yes...
    I changed my running form after IMLP last year due to foot injury, and knee pain. I was inspired by a video of miranda carefree running. Went from heal striker to up on my toes to finally a mid striker. My knee pain is gone and even just yesterday during an olympic race my knee started to hurt mid run which reminded me to focus on foot strike. Knee pain went away.

    I also went from a vdot of 46 to 51 which I contribute partially b/c of better running form.
  • Beth_SBeth_S
    Yes. I am in the process of doing it now. It has taken months and months and months. Good things are happening, but getting someone really amazing to help guide you do it is key. Why are your feet doing what they are doing?
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]

    At 60 I changed my running form 3 x. It keeps getting better and better, and only takes a lot of focus for a few months. Every change I have made has made me less and less injury prone. Well worth the investment of time and energy. It can be frustrating if you let it, but I kept telling myself that this is the pathway to success and running longevity. Good luck. You can do it!

  • Steven FordSteven Ford

    Like all the others said, YES you can do it, take it slow and be deliebrate about it.

  • NortonNorton
    You're going to have to activate your psoas muscles in order to lift your feet. A good Rolfer/Hellerworker/physiotherapist can help you locate, isolate, and activate this primary leg lifter. Have fun!
  • Spokane_AlSpokane_Al
    Bill, that is exactly what the sports trainer said!
  • Jeff SullivanJeff Sullivan
    @ Al - great thread for reference - "How I rebuilt my running from scratch" - has spurred lots of EN activity - many months later and i'm still working on my conversion

    http://members.endurancenation.us/Training/TrainingForums/tabid/101/aft/7719/Default.aspx
  • harrastharrast
    Not to hijack the thread, but is anyone following the Pose method? I've been experimenting with it, but I'm not there yet. I need a visualization or something.
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    Posted By Al Olsen on 17 Aug 2012 08:41 PM

    My question is this – after 35 years of running and 62 years on this rock, do you think I can make a meaningful change to my running form?

     

    Absolutely!  For what it's worth, I started my 'operation: meaningful change to run form' mission in 2001, and come back at it every year. 



     

  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    Posted By Steven Harrast on 20 Aug 2012 02:21 PM

    Not to hijack the thread, but is anyone following the Pose method? I've been experimenting with it, but I'm not there yet. I need a visualization or something.

     

    Yes. I took the Pose clinic back in the day. My takeaways since then, and I wouldn't say this is ground-breaking running technique guidance:

    • High cadence (90-93rpm)
    • "Neutral" foot strike directly under the body/center of mass. Neutral meaning if you think "land on the forefoot," you will likely be running too much on your toes = a long lever acting on your achilles and calves. I basically try to land with a flat foot or "unweighted heal," you could say.
    • Leaning forward from the ankles: my this I mean I try to imagine a straight line from my ankle through my knee, hips, and head. This line is leaning forward a bit vs bending at the waist. For me, the way to get this is to think about point my hips at an object down the road.

    But in the all of this stuff happens almost automatically when you adopt a high cadence style of running.

  • BeckyHBeckyH
    I think the key here is IF you do it slowly, and IF your mechanics are good enough to adapt to the new stresses. For example, if you already have calf issues, or a Psoas that does not do it's job, or a lazy glute... making changes may cause more problems that they are worth. I also think that Rich nailed it on the head when he said it happens with a high cadence style of running- I'd focus more on that then how your foot is landing. Focusing on good mechanics, good form and having a strong core trumps running style in my books... should take my own words of wisdom :-).
  • Kori MartiniKori Martini

    Coach R - exactly the problem I created for myself. I thought too much about landing on my forefoot, which put me on my toes too much, which then in turn gifted me with a nice case of PF in my left foot. Over-correcting causes just as many problems as not correcting in the first place. I'm working on getting back to a mid-foot landing. Also, good visual on the hip-thing.

Sign In or Register to comment.