Beginner - Transitioning from Heel Strik to Toe Strike.

[Smitters]

JCW said:

Does anyone know of a decent coach in the North Oxfordshire area who can help me with posture/form etc?

This would be a really good route to go - athletic clubs are numerous and access to quality coaching is really good.

Regards regressing to heel striking when necessary, I may be wrong (armchair etc etc) but if you have to regress, you're pushing too hard, so should run a shorter distance, or slower and maintain the footfall form you're after.

[Hoofy]

Just experiment! It's what I did and I'm sold on the technique. (If not the necessity for the shoes which seem to counteract the notion that cavemen did it.)

Edited by Hoofy on Thursday 16th August 14:15

[Tiggsy]

Hoofy said:

Just experiment! It's what I did and I'm sold on the technique. (If not the necessity for the shoes which seem to counteract the notion that cavemen did it.)

Edited by Hoofy on Thursday 16th August 14:15

Do you mean you arent sold on barefoot shoes?

[ewenm]

Sounds like Hoofy is sold on mid-to-fore-foot striking when running, which is sensible as that's what our feet and legs are designed to do.

You don't need barefoot/minimalist shoes to achieve that although it may well be easier for many people to achieve that strike point by using them (or go actually barefoot if they have suitable terrain/hardened feet!).

[Hoofy]

Tiggsy said:

Do you mean you arent sold on barefoot shoes?

As in thin-soled shoes or shoes that look like feet?

[Hoofy]

ewenm said:

Sounds like Hoofy is sold on mid-to-fore-foot striking when running, which is sensible as that's what our feet and legs are designed to do.

You don't need barefoot/minimalist shoes to achieve that although it may well be easier for many people to achieve that strike point by using them (or go actually barefoot if they have suitable terrain/hardened feet!).

Exactly. The shoes I wore are awful for walking in for long distances as I still walk heel-first (otherwise you look like you're mincing). However, they are perfectly fine for running toe-first.

[MocMocaMoc]

Hoofy said:

Exactly. The shoes I wore are awful for walking in for long distances as I still walk heel-first (otherwise you look like you're mincing). However, they are perfectly fine for running toe-first.

Haha, I ran over a road the other day (and into a pub). I was wearing those daft deck shoes, which obviously have no cushion so instinctively ran barefoot style... My mate, not at all into running, commented...

"that's the gayest run I've ever seen"

Fair play, it must have looked a bit mincy.

[Tiggsy]

Hoofy said:

Exactly. The shoes I wore are awful for walking in for long distances as I still walk heel-first (otherwise you look like you're mincing). However, they are perfectly fine for running toe-first.

Yeah, the only reason to wear barefoot shoes is because running barefoot would hurt. Cavemen didnt wear a leather shoe in an office all day before going hunting...their feet were tougher!

I cant wear "normal" trainers for running at all now, even if you run midfoot the heel section will "get in the way" (i find)

[Hoofy]

MocMocaMoc said:

Haha, I ran over a road the other day (and into a pub). I was wearing those daft deck shoes, which obviously have no cushion so instinctively ran barefoot style... My mate, not at all into running, commented...

"that's the gayest run I've ever seen"

Fair play, it must have looked a bit mincy.

I think it's fine if you're really running but if it's anything slower than a fast pace ("So you think you're Usain Bolt?") you're gonna look awkward. I guess you could consider Olympic Walking.

[Hoofy]

Tiggsy said:

Hoofy said:

Exactly. The shoes I wore are awful for walking in for long distances as I still walk heel-first (otherwise you look like you're mincing). However, they are perfectly fine for running toe-first.

Yeah, the only reason to wear barefoot shoes is because running barefoot would hurt. Cavemen didnt wear a leather shoe in an office all day before going hunting...their feet were tougher!

I cant wear "normal" trainers for running at all now, even if you run midfoot the heel section will "get in the way" (i find)

Ah, I don't run midfoot when doing this caveman running. I thought the point was that you land on the ball of the foot so you're leaning forwards more and taking smaller steps thus really absorbing any shocks.

Edit: I'm no expert on this and have only done this kind of running for 30 minutes to experiment! (I used to do cross country and 1500m at school back in the day when TVs were B&W, FWIW...)

Edited by Hoofy on Thursday 16th August 17:59

[anonymous-user]

ewenm said:

Sounds like Hoofy is sold on mid-to-fore-foot striking when running, which is sensible as that's what our feet and legs are designed to do.

You don't need barefoot/minimalist shoes to achieve that although it may well be easier for many people to achieve that strike point by using them (or go actually barefoot if they have suitable terrain/hardened feet!).

That's right. Watch elite marathon runners and there's plenty of people running with a mid foot strike and wearing shoes with a raised heel.

[Mr Pies]

I am so torn here, I really need advice. I have knee pain, both knees. Should I go barefoot or try these?

http://www.on-running.com/index.php?article_id=1

In fact my one hip is a bit iffy as well. Doctors were convinced I had rheumatoid arthritis but all tests are negative. I'm actually starting to believe its due to depression.

Sorry for the slight thread hijack op.

[JCW]

I'd buy them for looks alone plus I like the reference to their speed input! Seriously, my technique is rubbish but I'm finding my knee and ankles (all busted at some point) are much more comfortable. Calves are sore though.

[Halb]

Mr Pies said:

I am so torn here, I really need advice. I have knee pain, both knees. Should I go barefoot or try these?

You get pain from running?
Something is wrong then. Your running style? Do you ever do any strength work?

[Mr Pies]

Halb said:

You get pain from running?
Something is wrong then. Your running style? Do you ever do any strength work?

I get pain in my knees, hip and shoulders all throughout the day. Recently it's subsided a lot, since I've been feeling much happier in life actually. I haven't run for 4 years due to the pain.
Lately I've been doing a lot of power walking and weight training and I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere. I'd like to start running again as before all these problems it was my love in life.

[ewenm]

Only you can decide if it's something you want to try. Whatever you decide, take it gently, build up slowly, allow your body time to adapt to running again.

[Flaneur]

Another evangelical convert to the midfoot strike here!
When I ran with a heel strike I was getting pins and needles and numbness in my foot (from what I think was a trapped nerve). Problem stopped overnight when I swapped to a midfoot/toe strike.

I have better calves than my weightlifting OH (just sayin' ), but yes, calf pain or tight achilles tendons come with the territory. Take it easy, mix it up a bit. I still sometimes run with a heel strike for the first couple of hundred metres to warm up, or when I'm running down hill. Does anyone else do that?

[Halb]

Mr Pies said:

Lately I've been doing a lot of power walking and weight training and I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere. I'd like to start running again as before all these problems it was my love in life.

That's good then. Resistance work can strengthen those tendons/ligaments so you are sorted when you ease yourself back into it.

[Mr Pies]

Halb said:

Mr Pies said:

Lately I've been doing a lot of power walking and weight training and I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere. I'd like to start running again as before all these problems it was my love in life.

That's good then. Resistance work can strengthen those tendons/ligaments so you are sorted when you ease yourself back into it.

I have also started taking 3000mg of glucosamine a day, 1000mg flax seed oil and mega cissus. Not sure if its helping but I am definitely a lot better lately. Maybe I should find a good running shop and see what they say?

[JCW]

I am a running god! Mo Farah, move over. Managed 4.4 km tonight bouncing away so pretty chuffed, though not sure if this was down to missing out my calisthenics prior to running or cheddar cheese sandwiches/Ovaltine for lunch?

And yes, I did do the 'Mobot' when I finished but living in the middle of nowhere, no-one saw.