Health & Fitness
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How to run?

This seems like a silly question, but how do you run? I just recently started c25k. My husband and friend were watching me run and both told me I was doing it wrong. My husband says when my foot comes down, my heel should hit first and roll towards my toes. His friend says I should be running on the balls of my feet with my heels not hitting the ground at all. They both say I'm coming down flat footed (my whole foot hitting the ground at once) which I had not noticed I was doing. So what is the correct way to run?

Also, this is a post and run. I got called in to work. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Re: How to run?

  • imagepurrasaurus:

    This seems like a silly question, but how do you run? I just recently started c25k. My husband and friend were watching me run and both told me I was doing it wrong. My husband says when my foot comes down, my heel should hit first and roll towards my toes. His friend says I should be running on the balls of my feet with my heels not hitting the ground at all. They both say I'm coming down flat footed (my whole foot hitting the ground at once) which I had not noticed I was doing. So what is the correct way to run?

    Noooo!  Was his friend a sprinter? That's terrible advice to someone trying to run a 5k.  That's a one way ticket to injury town.

    Consider checking this book out:
    image

  • I've been told that a mid-foot strike is best. A heel strike (what your husband said to do) can also lead to injury and is ultimately less efficient.  

    Toe runners just look funny.

    So really, based on what I've read/been taught, you're doing it right. You should land, lightly, midfoot, then propel forward from there.


  • I'm doing C25k and running how you describe (mid-foot). I've read Born to Run and other stuff about barefoot running, etc. and it seems like that is where the recommendation might be coming from. Personally, I'm focused on learning to run and running the way that comes 'naturally' to me (I realize that I'm running in unnatural shoes, etc.). But I feel like that's the first step before even thinking about trying to adjust my stride...seems like that needs to be done very cautiously to avoid injury.

    I will say that if I run in my front yard playing with my dogs that I've noticed I run on the balls of my feet more...but that is very different than running on the treadmill or down the street.

    imageimage
  • You may want to read up on POSE running too. It's much easier to start out this way than correct bad habits (which is what I'm trying to do).

    Either way...good luck!

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  • JenMJMJenMJM member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    imageJayandJack:

    You may want to read up on POSE running too. It's much easier to start out this way than correct bad habits (which is what I'm trying to do).

    Either way...good luck!

    Yes, yes, and YES! I'm barefoot running now because I couldn't break the heal strike habit, even in semi-minimal shoes.  I was getting really bad shin splints again from the heel striking.

    Go here: http://www.newtonrunning.com/run-better/natural-running-styles?gclid=CNvX_Zet568CFQaxnQodBlvEVg

    Also, when you mid-foot strike, your heel should lightly touch the ground before lifting your foot.  Otherwise, you will be doing all your running on your toes and your calves will hate you.

    Sunshine-n-Wine Travel Blog
    image

  • Thank you everyone! I will definitely let my husband and friend know (neither of them are runners btw). I will also be checking out all of the books and links. Thanks again!
  • also, there are plenty of running shops that will put you on a treadmill and evaluate your gait.  for free.  it changed my whole approach (as well as the shoes i was purchasing).
    2012 Races:
    Emerald Nuts Midnight Run (4m) 1/1/12
    Coogan's Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks Run (5k) 3/4/12
    Colon Cancer Challenge (15k) 4/1/12
    Purple Stride NYC (5k) 4/21/12
    Run to Combat Autism (5k) 4/29/12
    RnR Philadelphia (Half Marathon) 9/16/12
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