The Running/Keeping Fit Thread

[Norbs]

4 in a row!

[Rich]

Well I'm 17st 7lb - does that make me the heaviest person contributing to this thread?

[PTP]

yeah but your 7 foot 3 rich - poor norbs is 5 foot 4

[Rowan]

I think my inability to run might stem from the following

1) Weighing 14st
2) Being 44yrs old
3) Never having run since school until last year

All things considered I'm doing ok

True but as your just starting again you might as well do it with decent technique

I was in the same boat as you (albeit 15 stone-ish smoker) and it took 3 years of heel striking to totally **** up my knee. I moved to forefoot. Well midfoot striking, and although your calves will hurt like a mutha****er at first you'll be thankful later. Takes the pressure of the shins and knees you see.

[Norbs]

Well I'm 17st 7lb - does that make me the heaviest person contributing to this thread?

yeah but your 7 foot 3 rich -

If this is true then we should start making calculations based on steps taken

True but as your just starting again you might as well do it with decent technique

I was in the same boat as you (albeit 15 stone-ish smoker) and it took 3 years of heel striking to totally **** up my knee. I moved to forefoot. Well midfoot striking, and although your calves will hurt like a mutha****er at first you'll be thankful later. Takes the pressure of the shins and knees you see.

They can't hurt more than already I'll get myself a used copy off eBay. Q for you, how will I know I've changed my technique when I only go out on my own at the moment?

[Rowan]

If this is true then we should start making calculations based on steps taken



They can't hurt more than already I'll get myself a used copy off eBay. Q for you, how will I know I've changed my technique when I only go out on my own at the moment?

When I switched I had to focus pretty keenly on what I was trying to do. I had to almost tell myself on each stride that I should land on the front of my foot and amend my stride to do so. Try to imagine that your striking foot is landing under you rather than in front of you and that you are landing on your toes.

Other things... Try to keep your arms bent at least at a 90 degree angle (although I don't) I find the thumb trick easier where the thumb on your lead arm should point towards your face at the top of its incline. Helps with speed and form.

You'll be able to tell if your stride is changing as the grips on your sneakers should start wearing out at the front and being more intact on the heels. I outer-pronate so the outside front of my running sneakers wear quickest.

[Pablo]

Would striking with the forefoot or midfoot put extra strain on my achilles? I'd be willing to adjust my striking if it meant less wear and tear on my achilles? What is best to avoid achilles problems?

[Rowan]

In my experience it's limited the pressure on all areas as you don't land as hard for one thing and aren't almost slamming the brakes on with each stride. Biomechanically it's much more efficient (and will also make you faster )

[Pablo]

**** it, I'm going to try it on my next run. What do I do? Just try to focus on landing each time with the front of my foot rather than the heel?

[Rowan]

**** it, I'm going to try it on my next run. What do I do? Just try to focus on landing each time with the front of my foot rather than the heel?

Yup. In theory the exaggerated attempt to get you on the front of your foot should actually get you in the middle if that makes sense. Don't worry if your calves hurt. They will for the first few runs out. Also don't be concerned about sliding back on to your heels. It'll happen as you tire and eventually you'll train the move out of you.

Imagine you're leaning forward a little. Gravity should pull you towards your forefoot and as I said to Norbs you ideally want you strike to be directly beneath you. Not in front.

Hopefully Dan'll be along soon as he knows the trainer science side of this. I had to change out of necessity (too many injuries).

[Norbs]

Rowan, is this the aim? Would you recommend barefoot running shoes to someone looking to attempt to mid-strike?

[ame="http://vimeo.com/21291921"]http://vimeo.com/21291921[/ame]

[Norbs]

And what would happen if you wore a pair of these and then heel struck/strikeded/striken? Would that be certain death?

[Norbs]

And

Sod carrying a metronome around with you, just stick this on your music player

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eiQTFcFPDY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eiQTFcFPDY[/ame]

[RoadEnd]

Rowan: 29.1km
Pablo: 17.91km
Rich: 13.8km
Lee: 11.6km
Chazza: 11.6km
RoadEnd: 11.4km
Norbs: 10.7km
Alex: 3.9km
PTP: 3.11km
Slinky: 2.78km

A cheeky 2 miler just before dinner this pm.

I read a little bit about cadence a while back. If you increase your cadence (how often your feet touch the ground) it can help prevent knee injuries. Essentially, the longer your stride, the longer your feet are off the ground, then the bigger the impact.

The magic number is 90 steps or 180 if counting both feet.

http://fellrnr.com/wiki/Cadence

[PTP]

Oooossh just done 3.52km to be added...once again I have a screen shot from micoach if needed.

That one hurt though....I'm not tired, didn't feel tired or lacking energy by my legs/shins felt leg they were going to explode. Feel I could run further stamina wise but prob overdone having had a run Sunday/footy Monday/run tonight.....so rest day tomorrow, footy thurs, rest Friday and either Saturday/Sunday I'll be hoping to do a 5km

On another sort of related note...

This weekend was prob the best behaved I've had in years...stayed in, didn't get bladdered, didn't snort anything, didn't eat takeaways, run Sunday, footy Monday and didn't go the pub after for the usual 3-4 pints and run tonight

I feel really good/positive, I've slept better, woke fresher and generally been in a much better mood

One love shabba

Just don't mention the Mersey tunnel tho