- Site:
- http://predawnrunner.com
- Miles:
- 7855 total / 1050 in 2013
- Goal:
New marathon PR at Akron 2013, and help others while building Team Predawn Runner along the way.
Greg Strosaker new blog post - http:...
Track and share your training!
Dailymile makes it easy to keep track of your workouts. Map your routes and share with a community of active people.
New blog post - http://predawnrunner.com/heel-strike - I'm a Heel-Striker and I'm OK. Pointing out once again that the case for midfoot striking and minimalist shoes has become a bit oversimplified.
People who liked this Note
Oh, now you've done it. Here come the purists...
about 1 year ago • Like • 1 person
Great post Greg, I completely agree!! After I tore my plantar fascia ligament last season I took a Bio-Mechanics class to work on my form and then transitioned into different shoes. My form is by no means perfect and may never be but it does seem to be an improvement and my efforts mostly are to be injury free, if speed should come with it that would be a bonus! :)
about 1 year ago • Like
Interesting and thought provoking article.
about 1 year ago • Like
At the running 101 meeting I went to last month, the physical therapist said that barefoot running is his economic stimulus package...which means good for him, not so much for the runners!!!
about 1 year ago • Like • 1 person
Very interesting, Greg. Through personal experimentation with stride and cadence and alternating training shoes (Kinvaras and a standard NB stability with a bigger heel to toe difference), I have remained injury free despite increasing mileage considerably. Something I could not have done previously without some sort of injury. And for the record, I tend to be a light heel striker now.
about 1 year ago • Like • 1 person
@Steve, I think your approach is correct, viewing shoes as a means to an end and not the end in and of themselves.
about 1 year ago • Like
More common sense, well done for putting it down in writing. I personally find that my running form and staying largely injury free has been helped by maintaining a good volume (ie: running more, but learning where my limits are), and by varying paces and the surface I run on. As for shoes, I have a small selection that I rotate which stress my feet in different ways. No model is perfect, but I generally go for lightweight racers/trainers that are not too pricey and which I like the colour :)
about 1 year ago • Like • 2 people
Interesting and thoughtful post, as usual, Greg. As a 6' 3" 190 lbs heel striker, I really have to focus on not hitting the ground with too much force. I notice that I do the heavy landing more when I up the mileage and am running "tired."
about 1 year ago • Like
when I read the title was not sure where you were going here! Opening a can of worms etc., but in my opinion you have come down in line with your centre of gravity on this post. Nice post, thanks!
about 1 year ago • Like • 1 person
Shoes or barefoot? Just do your own thing... for you. No justification needed, just run. If you have injuries, fix them. And if it's not broke , don't fix it. Enjoy your own journey.
about 1 year ago • Like • 1 person
Great stuff Greg. I do a little bit of everything, but have definitely become less of a heel striker, due more to focus on form and core stability than anything else. But I know for sure that late in long races the heel striking picks up & usually feels pretty good!
about 1 year ago • Like
@Mark - I agree that the late miles of long runs find me landing on my heels more but that's also most comfortable-- or less painful as the case may be-- at that time. Said another way, form goes to Hell when fatigue sets in!
about 1 year ago • Like
Well written & thoughtful post Greg. While I also suffered injury after modifying to more minimalist shoes last year, I attribute a majority of it to overtraining, relative to fitness level, and structural (in)stability. Now, w/an arsenal of PT and Core-oriented work as a staple of my routine, by embracing my natural inclination to slightly heel strike esp at the end of longer runs, and by rotating shoe & surface choices, I'm able to do more of what you advocate...be ok with me.
about 1 year ago • Like • 1 person
I completely agree, Greg. Well written. Steve said most of what I was thinking...
about 1 year ago • Like
Good info. I have always had ankles that crack and snap while running. I wonder if that will catch up with me some day ?
about 1 year ago • Like
Thanks all - @Scott, I have a hip that pops (due to leg length discrepancy, partly) and that does catch up with me from time to time as an IT band tightness. Not sure what to think about cracking ankles.
about 1 year ago • Like
Greg, did you see Jay's video about going minimal on the Running Times website?
http://wpblogs.runningtimes.com/blogs/performancepodcasts/2012/03/video-are-you-ready-to-go-minimal/
about 1 year ago • Like
Thoughtful, balanced post, Greg. I've been plagued by injuries since my kids were born and after reading BtR in 2010, did switch from heel to midfoot striking, pretty much using Pose, which does emphasize center of gravity, as a guide. Switching did help w/ chronic PF and knee pain but I got a terrible case of PTT. Lots of factors prob implicated. I love the feel of lo pro shoes, but am sticking with cushioned until I'm lighter. People have success w/ a lot of dif't things.
about 1 year ago • Like
Because I'm long winded... My husband runs barefoot and has had no injuries except to the surfaces of his feet. But he runs way less than I do. Like you, I think my injuries tend to be the result of too much running w/out the necessary strength training to support it. That, and needing to drop a bit to get down to training/racing weight. Midfoot striking does feel better, though.
about 1 year ago • Like
Thanks all - @Bob, no, I haven't yet, thanks for the reminder, I'll watch it tonight. Can't access at work.
about 1 year ago • Like
Keep the posts coming Greg! Always thought provoking.
about 1 year ago • Like