Advise on how to run - am I wrecking my feet?

Delorian

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, feel free to leave a link if it is. I searched but couldn't find anything.

My dad has been running for years and when he got me into it, he advised me to run on the balls of my feet. After some time, I got used to this and now that's the only way I run.

My friend has been seeing a physio and I asked him to ask the physio if it is ok for me to run this way. Apparently he laughed and said I was in the 1% of people that run this way and I'll wreck my feet.

So I tried running more normally, but to me it feels very ploddy and tougher on the joints, as oppose to running on the balls, which feels to me more springy, but more intense on the calves.

Is anyone here able to advise on what's right and wrong, or how right and wrong either is? Ideally I'd like to get advise from someone who knows about feet, muscles and joints, and running, not one or the other. But I'll be happy with any advise you can give.

BTW, in terms of my level, I've done two 10k's (bout 50mins) and a few months ago did my first half marathon (1hr 45mins). I intend moving towards full marathon within a year.

tunney

Google mid foot running, fore foot running and heel striking.

Sorry not more specific but more specific would be borderling medical advice.

MrCreosote

Here's one take on it:

http://www.sportsscientists.com/2008/04/running-technique-footstrike.html

macinalli

I used to run that way, but as you say it's very severe on the calves and puts them under a lot of stress. Did a couple of marathons running this way but every time picked up a calf related injury during training (marathon training is pretty unforgiving).

Anyhoo, earlier this year I went to one of Catriona McKiernans chi running workshops and she spent most of her time with me on the way that my foot was hitting the ground. Have since changed the way that I run (not easy, takes a lot of concentration at the start) and Dingle last week was my first marathon where I had a completely clear training run. Died on the hills but that was a different thing!

The workshops may seem pricy but if you're planning on marathons then I'd recommend them - you could save a lot of frustration and physio bills...

Delorian

Thanks for your responses guys. From what I've seen, there doesn't seem to be any right or wrong way, which I guess is kinda good, but I would have preferred an answer one way or the other. Most of the articles deal with changing to or not changing to forefeet running rather than changing back if you are, like myself, in that minority.

Over the past few runs I have changed to landing mid-foot. I'm not running very long distances, am getting back into it, so want to try now. Here are some things that I've found or have occurred to me (bearing in mind I'm not a medical guy or anything, just giving my two cents):

• Reckon it's easier to move from forefoot running to mid-foot, and once I keep the runs short, it's maintainable for the whole run
• My dad, after many years of running, has busted his Achilles - an injury linked to forefeet running, which is what he's been doing
• My calves do seem better and less tight when trying to midfoot run
• My knee, which has a torn ACL, seems a bit more tender when trying to midfoot run
• Speed does not seem as much affected as initially thought, but I do think my forefoot running is faster, certainly feels some way so

Right now, with a dodgy knee, I know I don't want to damage that further. However, sparing my calves would be good too as calf fatigue can be very bad, particularly when trying to get back into running after a few weeks off, hurts my motivation trying to walk for two days after a run.

I reckon, although it might be a bad idea, while I am doing short runs, I'm going to set off in one style or the other and see how it feels for the duration of the run. If nothing else it'll keep things interesting and I am really enjoying running at the mo.