🚀 go-pugleaf

>
> Does the same hold for elite marathoners?  
> Back in the 70's I had read advice about having the forefoot hit first,
> roll back on the heel, then come forward off the toes.  While at Stanford in
> the early 80's, I heard Brooks Johnson give similar advice (while also
> encouraging barefoot running).  I tried to shift my footplant, but always
> felt awkward.  I eventually ran a 2:22 marathon as a heel-striker, really
> only landing on the forefoot in races when I was running 4:45/mile or faster.
>	What do the rest of you think?  Is footplant very important?
>
>	Coty Pinckney			Thomas.C.Pinckney@williams.edu

With marathoners it shouldn't be nearly toe-striking, which is probably what
you were trying to do. Long distance runners would do better with a flat
but still "active" foot plant. 

Remember the TV comentator who tried to analyze the stride mechanics of the
Barcelona Oly marathoners? He went into detail about stride angle and stride
length and knee lift and body position. Well, the main reason for developin
the correct form is to have the foot in the correct position before touchdown.

Get someone to video tape your stride and play it back in slo-mo. The instant
before impact, the foot should be moving backwards. That's "ACTIVE". To get
there requires a high heel lift, then you swing the leg under the butt with
the lower leg tucked in tightly, high knee lift and the bottom of the foot
should be paralell to the ground as the lower leg swings forward. (Most
people will point the toes down.) It takes concentration and much practice.
Work on it for 5k first, then try to hold it as long as you can for 10k and
gradually work up in distance all the while concentrating on stride mechanics.

It ain't easy.

Re: the barefoot thread. Yes indeed it is a good idea. It strengthens the foot
muscles and connective tissues. I wrote something about that recently too.
I'll post it in a few minutes.
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Jack Berkery, Computer Scientist, GE Research, Schenectady NY
  berkery@crd.ge.com  "The Common Sense Coach"