http://hoopspeak.com/2011/02/superstars-signature-shoes-nba-running-form/ The article ponders the questions of why we pay so much for cushioned/supportive shoes that only allow us to run improperly? These shoes even allowed a great athlete like Jordan to run like a "lazy man."
Can we still benefit from technology (cushion/support) and run with good form? Yes, but we must take an active role and not allow the shoe to do the work for us. We have become victims of technology and it has allowed us to run with a lazy stride. What do I mean by a lazy stride? We allow our feet to just fall to the ground. When we do this we land smack on our heals.
How can we overcome this "lazy stride" and run with a more active stride so we don't heel strike and run inefficiently for miles upon miles? Use what nature has giving us... our gluteus maximums (butts) and our quads, two of the strongest muscles in our bodies. The powerhouse of our stride. This is where the majority of the force for each stride comes from. Let the force be with you!
Ques to think about when on all your runs.
- Actively place your foot on the ground underneath you. As soon as your forward (recovery) moving foot comes in line with your planted (supportive) foot start actively placing it back on the ground. Don't just let it fall to the ground... cushioned/supportive shoes allow this to happen. Don't be a passive runner. Be an active runner, in control of each stride you take. Another way to think of it is as stepping over your foot that is on the ground and as soon as you step over it put your foot back on the ground.
- Allow your stride to lengthen from behind you. Your stride length comes from behind you (not in front of you). This causes a stretch reflex. The longer the stretch (drive), the more powerful your leg will snap back and recover. Think of a rubber band. If you stretch it a little to shoot it across a room it goes nowhere. If you really stretch it out and shoot it across the room you can cover a great distance.
- Lead with your hips... think of pushing them forward. The powerhouse of your running stride needs to be active and in the lead.
- Recovery, support, drive. Be aware of each of the three phases of a stride, and what your hips/legs/feet are doing in each.
2 comments:
Good article, but comparing it to basketball players may be a little to nit picky. Running in the open court for a fast-break would certainly apply to the argument, but when cutting, stopping, and performing quick fakes and sharp movements to get past a defender, proper running form must be abandoned. Many of the pictures taken of these players are when they are making a "move" to get past an opponent, something we nearly never do when simply running.
Dr. Doug. Thanks for the comment. Yes I do agree that the comparison of running to playing basketball might be comparing apples to oranges. I thought the article made a good case for how a well cushioned/supportive running shoe can make for a "passive stride" as I like to call it. I'm not in favor of going to the other extreme of running around town barefoot... but just that we become more aware of how we are running... and something using extreme examples can help to get a point across.
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