High-Octane

Turbo torquing cowboy!

http://youtu.be/E8AAvkLztnc

Hopefully, you put out slightly less smoke.

Better watch that. YOu don't want injuries!

Tom,

Ha ha ... !

DL,

I'm being very careful. I think I need to do a little more stretching and the drills more than twice a week. The discomfort is not anywhere near injury right now, just an observation.

Would both of you go back to my blog and read the additional entry I entered today and comment? I'm looking for insight.

Thanks

In regards to running form and my knowledge of the subject, I'll quote your blog title: "I Just Run". I'm not sure of the proper form for me and I haven't really had it reviewed. When I run at the Y on the TM there is a wall of mirrors in front of me and I try to run so that I don't bounce my head out of the mirror. I'm most successful at high speeds and I feel like I mimic the elite form best when running 10 mph (a glide instead of a bounce) although I can only hold that speed a short time. I would venture a guess that Bam, Jake K, Claudio, allie, or others might have a better idea for you on your question. Very intriguing.

My only observation is that the mini skirt is not a good look for you in either diagram.

Seriously, I don't have a clue about any of the technical aspects of running form etc. I just run too :)

If only were we genetically gifted with proper funning form. Time is better spent running and doing some drills. I won't every look like that when I run, but at my level I don't think it matters. I have seen plenty of really fast runners that don't have "perfect" form. But if you want to learn a lot about form and specific exercises then get a copy of this book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDpU4zV5Gm0

Or if you are ever in Austin you can borrow my copy. :-)

I know next to nothing about running form, and have never attempted to alter my own, so I'm probably not the guy to ask. But I think the difference in the picture is speed. I bet you look like the Kenyans when you run 4:50 pace.

Nice drawings!

The Kenyan running form that you observe is probably mostly from Kenyans running hard in a major race like the Olympics. You would expect a wider stride then.

When Kenyans run slow, they run really slow like 9-10 min mile pace and they run at a shuffle. I doubt they have the wide A angle in those situations. Is your diagram for yourself when you are racing in a short race, or when you are running normally?

Well... I think your running is going well... why do I say that? Because I know so little here. Keep me posted on your findings. Sorry about not keeping up, two weeks on the road did me in.

Well, you know I'm nt crazy about my running form right now, either. I'm doing drills, like you, but I really think the big changes are going to happen as a result of speedwork. I believe as you try to go faster, you body will adjust to eliminate inefficient movements. I've heard of 3 wys to correct form: 1. Barefoot, or near barefoot running, 2. Form correcting drills, and 3. Speedwork. The logistics of the barefoot answer are hard for me to get to right now, so I'm going with the other 2. Does that help?

I just run,

I would run to what seems the most comfortable to you. If you are not having injuries and feel good running I would continue doing what you're doing.

You probably carry more body weight than them kenyan runners as do the rest of us. If the pattern of wear on your shoes is on your forefoot then I would think you're doing something right.

The more miles you run the better off in my opinion..this will help you drop weight, blood capillaries to grow, body to be better prepared for the miles..

No real answers here. I see a lot of skepticism in the professional literature about how effective it is to try to change running form. But a lot of coaches try to do it. I think the greatest determinant is ham, glute and core strength vs. body weight -- the higher that ratio the longer your stride. Elite runners almost all seem to have a longer stride rather than a faster stride, as noted in your drawings.