They all can't be "easy" runs.

Tom, if you do the form drills that break the stride down into its various components, this should help with your foot strike and help your form.

If you think about your stride and foot plant etc, while you are running, you are likely to come a cropper.

That said, if you do some drills and then some short hill blasts, you'll find this session helps with your foot strike and overall form. In fact, when you do the hill blasts after doing the drills, you can feel the different elements of your stride while you are doing the blasts. This then transfers to you normal running - not in terms of tuning into to your stride, rather it happens naturally.

1. "Cropper?"

2. Drills like this? http://youtu.be/0qQIQ624M7s

3. Thanks.

Yep, they are good drills. There are loads you can do. But they seem like a great place to start.

Tom, Not that I know a lot about running form (I know I have a lot to learn) but I studied the "Pose" running form and have tried to mimic it. It seems to take a lot of shock off of your knees, hips and legs in general. I noticed that my natural comfortable base became faster when I ran this way too. I believe, when I run "slow" I revert back to less efficient way of running. It took me a while to get the leg muscles used to the new form but now it's very comfortable. Go to this photo website and see several photos of me in my last marathon and see the way my feet hit the ground. Again...I'm no expert I'm just giving you my observations. (You may have to search under my last name - Tatum)

http://www.kreutzphotography.com/Photo_ViewTN.asp?DID=16&FID=7595&GID=1680&IMG=1&PAGE=1&PWD=&SRCH=1552&TYP=PUB

interesting...I've seen pictures of myself landing mid-foot and with a bit of a heel strike (depends on how tired I am, I think). I think I just stopped paying attention or caring.

But hey, Ryan Hall changed his foot strike so it can't be a bad idea, right?

I have a couple of other theories about this. For example, If I ran barefoot once in a while, would the form sort itself out? If I do more speed work, would the inefficient movements naturally be eliminated? I don't know. Part of me thinks this is just how I run, Part of me thinks trying SOMETHING will make me a better runner. I'm not in a position to add many miles or specialty runs, so this is what I have to work with. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Thanks all.

p.s. IJR, Seriously, What's with the tongue?

Barefoot running is certainly a viable method of moving to a mid-foot strike but you have to be careful - your calves and ankles are really going to hate you for it. Something like Vibrams are a good way to create a consequence for landing on your heels without tearing your feet apart over a relatively long distance. Vibrams on a track would be a really good idea so you don't have to deal with any rocks. You could also give Altra's a try with their zero drop, then virtually all surfaces are fare game. Whatever you decide take it slow and easy.

Tom,

If you stick your tongue out you won't heel strike for fear of biting it off from the impact!

So what I'm getting from this isthat I should keep my form work separate from my runs. I shouldn't try to do them at the same time. Okay, makes sense.

Chad, given where I live, I think this presents a perfect opportunity (excuse) to run barefot on the beach. The sand is pretty hard packed down by the water. That might be a fun transition! Thanks for the help.