Running technique
If you want to create a debate that can easily turn into an argument with a group of runners, then bringing up running technique is a good place to start! Naturally, every runner, regardless of level or experience, has experience and an opinion on the "perfect running technique".
What has contributed to this issue in recent times is the availability of a wealth of information and "expert advice" on technique, from people who want to sell you shoes, to those you will sell you "style" if you give them enough money and six months of your running! Never before has there been such an emphasis on changing your technique for "better" running. That word - "better" - is never quite defined, and nor has it ever been scientifically tested. So when it comes to the one of the hottest topics among runners, one is limited to anecdotes and (often grand) theories.
Below are some posts we've done looking at the subject!
Ross
Running technique
- Is there is a "right" way to run?
- The Philosophy of how we run
- Biomechanical discussion and evaluation of Pose Running
- The scientific study on Pose running - what did it show?
- The second Pose study - effect of Pose on running economy
- Some suggested changes YOU can make to your running technique
- The marketing of running technique
Running economy
- What is running economy? Introduction to key concepts
- Who are the most economical runners in history?
- Biomechanics of running economy
- How can YOU improve your running through running economy?
Running shoes
- Are your shoes the CAUSE, rather than the solution of injuries?
- Running injury - Shoe or training? A debate with missing information on shoes
- Barefoot vs. shoes: Biomechanics and important concepts
- The running shoe industry: Where will we be in 10 years' time?
- The footstrike: How should your foot be landing - midfoot vs. heel vs. forefoot striking
4 Comments:
Thank you very much for writing these posts. As a new runner (1 year) this is something I have been wondering about myself. The opinion amongst most runners though seems to be that there isn't one right running technic, but that there are things that you can do wrong, that will lead to injury, e.g taking to long strides.
Do I have this correct? Ross Tucker is struggling with his running and can barely run without pain, learns pose, gets certified to teach pose and his running improves. Soon, his running becomes "automatic" so he ditches pose and goes on to write a whole blog series on who Pose does not work! Do I have it right?
The following taken from Ross' instructor page on the pose website
http://www.posetech.com/services/rosstucker.html
My personal experience with Pose
The Pose method of running has captivated my interest both from a personal and scientific point of view. Personally, I recently found myself in a situation where I found it very difficult to get back into running seriously after a fairly lengthy break from the sport, because running seemed to take so much effort. The morning after even relatively easy runs I felt muscle and joint soreness which was usually only felt after very high intensity training and I was ready to give up on training altogether.
The opportunity to learn a new running method as part of a research study being conducted here at the University of Cape Town where I study was an interesting opportunity to learn something, but I had not considered the possibility that it would be the answer to many of my running problems. After experiencing a few early difficulties in cancelling out years of bad running habits, I suddenly found that I was able to run and feel no pain, impact or soreness. I felt that I was unfit and knew how much training I had lost over the course of 11 months, but the act of running has never been as simple. I have since managed to return to the sort of training I was performing before and I feel effortless during runs which had previously been a great strain. I feel as though I recover a lot faster from training and I am looking forward to improvements in all distances with the Pose method.
From a scientific perspective, the concept of a running method which reduces injury and improves performance is too enticing to be ignored. I knew immediately that I wanted to study the method and its applications, and wanted to learn how to coach it. I am optimistic that the Pose method will become the accepted way of running one day, and feel privileged to be part of its development and progress.
Ross Tucker
Hi Anonymous
Afraid not. You asked "Do I have this correct?" and the answer is no, sorry.
I don't know if there is a date on what was written on the Pose site, but you might ask when it was written. You'd discover that it was written 7 years ago.
Your next question should be "who wrote it?" and you would learn that it is not me. It was written on my behalf as part of doing that Pose study.
So 7 years ago, marketing speak (much like those testimonies you'll read advertising revolutionary weight loss products - do you believe those?).
Of course, there is truth in what was written. The scientific basis is sound - but then, I've said that here on this site too. And yes, it is too enticing to be ignored.
But such is scientific progress - what is true today is not true tomorrow, so you should be careful about believing what was written for promotional purposes 7 years ago. They did once believe the world was flat, you know.
Ross
I started as a swimmer many years ago and recently have returned to a life of activity but bearing a shoulder injury which limits my return to swimming. I have long resisted running as I was concerned about level of injury caused to joints (but it's nice to have actual numbers and science behind what I thought was true).
I'm interested to read more of these posts (I've only read a few so far) but was curious why there was little said of the Chi technique. Also, looking at the websites it is apparent that both are geared towards marketing and not promoting running itself which is always makes me wary.
Thanks for the information and focus on this topic.
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