Running

[Trevrev]

To the runners amongst us, due to recent running injuries i'm changing my running style from heel strike to forefoot as this is meant to be kinder on the joints.
Has anyone on here made this change and was it successful?
It's a hard one to get used to, very hard on the calf muscles.

Be interesting to hear some views on this.

Trev.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I wasn't a heel striker, but I had a heavy foot strike, which I thought might be causing me injuries. I bought some Terra Plana Vivo Evos recently, which simulate barefoot running. They replicate running barefoot. They take some getting used to, and they're quite expensive, but it's impossible to heel strike in them without soon getting a bad headache.

 

[MLC]

For some reason I have always naturally run on the balls of my feet and still do.

So alas I can't tell you about the switch although I actually tried to run heel first but couldn't do it, it felt weird.

My feet do feel like they get flatter when I get tired and I can also sympathise with the calves taking a bashing as they do when I run, I really have to strech them out. Having said that my quads usually hurt as well.

 

[Trevrev]

I'm off to a running shop tomorrow to see what advice they can offer. Also to see what range of trainers they have for the forefoot landing.
Hopefully when i master the technique, which seems to be getting easier each time i run, i should be injury free!

 

[paraffinlamps]

I have osteoarthritis in my right knee and changed from running on my heels to my forefoot ,to see if it helped.It was less painful while running ,however over distances of more than 5 miles I found it much harder on the muscles and couldn`t really run more than 8miles .
After running however the pain from arthritis was still the same . I suppose it depends on the type of injury you have.
The best advice I ever had regarding helping protect joints was to run off road as much as possible ,sadly I took it too late .

 

[Beebo]

I weigh 16 half stone and have a heavy heel strike so not an ideal distance runners build. I have run a couple of off road marathons but could never get used to running on the balls of my feet. As OP says it hurt my calf and shin after a couple of miles, and once fatigue kicks in you get lazy and go back to a heel strike.

To solve my problems I opted for orthotics in my shoe to protect the heel and still run with a heel strike but i makes sure i have shoes designed for heavy runners and heel strikers.

 

[mr Mag00]

hi, loads of info and advice on tritalk forum, v good place for advice.

 

[The Jogger]

I have never been a heel strike runner. Do a search for chi running, lots of people swear by this to avoid injury.

 

[Globalti]

Try running barefoot. Read this: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/mos...-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html

 

[Ravenbait]

After sustaining serous injury to my foot last year, resulting in permanent changes, I've invested in some Vibram Five Fingers. I've taken this year off racing entirely in a effort to give myself plenty of time to recover fitness, and do it slowly and properly. It's a completely different experience, and I was always a midfoot striker before.

Interestingly, when I try running in trainers my calves breathe a sigh of relief but my foot hates it. Even with orthotics.

Sam