Comments on: Elite Males in Slow-Motion at the 2010 Boston Marathon: Cheruiyot, Merga, Kebede, Kigen, Goumri, Keflezighi, Hall

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

It appears this is a slight downhill segment of the Boston Marathon. The course drops from 129ft to 84ft from the 16.5 mile mark to the 17.5 miles. Thus, the runners are likely landing slighly further back on their foot than they would on a flat surface and definitely further back on their foot than they would on an incline.

By: stevemagness

stevemagness — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Great videos.

For what it's worth, although not near the elite level of these guys, I've filmed myself (a 4minish miler), a teammte who runs 1:45 in the 800 and a couple of national level HS kids at a variety of speeds.

And my conclusion on that small sample is that footstrike does not change a ton from easy running (7min miles) down to about 800 pace. If someone runs mile-5k pace with a midfoot strike, they'll run at 7min pace with a midfoot strike, maybe slighltly back but still midfoot. Same with if they heel strike when running slow, they will when running fast.

There's a change when it comes to full sprinting in many. It's not as clear cut. Some get more on the forefoot, some stay the same. I've seen heel strikers when running at that 800 to 7min pace range, but on their forefoot when sprinting. Similarly, I've seen heel strikers when running normal paces, continue to heel strike when sprinting.

Anyways, fascinating stuff. I'm planning on getting some high speed video this summer of elites racing on the track, so maybe we'll get some more data to work with!

By: Bob Allen

Bob Allen — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Fascinating video.

By: Clynton

Clynton — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

By: DW

DW — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

One element you may want to considered when evaluating footstrike is the slope of the running surface. If flat, you should see the runner's true footstrike. For me, a mid-foot striker, I will get more forward, maybe on the balls of my feet going uphill (even slight inclines); and usually revert to subtle to severe heel striking going downhill to lessen the impact on my feet - it's just easier for me (especially steeper hills). So you may want to make sure of the slope when evaluating a runner's strike. Good luck with your study.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Chad Tibbetts.

Chad - Excellent point. Heel strikes are highly variable, and I have seen
this clearly in the videos that I have. There's a big difference between
what Meb is doing here than in some of the really pronounced overstriders
that I have seen.
Pete

By: Tanya Reynolds

Tanya Reynolds — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Looking forward to reading your research - thanks for sharing, Peter.

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Fantastic videos,
What interests me is the dorsi flexon of the runners ankles,
Try this, stand on one leg, press your foot into the ground and lock your ankle, now lean forward,
if you kept your foot pressing into the ground you will not fall forwards.
Now stand on one leg again, this time dorsi flex your ankle and you will fall forwards!
So when you are running once the foot lands on the ground your leg bone rotates forward over the ankle joint, any pressure downwards from your foot acts like a braking force, slowings the leg bones forward rotation.
On the other hand if you actively dorsiflex your ankle once the foot has landed you can increase you forward momentum and stride length!
P.S i note Meb has had quite a few injury problems over the years, could it be his heel strike?

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Tim.

My post was meant as a general comment, not in response to Bob.

By: Bob (Downtown Runner)

Bob (Downtown Runner) — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I know this is a really small sample, and therefore we can't draw firm conclusions but I'd be interested in knowing what kinds of injuries these guys have had. The only one I know about is Meb, who suffered a hip fracture running in NYC a few years ago.....

By: colin

colin — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Awesome - thanks for these!

I think your 2nd point about speed is important. These guys are running so fast that it's a whole different ball game. They seem to be landing slightly in front of their center of gravity which is a classic no-no but probably makes sense when you are flying like that.

By: Greg Anderson

Greg Anderson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

It seems to me that age is an important factor here -- at least that has been my experience. When I was young, I was definitely a heel-striker. No one told me to land on my heels, that's just what I did the first time I put on running shoes.

By my late-30s, I started getting injuries like never before. I was ready to give up running when I heard about Chi Running. My research led me further to barefoot running, and when I tried it, Bingo!, no more injuries! Now, whether I run in shoes or barefoot, I try to have the same form and footstrike. So far, this has kept me injury-free, but I am eager to see if this remains the case as I ramp up my mileage.

As for all of these elite guys, it seems that most of them are midfoot strikers, but clearly that isn't a prerequisite for running a 2:05 as Meb has demonstrated. However, all of these guys are still fairly young.

My guess is that the midfoot strikers will continue to run relatively injury free for the rest of their lives, but the heel strikers will eventually have to make a change or stop running.

Any kind of analysis would, I think, have to take age into account.