Gravity is a vertical force, so horizontal motion doesn’t change it. COG is
the average location of the weight of an object, which in humans is around
the hips, and gravity works to drive the center mass of the body into the
ground. When talking about landing under the COG, you will also see “land
directly under your hips” used interchangeably. This does not happen in
practice. I’m no physicist, but I think you are thinking about momentum.

Pete

Dave and Pete – I got the book just over a week ago, and like Pete, I finished it in 3 days. There is some really good information to consider and how to apply it to my own running. For years I have been trying to improve my own form for better running economy – but there was one point that hit home which I am starting to incorporate…

In an attempt to stop over-striding, years ago I started to play with my form and land more on the forefront/balls of my feet. It took time to adapt, but after 3-4 months it became natural and my times improved. However, I was bouncing more with each stride and didn’t know how to correct this. I didn’t consider that I could still be over-striding by landing on the front of my feet and this was the cause of my bouncing. BTW – my daughter (who runs with me on occasion) is the one who pointed out my bouncing stride.

The thing I’m focused on to correct this is – glancing down occasionally to see if I can see my foot. If I can, I know I’m reaching out too far and need to shorten my stride.

The other thing I’m working on is letting my heal settle to the ground before it goes into the lever phase.

My goals in incorporating these changes are to (a) reduce occurrences of injuries, (b) improve running economy and (c) see if there are things I want to incorporate into the training of the athletes I coach.

I’ll see how things go for me over the next few months and maybe post an update with my progress. But so far, I do feel a little more relaxed when I run and am little less fatigued when done.

My only comment/suggestion is that the book be release in an e-reader format. Hopefully this is in the works.

Puff-Daddy

I think it’s not so much that the foot strikes harder just because there’s material there. More that it striked harder when there’s something cushioned under it.

I held the shoe but didn’t try it on the show floor. Amazingly lightweight.

I remember an article in Runner’s World around ’93-’95 on the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico. Seems funny that the barefoot and minimalist running movement didn’t come out of that round of press.

Sadly, we’re all guilty of it to a degree. I advertise for Running Warehouse
and use Google ads because I need to justify the time I put into this blog.
That being said, one can still be honest and do advertising. I find that
some companies want to hear about flaws in their products so that they can
correct them. My bigger problem with most mass media reviews is that they
are usually superficial and uninformative, which makes one think even more
that they are just advertising pieces. I go to blogs for reviews (Running
and Rambling, iRunFar, and the like) because you know the reviewers and can
interact with them and ask questions. We all advertise, but we try to be
honest.

Pete

Cool – thanks for sharing it. Have you tried out the shoe?

Pete

Jason,

I agree – it’s a good cue, but it’s not reality. It’s a pet peeve of mine
when people say that we should do it without ever acknowledging that it
doesn’t happen in reality. It’s not good biomechanics.

As for the strengthening, I didn’t read them in depth, but I don’t think
there’s much there that will be new to you. If you do pick the book up, I’d
love to hear what you think.

Pete

Looks interesting for sure. Does it have the lugs? Not sure how those
would feel in a flat.

Pete

On Wednesday, January 5, 2011, Disqus

Sounds like an interesting book. I have been a Newton fan for about a year now. Just bought a pair of the neutral Newton racing shoe. My son (perfect forefoot runner) loves them as well. I agree on the comment on color though I think I like the racing shoe color.

One thought on your “point of question” with Abshire’s quote on “The process of sensory communication.” Though I agree with you that Newton shoes do not give you a feel for the ground (like barefoot running) and can see how Abshire’s statement struck you as odd (maybe even contradictory) – however, I think he is just being honest.

To clarify – Abshire could have used his book to push his product (which maybe he is in other parts of the book – again, I haven’t read it yet), but based on the snip-it you quoted, it sounds like he is taking his “Newton hat” off and giving the reader unbiased information to consider.

Again, good book review and the Christmas card picture of your shoes is pretty cool. I think just about every major brand of footwear it represented.

Signed,
A fellow shoe addict who has given up on recovery.