Comments on: Foot Strike Photos from the NYC Barefoot Run

By: Pete Larson

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

In reply to rgn8791.

Thanks for the comment! The push off post is a good idea, hope to get to it someday. I think that is another of those suggestions that is impossible in practice, more a cue than reality.

On Wednesday, September 28, 2011, Disqus <

By: Runningman72

Runningman72 — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think it is a learned gait process from wearing shoes and running in correctly. They individually need to reprogram body kinesthetics to change old habits.

By: Ericj076

Ericj076 — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to cheryl.

yes, but he grew up barefoot. which is a major reason (efficiency) he has an advantage over american runners.

By: rgn8791

rgn8791 — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Another great post on your blog.

I really like your detailed observation, and more importantly, that they are recorded for all to see. It's good to see some sort of raw footage from arguably a very wide sample of runners.

The more I watch these videos, the more I think that I am an anomally when I re-tooled my running form to a) not over-stride and b) land on my forefoot/midfoot. As I commented on your earlier, mid-foot post, I am quite surprised that it has taken me less than 8 weeks to get, what I have had several coaches now verify, is a very efficient and "natural" running form.

Now, alongside the "landing your foot under your C.O.G." post, I would like you to see if it is indeed possible to run without "pushing" off with your rear leg/foot (sprinting, of course, is excluded in this exercise).

Would love to have a dialogue about this key component to Pose, Chi, Natural Running, etc...

Maybe a future blog topic?!

Cheers and keep up the great work.

By: Pete Larson

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

In reply to Mark Cucuzzella.

Mark - all of the feet had great form!

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By: Mark U.

Mark U. — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think Semajdunn hit the nail on the head with his summary of how many runners landing strike pattern changes both with by the type of shoe they're wearing and the surface that they are landing on. I'm also convinced that as with many observations the Hawthorne effect is highly applicable. In other words the runner's knowledge of being observed (especially by a high-speed camera or someone perceived as knowledgeable) has a profound *short-term* impact on their running style.

By: Pete Larson

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

In reply to Mark U..

I have ways of trying to avoid the Hawthorne effect - camera was behind a tree and fire hydrant, I was standing up along the roadside away up the rosd from the camera holding my iPhone toward the oncoming runners as if I was taking still shots. My sense was that very few noticed the high speed camera on the ground. I also told only a few people about what I was doing in advance.

By: Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Is it me or do the first two images look like it's the exact same runner, with different running gear photoshopped on or something?! Crazy how the leg and foot position is so similar.

By: Robert Osfield

Robert Osfield — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Pete, is there any chance you can track down some of the various runners you have video of and find out their case histories i.e how long have they run barefoot/minimalist, what shoes do they wear during the day, what is their previous history of foot strike, injury history etc.

By: Pete Larson

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

In reply to Coachgaryb.

He may very well be. But, I'd be willing to bet that he's not an overstriding heel masher like a lot of the folks you see at a local 5K. All heel strikes are not the same.

By: Kiwi Steve

Kiwi Steve — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Pete, I think it has alot to do with what we do growing up as our bodies develop. I had never owned a pair of running shoes growing up, I did all my running barefoot without a thought, as I guess many kids did down here in New Zealand did in the 70's. I bought my first pair of running shoes at 25 yrs and had nothing but trouble with shin splints to the point that a well meaning podiatrist made me a pair orthotics to slip into my already heavily supported Asics. This only served to make everything 10 times worse.
After stupidly perservering on and of for another 10 years, I saw the light again after reading Chi Running 4 years ago and was immediately back to forefoot striking in my still chunky shoes. It came naturally, I guess as Chris McD puts it, I was born to do it and it certainly felt that way!
I have never looked back and can only wear minimalist shoes now. I suppose there is a lesson for all parents, let your kids be kids and run the way they were born to, barefoot, at least until their bones and muscoskeletal system have matured.

Thanks for putting up with my rant, I am a big fan, Keep up the good work.

Kiwi Steve

By: Pete Larson

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

In reply to Chris Van Dyke.

Chris,

i'll keep an eye out for it - should be easy to find.

Send me an email from the contact tab above and I'll see if I can get you the footage.
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