I actually sent that link to Steve :) i had Mosop in mind when i read that turkey article…it’s a good question, and I’m not sure of the answer, but i suspect it might be the case.
Sent from my iPad

Yes, and as they point out in that thread, she heel strikes, but does not appear to overstride (like Meb). It’s the combo that seems to be the problem. As I like to say, there’s more than one way to be a heel striker.

http://www.futurity.org/scienc…

The interesting part for me is how the turkeys are pre-activating their muscle to prevent them from lengthening on impact, instead using their tendons to handle the impact, then post impact letting their muscles lengthen.  Is this happening to us when we run?  I would guess it’s quite likely, especially for those of Moses Mosop :-)

Thanks for posting this data again, Pete.  And thanks for the video, Mark.  I also watched the race in Chicago, and it’s also worth noting that Mosop runs with his head tilted back (like a sprinter) and his torso twisted significantly to one side — two quirks that I would normally try to eliminate in an amateur distance runner’s form. However, clearly there is no need to tamper with Mosop’s running style!  In fact, seeing him run, as well as seeing the pictures and data you have posted on the form(s) of other elites, makes me want to rethink the practice of messing around with people’s form to begin with…Aside from discouraging something like a runner’s tendency to overstride dramatically, maybe we should leave well enough alone.

Which is what we agreed upon on RunnersRoundTable. All heel-strikers are not created equal and the key is the big “O”, Overstriding.

I’m sure some will. However, it’s very hard to tease apart just what makes one elite better than another. Could be technique, but could also be better training, physiology, etc. Or maybe oner was just in better shape on a given race day.

I’d love some high-speed data on Paula Radcliffe. She also has a springy stride and was minutes faster than other elite women marathoners.

What’s amazing about the gait of the first five finishers is that their pace, though an amazing ~4:40-4:50 doesn’t *seem* fast at all. Frankly I’m a bit perplexed since normally I’m quite accurate in assessing the approximate speed of other runners with a quick glance, but these elites totally shift my perspective since they look so naturally relaxed!