General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Running on ice - help improve form? Rss Feed  
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2011-12-29 5:42 PM

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Subject: Running on ice - help improve form?

I went for run this afternoon, and out of boredom with my route I went ahead and ran clear across a frozen lake, in between the fish houses to the other beach, then back home on the road.  The route looks great on google maps!

But while running across the ice I had a thought:  Is it possible this will force me to run properly, because if I continue heel striking I'm going to wipe out?  I also found alot more effort went into stabilizing each foot strike.

The only drawback is that if you haven't spent your entire life on ice (as I nearly have via hockey) there's a small chance you could slip and get injured.


Any thoughts?



2011-12-29 6:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?

Please don't take this the wrong way but my thought is that you are way over-thinking this.  Just run.

2011-12-29 6:07 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?
When I run on ice I've noticed I use my core a lot more to keep my balance. So it turns into a pretty good ab workout. I still try to avoid ice, though. Not worth the risk of a broken ankle/wrist/face/head.
2011-12-29 6:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?
Here is Pose founder Dr. Romanov's demonstration. I don't think he recommends it as an everyday drill, though....
2011-12-29 6:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?
I'll take bad form over ice running.Laughing
2011-12-29 6:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?
Climbinggonzo - 2011-12-29 5:42 PM

The only drawback is that if you haven't spent your entire life on ice (as I nearly have via hockey) there's a small chance you could slip and get injured.


Any thoughts?

More than a small chance!I tried running after an ice storm last year-sprained my ankle almost imediately

But not much of an option right now though-60 degrees and sunny today



2011-12-29 7:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?
dano-oly - 2011-12-29 5:19 PM

Here is Pose founder Dr. Romanov's demonstration. I don't think he recommends it as an everyday drill, though....



Yeah, I know a barefooted guy who has taken to running on lakes in walmart aqua socks, or just socks. Crazy.

IMPORTANT, when you fall, break your fall with your shoulder or forarm, not your hand.
2011-12-29 8:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?

I'm still surprised you ran across the lake.  There's clear water in every body of water I have seen!  Must be colder up there...

I definitely use different stabilizing muscles when I run when the sidewalks are very icy.  I quit doing that as much as possible because I am not going to risk a broken ankle.   I'd stick to the road if I were you.

2011-12-29 10:00 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?

Up here it's been cold enough, unless there's any wind.  The lake I went across the ice was 8-12 inches thick the entire way (about a mile) across.  The lake on the other side of the road where I came out is half open water still.

I'm glad to see I'm not just an idiot for doing it, and that there's others out there that have done this (to an extent) and even find it helpful for form like that one video showed.

2011-12-30 6:58 AM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?
Climbinggonzo - 2011-12-29 6:42 PM

But while running across the ice I had a thought:  Is it possible this will force me to run properly, because if I continue heel striking I'm going to wipe out?


No, it won't force you to "run properly". I'm not even sure what "running properly" is.

As has been said numerous times here and elsewhere, heel striking is not an issue. I heel strike, many elite marathoners heel strike. The part of your foot that touches ground first is not indicative of anything at all.

I also found alot more effort went into stabilizing each foot strike.

The only drawback is that if you haven't spent your entire life on ice (as I nearly have via hockey) there's a small chance you could slip and get injured.



So, you spent much more effort trying to stay upright than you did actually running. This does not sound like a good way to spend your running time, because you don't need to work on stability, you need to work on endurance.

While the workout may have been enjoyable, I would look back and ask myself, "Did I accomplish my training goals with this workout?"
2011-12-30 7:04 AM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?

BigDH - 2011-12-29 8:10 PM IMPORTANT, when you fall, break your fall with your shoulder or forarm, not your hand.

And exactly how does one remember to do that when one is falling?? Tongue out

I break falls with my knees all the time, but that's because I spent years playing roller derby and we actually practiced falling correctly at every practice, so it's ingrained. We also wore knee pads. Now I have scars on both knees from tripping over things while running.



2011-12-30 7:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?
Seems like a terrible idea to me - lots of downside, little to no upside.

Shane
2011-12-30 9:03 AM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?

I ran in icy conditions numerous times last year as my routes often hit numerous areas of sidewalk and/or bike trail that aren't regularly cleared of snow, and I didn't consider venturing into the street to be a safe option, and I couldn't get to the gym treadmill for whatever reason.  It's different to be sure.  I end up using a short, choppy stride where I don't pick my feet up as much, sort of halfway between running and skating.  The end result is that yes my ankles feel it a bit more from the additional stabilization needed, but I'm not using the big leg muscles I usually need more in running as much like my calves and quads since I'm not really using them to get a push.  I don't feel them as much after those runs.  That could be either good or bad I suppose.  Good in that it's less wear and tear, but maybe bad in that they're not actually getting worked as much as they need to.  It's better than not going out at all but I don't care to make a habit of it.

 

2011-12-30 1:59 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?
My risk vs. reward meter is telling me you'd be better off form running elsewhere. Why increase your chance of injury if you don't have to?
2011-12-30 5:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?
I'm not sure, but a while back I refused to skip a training run on a icy/snowy day and got a few months off for IT band syndrome for my dedication.  I remember my legs sliding around too much.  I'll run in the cold, but ice and snow have me on the treadmill now.
2011-12-30 9:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?

Dayam! You must be waaaay up Nort! We don't have but a few little frozen bird sized icebergs floating around here in mostly open water.

I run year round and now that you mention it, my stride does get shorter on ice and I engage my core more. I also try to stay 'loose' so not to tense up if I start to loose my edge. I run alot in the wee hours of the a.m. which also impairs my vision even with a headlamp so I run in the road/side because I find that sidewalks tend to be too uneven and those that are not cleared can have big chunks or heaves of ice which tend to make my ankles roll and I'm too dang old to be wiping out LOL! Be safe out there!



2011-12-30 9:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?
Climbinggonzo - 2011-12-29 4:42 PM

I went for run this afternoon, and out of boredom with my route I went ahead and ran clear across a frozen lake, in between the fish houses to the other beach, then back home on the road.  The route looks great on google maps!

But while running across the ice I had a thought:  Is it possible this will force me to run properly, because if I continue heel striking I'm going to wipe out?  I also found alot more effort went into stabilizing each foot strike.

The only drawback is that if you haven't spent your entire life on ice (as I nearly have via hockey) there's a small chance you could slip and get injured.


Any thoughts?



I'm not sure why so many negative thoughts on this. It sounds like fun, a great change up. Yes, ice can be dangerous, but lake ice is not a slippery as road & sidewalk ice. While heel striking is not an issue, overstriding is...and yes, this will keep you from overstriding.

It will also cause other changes in your run, but hey, it's still an alternating, weight bearing activity. If you feel pretty confident you're not going to get hurt based on the traction available and your comfort on ice in the first place, I don't see any reason not to make this a fun, weekly cross training activity.
2011-12-30 10:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?

I just don't see running on the ice as a fun alternative at all, but to each his own.  If someone is looking for cross training ideas, buy a pair of speed skates, running snowshoes, skate skis, etc.

But the original post was about correcting a perceived problem with his running form (e.g., heel striking).  How bad can the form be that ""ice running" is the solution?  Sounds a little far-fetched to me.

2011-12-30 11:23 PM
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Subject: RE: Running on ice - help improve form?

Two words...

"Screw shoes."

 

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