Odd Run in Taper Week

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2014-09-23 10:34 AM

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Subject: Odd Run in Taper Week
I did my last hard ride, a sufferfest video, on Sunday, then started my taper week today. I had Monday off.

This may have been the wrong time to start trying something different, so don't be too mean... I read the post about sports drinks, and it also mentioned on the video about shoes and fore/mid foot running. I've always had a bit of an interest in it, but never done anything about it. So today on my run of 2 x 2 mile runs. First away from my house, up a decent hill at about 1 mile, 10 minutes rest, then back down the hill home. I always aim to get back quicker than I got there.

My previous best on this run is about 14 minutes on the way out and about 13m35s on the way back.

As it's a taper week, I didn't push it, but I was looking at mid foot running. I got there in 13m48s. I didn't feel like I pushed it but I thought I was may be just fresh from a day off.

On the way back, my legs felt a bit tired, so I just tried to keep an even pace, and at one point I had to slow right down to pass people. Still working on mid foot running, I got back in 12m6s. Pretty shocked, and don't know where it came from.

Any Ideas about the run? Fresh legs? Mid foot running a lot better than heel striking first? Training suddenly a lot better (doubt it lol)?

Also, although it may not be the best time to start changing my running, do other people aim for fore/mid foot running?



2014-09-23 11:19 AM
in reply to: Eucid

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Subject: RE: Odd Run in Taper Week

Firstly- taper is not a bad time to try new things.  Race day is the bad time  so, you're good there.

There's nothing magical about heel, mid or forefoot striking.  one is not better than the other.  What you do want to avoid is 'overstriding'.  that is- when your weight comes down on your foot; your foot should be more or less underneath you, not out in front of you.  Often, heel striking is tied to overstriding, and it is inherently less efficient, as with each strike of your foot out in front of you, you are slowing yourself down a bit.

So, worry less about heel/mid/fore, and more about 'where' your foot is when it lands.  Granted, short of slow motion video, it's often difficult to really tell.  One sure way to keep your feet under you is to run with a cadence of around 180bpm.  It's nearly impossible to overstride at that cadence.  it generally takes months to re-train your body to that increased cadence (if you're not already there).

and- congratulations on the better time today.  My guess is that you're going to surprise yourself on race day as to how fast you are.  But- that's what race day is for.    good luck and have fun.

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