I’m not an expert on the sport/hobby of running. And what I’ve learned over years of off and on running is that no one is an expert. When it comes to running, particularly correct form, no one knows what they hell they’re talking about.
Sure, that sounds cynical, but I don’t mean it that way.
There’s an entire spectrum of opinions out there, all based on running, and all of them are right, but they’re also wrong. Confused? Me too.
An expert in his field, respected by all of his peers, may step forward and say that forefoot running in the only proper way for human beings to run. It’s the way the body was meant to work. Any other way is against the human design.
Like any man of reason, he will have various sources of proof that all support his theory.
Another expert in her field, respected by her peers, could then step forward and say that mid foot running is the only proper way. It’s how the body was meant to work. Anything else is against blah, blah, blah.
As a woman of reason, she’ll have plenty of proof.
So with all that data to prove they’re both right, how could either be wrong? Don’t expect me to go into an answer, cause I don’t know. Both are smarter than I am, so who am I to say which is wrong?
The only theory that makes sense to me is that what works for one will not work for another. A percentage of runners will find best results and comfort with forefoot. Others will find their zone in mid foot. There’s still heel-toe, barefoot and other styles of running that I haven’t heard of or haven’t been invented yet.
They’ll all work, for someone. Try it all and keep with what hurts the least.
What will tomorrow’s post be? G, I wonder…
I just ran 4.5km at the gym, and I’m a forefoot runner, but that’s because I’m trying to keep pressure off my knee. Not necessarily because it’s more comfortable…. but you’re right. Research tends to prove what the researchers were looking for to begin with. 😉
Wow! Some after my own heart … when it comes to listening to the experts! I an a very novice runner. I run in the spring.. some summer..and the fall. I use the term “run” loosely! Actually I walk at a rate of speed that I can enjoy. I keep saying that I want to do a 5K to get a T-Shirt or run in a 10K or a marathon…. The truth is, I just want to ‘complete’ these things. I enjoy the thrill of sweating and thinking. Sweat make the pores of my brain feel free. I can think in realms that when I am not exhausted seem to be closed off to me. For the truth about my running.. I usually complete two 5Ks a week in walking. Then one more day to walk just for the fun of it. No Pressure. No Competition. Just the sweat and the thoughts.