That was 18 years ago. And I believe that that teaching even stretched further beyond that? Of late, this has been considered as outdated and the new science is barefoot running or midsole/forefoot running. Coincidentally, I heard on BBC an interview with a barefoot running specialist/researcher - I cannot remember the name - on Monday evening. Tried to search for its podcast on the site but could only retrieve this 3 month old article, about the huge impact heel strike will have on the knees.
What the interviewee did mention was this, that research in this area was still ongoing and that all recreational runners should just continue doing what they are most happy with. But may want to consider this revolutionary running stance.
I have never been much of a runner in my life. My best ever athletic run I made was when I was in the army, clocking a nothing fantastic 9:32 for a 2.4km run during a test. And that was at my peak of my fitness I believe. I did injure myself when I did my 1st ever marathon in 2008, using the so-called one of the better cushioned shoes. If ever cushion was good, how did I get myself so badly badgered?
I have since gone on to midsole/forefoot strike and I think my mileage a week since July last year had been more than I have ever done for the past 36 years. On the contrary, I have managed, so far - cross my fingers - to maintain myself injury free. In fact, with forefoot running, my cadence has picked up so much that I am amazed that I can even hit such speeds. On Sunday, I did 3 sets of 7km with 1 km walk in between. Did the 1st 7km in 46min, 2nd in 45min and the last in 41min. Nothing very fast for many, but it was quite alright for me. I know I could have gone faster but I was conservative and was under nutritioned for the run. Tonight while my swim was swept away by the rain in the afternoon, I only managed the second training session for the day at night - intervals. Did a 2km warm up, 2 x 1km, 6 x 500m and 6 x 100m (suppose to be 8 but I miscounted) and 1km warm down. I hit about 4:40/km during the 1 km and 500m intervals, below 3:30/km for the 100m dashes. The best thing was this, I was not even panting and my legs did not feel like jelly despite the 2 days of run training. Tomorrow I will be hitting the tarmac for a 24km again. Will see how my legs are feeling thereafter.
Of course, bulk of the reason was that my Coach had given me enough training to improve my stamina and leg power. But I would like to think that the forefoot running style had perhaps me more proficient and efficient runner. Perhaps, all these were just a media hype. Perhaps I have gotten fitter. One thing is for sure, the fact that I have managed to remain injury free, I will continue to run this way until my body says otherwise.
So perhaps, for now, thinly cushioned shoes are the shoes to use and forefoot running is the way forward.
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