So first off i’m not a runner, It’s only running because that is what it is called. I’ve had some problems with shin pain (splints or otherwise) and stopped running again. 1-2 miles is quite a bit still. So the last time I went running I “ran on my toes” where I was landing on the ball of my foot and then the heel would land then push off. I know to take the transition slow so I don’t develop overuse injuries, but for a non runner is this proper foot strike?
Thanks for any help.
and I’m not sure mid-foot strike will be a cure-all. But it’s a place to start. I made the switch in August and I’m running 35-45 miles/week right now. You might want to start here: www.posetech.com I am more of a pose-type runner. I don’t have the time or patience to do everything they suggest but I learned a lot. Give it a try…
Maybe no tfor a non runner, but fomr someone suffering with anterior compartment syndrome it is probably the only option. Anterior compartment syndrome is pain in the muscle just to the outside of your shin bine (tibia). Comes from too much pressure inside the muscle ccompartment.
You get it in part from overworking this muscle due to heel striking. Moving to a midfoot strike will alleviate this.
You can also go too far forward and get other foot problems.
I first prcticed the midfoot strike on uphills. In general try to make your weight land right in the middle of your foot, not your heel.
I used to be a horrible heel striker…caused me aching knee pain and LOTS (made me stop running) of back pain. Once I changed my stride (shortened it up), and ran barefoot at the park a bit…I was a new runner. I still have to concentrate on form, but as you can see from and earlier post this week, I did my first hour long run this week…its well worth the change!
I returned to running after 10+ years away from it, and even then the only running I did since high school in the early 80s was during other sports (and training sprints, etc). I was a huge heel-striker. I did one 1-mile run, was sore in the shins for a week, studied Chi Running for a couple hours (I read the book) and made the switch in like 30 seconds of running. Yes, that fast. MUCH better. After just 7 runs, I ran 6 miles with only some short term stiffness in the knees and achilles. And even that’s getting better.