Running gait question

Triathlon Forum
1

strange question here for the running gurus. When I run hard (5K pace or faster) the inside of my right heel brushes the inside of my left calf ever so slightly…doesn’t happen if I’m running at a slower pace (training runs, etc.)

After my turkey trot last week, I actually had a bloody smear on my right shoe and a small scratch on my left leg. Of course, I didn’t even notice it until someone pointed it out.

Any idea why I do this?? Could there be a muscle tightness issue that would be causing my right leg to swing slightly inward as I bring it forward?

FWIW, I do have a slight leg length discrepancy (just a few mm)…my right leg is slightly shorter than my left.

2

NOt a Guru, but do your shoes have wide heels?

3

not unusually so…I wear Asics DS trainers for short stuff (10K or less)…and Mizuno Wave Nirvanas for my training runs.

4

My guess:
When running at higher speeds you recruit your adductors to assist with lifting the leg. They also are probably pulling your foot toward the midline (since that is what they primarily do) causing the foot to brush your plant leg.

5

Here’s your answer, and it may just surprise you.

You do this because your form IMPROVES as you run faster.

WHAT??!!!

That’s right! Brushing your shoe against your calve is not really bad. You should see my calves when I get off of a trail run. I’ve got streaks of mud all over them.

When you run, your feet should be landing in a straight line. This prevents unneccesary side to side motion. In order to do this, your foot will have to slide past your calf with minimal clearance. Sometimes you will brush your calve muscle.

Also keep in mind that the faster you run, the higher your returning foot will lift. You have less room to get around your calf as you do right above your ankle.

As long as your feet don’t actualy cross over one another I wouldn’t worry about it.

6

BarryP, I was hoping you’d chime in here.

Thanks for the feedback!

7

good stuff.

Thanks Barry.

8

Here’s your answer, and it may just surprise you.

You do this because your form IMPROVES as you run faster.

Funny you mention that fact…

I got my metronome out last week. I hadn’t run with it in almost a year. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I learned that my turnover had slipped to <80 during my long layoff. I did three 30-45’ runs with the metronome ticking at 92-96 to get myself re-grooved. I’m running faster and more smoothly already.

A funny thing happened during my return to proper form – my calves have muddy nicks on them!