Biomechanics Head to Toe

Six-Time Ironman Champion Dave Scott teaches proper biomechanics for endurance runners. Active.com is the leading online community for people who want to discover, learn about, share, register for and ultimately participate in activities about which they are passionate. Millions of active individuals visit http://www.active.com/ each month to search and register online for races, team sports and recreational activities; interact with others who have similar interests; start online training programs; and access nutrition, fitness and training tips.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• running
• endurance
• triathlon
• biomechanics
• ironman
• training
• accelerade
• dave
• scott

[Edsta92]

He has it about 75% right. What's missing:

1. Slight forward lean from ANKLES (not waist) to enlist momentum, causing a falling forward motion...much more efficient.

2. Initial impact on midfoot (around the balls of the feet) not on heel...the heels should barely brush the ground.

3. Do NOT "run tall"---this increases joint impact and bouncing, i.e. injurious and inefficient. Keep knees slightly bent at ALL times such that your running height is about 2" shorter than standing.

[N3m3cis]

thank you so much!!

[piolinguingui]

this guy pronates bad

[mark95427]

@Edsta92

ehhh?

the "six-time Ironman champion" is "75% right" about running form?

i highly doubt that...

idk though, i just run, i don't pay attention to biomechanics...

i'm only in 10th grade, and i got a 18:20 3mile.

[tiggercat141]

Thank you for posting this. My first step after recovering from a stress fracture in my left ankle was to reevaluate my running technique. I realized that my left foot was sliding a little on my heel first instead of landing between heel and mid-foot. Because I was wearing my iTouch I never heard it. Thanks to your video I can work on what I should be doing and hopefully remain injury free. Thank you, Dave.

[CptOates]

Great video. Do you do any ankle/foot exercises when not running? I noticed that your right foot was collapsing in much more than the left.

[Edsta92]

You're welcome. There is no better way to kick the heel-striking habit than barefooting, because your body simply WILL NOT allow you to heel strike when you don't have a pound of padding wrapped around your feet, not for one minute. Good luck!

[Edsta92]

@sdeforest1

Google up "barefoot running." That is the single fastest, most drastically effective way of learning proper biomechanics. And it turns running into an intensely meditative, primal pleasure. Read the stickies at the top of the Barefoot Running forum at Runners World Online.

[freddijkstra]

Your absolutely correct. What's funny is that in the video, he lands on the midfoot as well...see 1:29 and further.

[pontxomtz]

ok... i'm sold... i'm suscribing... keep the pointers coming... thanks!