Heel or toe?

[ladywelllady]

Hi all, - I'd really appreciate your advice. I graduated a couple of years back and been fortunate to not have any time off due to injury to limbs. I had to regraduate early this year as I had a fairly serious 'lady' operation so started from W1 to be sure. So nice and slowly and no visits to the IC so far. I can run 5k but the 30 mins still eludes me. I break up my training with stamina/speed and challenging parkrun course - am happy to walk when necessary on that as the hills are a killer.

So my question is - which is better to land on heel or toe? I've watched the Slow Japanese Running episode on Youtube and the elderly gent runs slowly on his toes. Watching the athletics at Doha, again on toes!

Why am I beating myself up about heel or toe? My husband was a very good sprinter in his youth - and his advice to me is I'll never get better unless I am on my toes. Saying that, I'd probably beat him now

Is it more economical to run on toes - or is this the holy grail that I will never achieve?

Thank you

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

There are many conflicting theories about how to land but the best video I saw was a sports expert saying that we learn to run as children, that we run how we each run and that should not be messed with as trying to substantially change gait can be incredibly risky. The only exception he said was coming back from major injuries.

So try not to obsess about the how and just look to enjoy.

You say you can do 5k but not 30 mins? You must be very quick, maybe you need to slow up a little, take in the views a bit more.

I often think husbands should never give wives advice 🤣 mine thinks I should get my knees up (not that he can run) but I'm not a sprinter, I'm an endurance and distance runner.

You do you, let others do them. Find your joy in running whatever it might be 👍🏻😁

[Buddy34 Graduate]

While I was doing c25k we were always instructed to try and land on the middle part of our feet so there is no heel or toe strike. It worked for me and still does. 😊

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

When he says you'll never get "better" what is "better" to you? Do you want to be faster? Run longer? 🤔

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

The majority of runners naturally heelstrike. This is however considered the least favourable footstrike, as it creates the most jarring impact on your legs.

Forefoot strike is far more prevalent amongst sprinters and elite athletes.

Mid foot is considered by many authorities to be optimal for recreational runners, but trying to force an unnatural footstrike can lead to more complications than it will solve.

Long strides are more likely to lead to heelstriking, so need to be avoided, if possible.

If you don't have any issues with joints or leg muscles, then your footfall is probably fine for you. I certainly would not agree that it is going to restrict your ability, unless you wish to become an elite athlete.