W6R1 - heel strike?!

[Sook2]

Well I headed out with gloves to start on this lovely chilly day. Boy was the towpath crowded! I managed to thread my way through the crowds with no real trouble to finish this session. Feeling good at the end, and a relatively uncrowded path ahead of me so I let it rip! I do love the feeling of running fast(er) - so all the more motivation to stick to the program and build the CV fitness.

I was surprised to hear Laura say in this session’s podcast that heel strike was good running form. I seem to remember biomechanical studies say midfoot or forefoot strike more efficient. I have a natural midfoot strike that’s seen me through thousands of kms with very little injury. Has the received wisdom changed?

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Yes mid foot or forefoot means less impact and less injuries, enjoy running i think that’s the only bit of Laura that is a bit out of date

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great running Sook2. You are right you shouldn't heel strike your natural midfoot land is great .

Well done you 😊😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You are quite correct. The received wisdom has not changed and that bit of info is mentioned in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... as being spurious , if not dangerous, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of runners heelstrike as a natural footstrike.

[Sook2 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks, it’s a shame that piece of advice made it through to the app and podcasts, isn’t it! The videos about running form linked in the guide are very helpful.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Sook2]

We have mentioned it to Public Health England on several occasions, but they have not made the change.

I was assured when the app was released that the heelstrike recommendation had been dropped, which shows just about how much they care.

It is a shame, because it is just wrong information, which could possibly lead to injury.

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

I had this question after I started the W2 Podcast where Laura recommends heel strike. Apparently it wrong.......midsole is the way to go.