Well today I ran for another 30 mins, but with a difference. Today I opened the conservatory doors and windows, placed the treadmill flat and tried to emulate the style shown in the barefoot running vids. You know I think for intermittent periods I actually got it!
The pain in my lower back and knees well "went".
I ran more easily and more in control since I have started this journey, so I think it's starting to work by jingo!
I ran with another new 30 mins of music and enjoyed it, sorry Laura!
We shall see what the body beautiful is like tomorrow, no sniggering at the back..lol.
All the great people doing their runs helps enormously so I fank u for your help, I now will continue reading the blogs for mental stimulation.
Why did I open the doors and windows? Psychological, I will eventually get outside without my legs dragging a la Notre Dame styleeeee.
Hope everyone is having a good one.
Blog u later
Dale
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That's brilliant about the impact of changing the way you run. It all sounds very positive indeed. Run Dale Run!
I still haven't had a reply from admin about why the podcasts still recommend heel-striking. Seems a pity when it doesn't work very well! Maybe a few more people could ask them too?
Dale... are you getting nearer to running outside? ... going on my run yesterday in the wind and rain I would recommend staying in for a bit longer
Greenlegs ... I am just beginning to look at how \i run...I know early on in the podcasts it talked about striking with the heel first, but then somewhere else talked about mid foot strike ... what is better and less likely to damage me? i feel more natural using midfoot, but no idea.
I have yet to hear from anyone on here who finds heelstriking comfortable, and a significant number who have changed to midfoot, and found it got rid of aches and pains very quickly.
It's a bit of a long story why heelstriking gets encouraged - 'Born to Run' and 'Chi Running' are two books that go into it in a lot of detail. But you can find loads of information if you do a web search. The bottom line seems to be that running shoes were designed to cushion feet with lots of padding, which makes it possible to land on your heels with a bit less impact - and some people got the impression they'd go faster with longer strides, landing on their heels. And the running shoe companies spent loads on developing new variations on padded shoes etc etc. But really, human feet work best with as little padding as possible (so the multitude of nerves in the feet can sense the ground and adapt to it), and appear to be designed to flex and move as we run, not to be kept rigid by padded shoes. And now shoe companies are starting to sell 'minimalist' shoes to jump onto the bandwagon.
Well, that's my take on it - doubtless many would disagree. But I've found running slowly, with small steps, landing on the midfoot has worked for me, and I've not yet (touch wood) had any injuries. I bought padded running shoes in my first week, but to be honest, I've run in various different footwear, including my flat work shoes (Ecco ones) and I haven't really noticed much difference between them. Maybe if I ran faster I would. Others do swear by specially fitted shoes - and maybe if you have low arches (perhaps from lifetime lack of use for what they are designed to do?) they do help, but maybe learning to run effectively would make the feet stronger, so they didn't need the support. Perhaps not for everyone, but it does seem weird that we should have such ineffective leg endings!
For some reason, the podcasts recommend heel striking - maybe because they relied on information that was around a few years ago? I really don't understand why healthunlocked isn't responding to the questions about this. Seems strange that the NHS would promote something that is actually likely to lead to more injuries!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Winging it - 30 minutes!
5k number two is DONE! 
30 min run done!!!!
Graduated 
W8R2 what have I done?
