Relearning to run

I went to my appointment last night, and was given some good news, along with a long list of things to work on.  I was totally enlightened and inspired, so this post may be a bit lengthy.

First, we reviewed the videos from my 2 gait analysis'.  Even to my untrained eye, I could see how much I do pronate, especially on my left --- I think!  (LOL, now i've forgotten)  And these latest pair of shoes, definitely not good for me.  I pronated more in those with my orthotics, than without orthotics in my stability type shoes in Feb.  So that was definitely a step backwards.  Luckily the only running I did in these most recent shoes was the gait analysis and a short 3k run the day I got them. Who knows what type of injury I would have gotten had I continued.  Those shoes are already returned to the store, another one purchased.

From a bio-mechanical standpoint, nothing horribly wrong, but I need to make some changes. I'm a heel-toe runner, and also externally rotate, meaning my toes point outwards slightly.  It became quite evident watching the videos that my ankle is absorbing much of the shock, and i'm hitting on the outside of my heel rolling in. The doctor doing the assessment, who is my doctor's partner, and an accomplished Masters runner, is a strong supporter of the Pose method of running.  He showed me a brief video to demonstrate this, where it's more about landing on the ball of your foot rather than the heel.  Dr. Romanov is a Russian Sports scientist, who has trained Olympic athletes, and has been around since the year I was born!   Working on this technique will take practice, patience, and time.

Will this work 100% for me?  Who knows.  Is this the best way to run?  I also don't know the answer to that.  Like with so much, there seems to be a lot of debate and varying opinion. Rather than jump into anything with both feet at the mere suggestion, I try to research as much as possible.   I came across this article, which discusses a few of these methods, including pros/cons of varying strike.  I have ordered Dr. Romanov's book, to at least give it a chance, and get a better understanding of the idea, technique and the suggested exercises and see where it leads me.

I just got my September's edition of Runner's World... on the cover "21 New-Shoe Reviews Find the Right Fit for Your Feet"... hmmm.  Also shown here if anyone is needing a shoe review.  Maybe they heard my cries for help! LOL!!!

Another discussion we had was something that I thought of as I walked into the office and brought up.  For the last 5 weeks, I've been working at home. At home, I'm in bare feet all day long. While I'm at a desk for a good part of that, both doctors agreed that I should be wearing shoes or at least Crocs or something around the house.  I'm a pronator, so when I walk during the day, I'm doing the same.  

In the meantime, I've been given the ok to start running again, finally.  I will go out slowly, and try to be at least more aware of my foot strike and see if I can break old habits.  

This is how obsessed I've become about becoming a better runner and trying to stay injury-free!  My home office has a beautiful big window, facing a fairly busy street, in a neighborhood that seems almost flooded with runners and cyclist. While it's been torture over the last 12 days not running, I now think of it as a training tool!  I watch their feet!  I hear the fast pitter patter of runners' feet on the pavement, quickly take a look and see how they are planting their feet!  Now it's my turn.  The sky seems to have cleared up a bit at least... hopefully enough to go for a short run at lunch time, and see what happens.

So here's my question to you?  Do you may close attention to your gait? How your foot hits the ground?  Do you consciously make corrections, if needed?  How does your foot hit the ground? Heel? Middle? Forefoot?

I can't wait to be reunited with my Garmin today :)  It's a good thing too, otherwise, I don't think I'd fare so well in SLB'S Worth the Weight challenge!!!

Stitches out Monday...!!!  

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.