Do flexible ankles, help you run faster?

surprise macaroni surprise wrote:

People need to get back on point here. He's talking specifically about how flexible the ankle is in terms of pushing downwards against the ground.

I think it is hugely important. A really tight calve/ankle definitely grossly limits your stride length.

Sorry about the comma ALL!

Check Ritz (right of pic) and check his left foot. The ankle and shin is almost flat if you could imagine he just pushed off his toes then why are the "elite" it looks like they have flat ankles.

I tried to find another image but perhaps its just an "illusion" that ankles to shins are flat (or straight line):

This front kid has what I am talking about:

Ultimately the question is, as you are full pushing off on your toes in the ankles to shin flexibility required or not really a factor?

Those flexibility tests were conducted on 32 minute 10km runners compared to the general public. Obviously, the 32 min. 10 k guys - trained on a steady diet of junk miles, tempos, and quasi speed work - outperformed the general public on endurance tests. I would like to see the same flexibility tests done sub 3:50 milers. Then we would know something worth knowing. Who wants to be a stiff, nonathletic 32 minute 10km plodder?

p.s. Please do not respond saying you know one sub 3:56 miler who could not touch his knees while fully warmed up. I want to know about huge numbers of sub 3:50 milers. I know for a fact that Seb Coe and Said Aouita had exceptional mobility. I have seen both of them stretching before races.

Stride length isn't determined by flexibility. There are many factors, stride rate, knee drive and toe off. If we were to take all the elite runners and look at their stride length, it would be all over the board. Look at Manzano, I can only imagine that his stride length would be shorter than Wheatings. Here is what it is: people are always looking for shortcut explanations (ie plyos, flexibility, nutrition, multivitamins) to make them feel that what they do will directly affect their performance and take them to that magical next level. It is great to have goals but these things just increase the letdown when they don't produce faster times over distances. Focus on your training, run your best and be happy with what you are able to achieve while working towards a greater level of success. So sick of pointless over-analysis.

surprise macaroni surprise wrote:

People need to get back on point here. He's talking specifically about how flexible the ankle is in terms of pushing downwards against the ground.

I think it is hugely important. A really tight calve/ankle definitely grossly limits your stride length.