Think about it. If you try to walk fast in the flat part of a pool vs. in the downward sloping part (basically eliminating the aid of gravity as seen on land), it's much harder because you're trying to exert a horizontal force vector off of a horizontal surface as opposed to a downwardly pitched surface, which can provide additional resistance beyond that of friction alone.
Bump...Anyone agree? Disagree? Additional thoughts on this?
I agree. I think that's why most elite marathoners prefer shoes with drops.
No elite marathoner is a heel striker, so no elite marathoner needs to run is higher drop shoes. They could probably run the same times no matter what drop you put them in because they are landing on their forefeet.
Tell it to old dude who won the olympics in the 60s with no shoes on.
dc-guy wrote:
No elite marathoner is a heel striker, so no elite marathoner needs to run is higher drop shoes. They could probably run the same times no matter what drop you put them in because they are landing on their forefeet.
As many have noted before, quite a few great world-class runners are heel strikers, and many are mid and forefoot. That is inconsequential. So why don't any of them go with zero-drop shoes to cut off a few ounces? They use shoes with wedges in the heel to gain leverage for more powerful propulsion forward. It has nothing to do with the heel strike/forefoot strike debate which is about contact phase. It's the advantage it gives in the push-off phase of gait.
dc-guy wrote:
No elite marathoner is a heel striker, so no elite marathoner needs to run is higher drop shoes. They could probably run the same times no matter what drop you put them in because they are landing on their forefeet.
Time for glasses, chum.
RIP: D3 All-American Frank Csorba - who ran 13:56 in March - dead
RENATO can you talk about the preparation of Emile Cairess 2:06
Running for Bowerman Track Club used to be cool now its embarrassing
Great interview with Steve Cram - says Jakob has no chance of WRs this year
Hats off to my dad. He just ran a 1:42 Half Marathon and turns 75 in 2 months!
