Another thread about 180 spm cadence. But this one is different...

Highschool wrote:

I'm not as tall as you but I have found that my cadence stays around 172 until I start going going at 10k pace. It jumps to around 180 at 5k pace and to 190-200 in an all out mile. I would say don't worry about it unless you have very bad form.

That’s just it though. Many high schoolers have very, very atrocious form. You got so many kids striking a foot in front of their center of gravity, slamming their heel hard into the track, even in very fast races, widely swinging their shoulders inefficiently, etc.

It’s not like these kids ran around barefoot all the time while young. They were too busy playing video games, and when they did go outside, it was on a scooter or bike.

It’s so inredibly apparent that form work is needed. Those saying “it will just fix itself” are a special case of stupid, or just 30 years out of touch. Go watch a varsity HS duel meet at your nearest HS next spring, and you’ll see that most of these kids need serious form work.

HobbyJoggerSpotted wrote:

"Cadence" is a bunch of mumbo jumbo which was promoted in recent years to sell more pedometer gear to hobbyjoggers. Nobody ever taught Eliud Kipchoge what cadence to run at. Your body quickly figures out through trial and error what tradeoff of cadence and stride length is most efficient at a given pace.

Kipchoge - whose form I think is absolutely beautiful and possibly one of the pinnacles of efficiency, said in his Oxford address that his form was worked on and tweaked by his coach when he was younger. He didn't get it solely by running loads although that would help embed good form. He got it through tweaking. Granted he doesn't go on to say much about how it was changed but then again, Kipchoge doesn't say many words on anything. This is off the topic of cadence though so I accept that.

Here is a crazy idea; what if the faster you run, the more steps you take? And, the slower you run; the less steps you take?

No man, you are body just knows, man! Everybody has his or her own form, man! For example I am an extreme heelstriker with a 120 cadence. But thats whats best for me, man. Dont listen to the mumbo jumbo, man! Good form is for hobby joggers, man!

Well if you are jogging, no wonder why you are a heel striker and have a low cadence. Just look how smooth, relaxed and good runners form looks here from the 70s. I don't ever remember reading that they worried about form, cadence, foot strike.

No, thats right. Exactly the point. In the 70's the heel stompers with 120 cadence just stopped running after three times, because of injuries, or they came to the conclusion they had no talent etc.

Nowadays, we say "hey man, your shins make you cry and your knees always hurt? maybe try to up your cadence and be a little more easy on the ankle dorsiflexion - its no guarantee but you can always try. Oh and try to lose 25 pounds, that might help, too"

Actually, my form and technique are very good. Even when jogging. And it came naturally to me. No learning, worrying about cadence and all that. Just like your 70's idols, friends, maybe yourself too. That I dont have their speed and talent is another matter, haha. But thanks, for the videos. They look good.

But I see it all the time around me, that it is not the case for everyone. So what do I say to neighbour Mike, 200 pounds, desk job? "You know, Mike, this man on a forum told me that in the 70's they didn't worry about all the mumbo mumbo, so you better just quit running and take up cycling. I'm sorry, man, nothing can be done."