kicking myself -- bad form?

Happens to me too. Just as you say, kick the inside of my ankles. No scabs, but if I wear socks it's obvious from the dirt marks when I do it. Also, it happens the most on long runs... probably when fatigue sets in?

I know I have some form/strength imbalances. A bit of anterior pelvic tilt, hips rotate to the left a little, and my right glute is noticably weaker than the left (shows up during single-leg squats).

I don't know the cause. I would like to get my strength imbalances resolved at some point. I have a feeling they are all tied together.

I wear both stability and neutral trainers.

Thanks, I wear super low socks that barely come over the shoe, so there is no sock covering the ankle bone. That's probably why it tears the skin a bit.

It happens to me also.Just happens on slower runs. I don't do it on fast runs. Just on the left ankle but my Rt shoe wears on the front medial sole and lots of my socks have holes from this.

The best idea I've come up with about why this might happen with me is this: Hip weakness.

For example, stand on your right leg (like in the stance-phase of running motion) and let your left hip dip down. Now slowly bring your left foot forward like when running (up to where it passes your right ankle). Notice how much easier it hits your right ankle when the left hip is dipped down? Now, with your left foot still next to your right ankle, lift your left hip up, so your hips are level. When I do this, the left foot automatically moves further away from the right ankle. Makes me think my hips are dipping when I get fatigued, which I know is a common form breakdown... especially in average joes with desk jobs.

This makes me think "hip hikes" (and maybe other gluteus medius exercises?) would probably be helpful. ex:

http://www.bodyresults.com/e2gluteusmedius.asp

video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI4aKAyA0RI

Sorry for the multiple posts.

I just started this "Myrtl routine" from Jay Johnson. It is runner-specific, with lots of hip-strengthening stuff.

You might try the entire routine once-though (video #1), and at least continue doing any of the exercises you find particularly difficult. I figure if it feels difficult, it's likely a weak spot.

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=16625

Logan Decker wrote:

Never heard of kicking your ankles but me and a few friends kick our calves, get some nice bald spots going when we start bringing up the mileage

I used to do calves, but this year it's been ankle. No idea why.

Same for me. I've even seen mud streaks as high as my knee before. You must have really low knee lift if you're hitting your ankle.

I think that most of us wouldn't hit our opposite leg if we ran barefoot. We do it because shoes make our feet bigger. Unless you're hitting yourself hard, I don't think it's a problem. Your knee lift might be a bigger problem.

I think notarunner has a point about knee lift. This happens to me on easy runs when I shuffle along at a slow pace. Never happens at marathon pace or faster.

I thought this would be about kicking yourself in the ass when your at a dead sprint, I do that. I literally kick myself in the ass.

This mainly happens to male runners who have abnormally large packages. When placing your schlong in your underwear, make sure not to have it leaning to one side or the other. This can throw your entire body off balance. I did months of physical therapy trying to correct my imbalance before my new college coach explained the real problem to me. I recommend taking your coach off to the side some time and talking about the problem with him. He will know exactly what you are talking about and should be able to easily assess whether or not a massive, poorly placed penis could be the issue.

It worked! Genius!

I also suspect hip weakness. Check these out:

http://www.runninginjuryclinic.com/homepage-articles/new-strategy-for-injured-runners.html