Stability, Motion Control, Cushioned-Lydiard says all this technology is rubbish

tiger 'marathons' or tiger 'bostons'

i had a flashback last weekend to the old BRS store:

(Natick MA? Wellesley MA?)

they had the shoes mounted on the wall, you pointed to the shoe and tried on different sizes until you got a fit; someone always walked 'out back' to bring the shoes to you

also on the wall were various photos of heros of the day

(pre, shorter, ryun, liquori), I recall the photos were black and white usually

you got your shoes in a cool blue and yellow cloth bag with a drawstring

the most expensive models were around $12

I always felt (in my youthful naivete) that I was on hallowed ground

OH for a time machine

any OLD Massachusetts guys recall the state meets at White Stadium?

I have a question for everyone here. I am still young (19) and I want to make the most out of my running and one day maybe be close to an elite level so I want to take care of my biomechanic problems right away.

Anyway, my left leg seems to be fine, but my right leg is slightly bowlegged, the foot faces toward the outside. I was just wondering how I could go about getting my muscular imbalances taken care of (if that's the problem) or if it's even something I can fix, or who I should talk to about something like that. Any help would really be appreciated.

After reading this thread, I wonder how the new and improved Trackhead will respond?

You are correct and remember that when Lydiard was coaching New Zealand Olympians, running was not a sport for the masses. There are now high school cross-country teams with more runners than most road races had in the 60's, 70's. People with biomechanical problems did not run or quit soon after starting from all the injuries.

How far I've come

wecowboy wrote:

After reading this thread, I wonder how the new and improved Trackhead will respond?

What does that mean? Is trackhead a motion control guy now, lol?

When this thread began in 2002 I was firmly weded to shoe technology. You'll note that from my posts from the time. Since then, I've learned much, and have been running in shoes that I would have considered suicide back then.

I've seen the light.

The light from the Doctor's office?

Just KIDDING.

Does anyone have any info for my situation yet?

bump

A friend of mine works at a running store. I run with him, here and there, but a lot during the summer. I always ask him what type of shoes to wear. Since I've been going to him, I've been pretty happy with my shoes. In the past I've always just took what I got free from school. The way you train is a pretty big factor in getting injured. But the shoe also plays a role. I think minimal shoes would probably work fine on soft ground, but a lot of my running, is unfortunately on hard surfaces. I think when you run on hard surfaces you should put something significant in between your foot and the concrete.

How much is enough? Myself and others run in modified track spikes, much of it on concrete, without incident.

trackhead wrote:

Modern shoe technology works. Cushioned for neutral runners, stability for moderate pronators and motion control for severe over pronators. Just find the right match for you.

Wow, I would have had the same response 1 1/2 years ago! This is the same crap nearly every shoe salesman, physician, and podiatrist is sold on. I have several books on this stuff too! Amazing how your perspective can change.

I always thought surface mattered too because that's what you read in the books! But here's an interesting reply, that I wholeheartedly believe in since switching to flats and gaining a better understanding of how our biomechanics can change from shoe to shoe and surface to surface:

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0636.htm

"It is interesting that you mention trails, because research shows that surface has little effect on impact forces. Trails usually feel nicer to us, but are they really? Researchers again say that we adjust our mechanics as we move from hard to soft surfaces, and vice versa, so that impact forces vary little. There are problems with this research, though, in that forces are again measured at tibia in some cases, instead of at the feet or ankles.

I won't waste my time reading the other 74 threads, but I have always trained in cushioned trainers and I have never had plantar fasciitis.

jaguar1 wrote:

I always thought surface mattered too because that's what you read in the books! But here's an interesting reply, that I wholeheartedly believe in since switching to flats and gaining a better understanding of how our biomechanics can change from shoe to shoe and surface to surface:

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0636.htm

"It is interesting that you mention trails, because research shows that surface has little effect on impact forces. Trails usually feel nicer to us, but are they really? Researchers again say that we adjust our mechanics as we move from hard to soft surfaces, and vice versa, so that impact forces vary little. There are problems with this research, though, in that forces are again measured at tibia in some cases, instead of at the feet or ankles.

Whatever. Try running 100 miles a week on concrete and get back to me.

Moscow wrote:

Whatever. Try running 100 miles a week on concrete and get back to me.

Trackhead....?

Well, I've just been in the 90s but my training partner has been as high as 150, lots of asphault, concrete, including a 30 mile long run, in H Streets on the roads. Injury free.

I've become a partial convert to minimal shoes, and definitely fallen out of love with medial posts. I've weaned myself off trainers with medial support with no trouble, and I run about a third or more of my mileage in flats. But I have found that I should only run "fast" (ie. workouts or races) in the flats. Longer, slower runs, where I land more on my heel than my forefoot, I require more cushioning. I start to get sore achilles if I push my luck and run long easy miles in the flats.