Stride

I take it because you're asking out of curiosity?

If you try to emulate a world class runners form you're headed

on a road to injuries. But they run the way they do is because

of their training. Now if you're high school. And I did this too,.

I was obsessed over my stride length, ignorantly. I read

some articles and found out my optimal stride length, cured

the shin splints. The forward lean is more anatomical.

You can run by a store with a long window and notice

if you're running back too far or look at your shadow.

You can look at the form of a Haile Gebrselassie, who has

one of the most economical forms, or you can look at

the ugly duckling form of an Alberto Salazar. Their

forms work for them because of their body types.

There are plenty of videos on youtube in how to find

your optimal stride length. Also bet you didn't know

that world class swimmers have an optimal stride length too.

It's directly related to your anatomical structure (endo, ecto, et cetera).

Know your body type.

Actually, it was years ago during a long run, my epiphany

to finding my optimal stride length came together by --- r e l a x a t i o n,

while running. You'll know it when you feel it. And boy it feels good.

Relaxation is the key to many if not most of the questions.

But sometimes is not enough. In certain body positions the relaxation cannot be achieved. Is similar to planking - you can try to relax as much as you want, the position is very demanding.

Regarding the butt kick, that happens because the runner drags forcefully the ground beneath the body. Same thing is linked with the forward lean of the body - you can't drag the ground behind the body center if you're inclined back.

George Ilie wrote:

Relaxation is the key to many if not most of the questions.

But sometimes is not enough. In certain body positions the relaxation cannot be achieved. Is similar to planking - you can try to relax as much as you want, the position is very demanding.

Regarding the butt kick, that happens because the runner drags forcefully the ground beneath the body. Same thing is linked with the forward lean of the body - you can't drag the ground behind the body center if you're inclined back.

Dragging the ground beneath to help propel your lift off the stride. That's fantastic, I have never really thought of it like that but makes sense for the butt kick they're performing since the feet snap off the ground in an elastic fashion towards the butt. I've been interested on running form for a long time and always trying to work on what's best for me.

Even though the runners are relaxed while running they are racing and probably have a less aggressive looking stride on other types of runs

free bird wrote:

....I have never really thought of it like that but makes sense for the butt kick they're performing since the feet snap off the ground in an elastic fashion towards the butt....

Even though the runners are relaxed while running they are racing and probably have a less aggressive looking stride on other types of runs

Dibaba is great at this:

This explains the role of arms too; the arms are the counterweight for the ground dragging. You can see how she is throwing the right elbow, for example, while the right foot is dragging the ground behind.

George Ilie wrote:

free bird wrote:

....I have never really thought of it like that but makes sense for the butt kick they're performing since the feet snap off the ground in an elastic fashion towards the butt....

Even though the runners are relaxed while running they are racing and probably have a less aggressive looking stride on other types of runs

Dibaba is great at this:

http://youtu.be/_Of_wF8Mduc

This explains the role of arms too; the arms are the counterweight for the ground dragging. You can see how she is throwing the right elbow, for example, while the right foot is dragging the ground behind.

Awesome video post, you can really see it in slow motion. She makes it look effortless. Years of perfecting her stride. Very impressive!