Gavin video-taped my running. It was painful to watch. I don't run, I lumber. Despite that I keep an erect posture, which I accomplish by arching my lower back. Tight hip-flexors mean my lower back arches even further with each stride in order to achieve any follow-through. My feet kick sideways to clear the ground because I don't kick off enough with my feet and calves. My hips dip by greater than 10 degrees side-to-side. I spend a long time in the air between foot-strikes. And my stride is really slow.
Current drill: run 4 x 3' at 170 strikes/minute and 2' at my "normal" stride. By the end of the series it is painful -- literally -- to return to the normal stride. I see the treadmill shake as I land on it. My knees and ankles hurt as I land with the longer, slower stride. In contrast, the 170 strikes per minute running is light, easy, lovely.
I don't know how long it will take to internalize this particular change and I don't think the fight is nearly over, but so far this week has been a remarkable exercise in learning how to run.
Love reading about this since I have been thru so much of the same. Good luck as you keep at it!
ReplyDeleteDitto.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to working on my mechanics when my self (and heel) imposed hiatus ends, hopefully in a few weeks.
Ah, hip flexors, the bane of my existence.
ReplyDelete