Running Technique Tips

Last week Mark and I attended the The Athlete’s Foot conference in Melbourne, giving talks and demonstrations about how we use a gradual minimalist running transition as part of our running technique coaching. Interacting with one of the biggest shoe retail outfits in Australia has given us an interesting insight into where minimalism is or isn’t headed in the mainstream retail context.

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Specialty running retailer & coach Mark Gorski share his thoughts on the evolution of the running shoe industry towards minimalism. From a shoe retailer’s view he sees an abyss between minimalist skeptics and passionate barefoot advocates that should be filled with the lightweight trainer category.

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Enigmatic trail running champion Anton Krupicka cut through the noise around minimalist running when he told a group of retailers, coaches and podiatrists about his minimalist transition success story.

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My take out from this debate is I don’t think we’ll ever reach a position where there is a uniform or consistent approach to running and perhaps this is a good thing. It’d be nice to have one area of life where there is room for the art as much as the science to lead the way forwards.

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It is with some trepidation that I will attend a great running shoe debate to be held in Melbourne this week. My worry is not this particular debate or the participants, but the continued narrow focus on shoes being the main lever available for runners to pull in their search for injury free running and proper running form. Running well is about so much more than what’s on or off your feet.

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I’ve recently been experimenting with barefoot jogging, zero drop shoes and reintroducing my body to racing spikes after a twenty year layoff. Here’s a few observations based on what I’ve learned.

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Shoe reviews are a vital and helpful resource for runners to get an objective opinion on what they should be putting on their feet. But considering the perspective and running background of the reviewer is critical to understanding how suitable a particular shoe model will be for your running.

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While I encourage runners to approach barefoot running with caution, for some runners, there is a case to be made for taking baby steps towards barefoot running. In this article I describe five ideas that will give you a taste of the barefoot phenomenon without having to put yourself at high risk of injury.

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In this article I make some observations about how different runners might react to barefoot or minimalist running shoes as a stimulus for improving running technique. I also explain why some runners need to be more cautious than others when adopting barefoot running.

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I didn’t believe in spontaneous or miraculous improvements in running technique, but some recent coaching clients have given me a chance to reconsider my position. The conclusion: for some (but not all) runners the removal of orthotics and reduction in running shoe support features can lead to rapid improvements in running technique. Watch the before and after video after switching to Nike Free Run.

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Recently attention has shifted from loading up runners with the most protective and cushioned footwear to adopting lighter, flatter, more flexible shoes. Minimalist running shoes are a good idea in the long term, but runners need to consider how to transition without getting injured. Slow and steady can win the race.

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You don’t need to run barefoot to stimulate improvements in running technique. Here’s four ways wearing a range minimal running shoes can help develop your running form.

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In this article I explain that you should buy your shoes based on the way you run today and with an eye on how you want to run tomorrow.  The secret is not necessarily about adopting minimal running shoes as a means to correct your running form, no such spontaneous shoe magic exists. However, evolving [...]

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