Is the idea of only lifting as high as you need to to move forward sound advice?
Yes!
But there is no 'lift' - it's just a reaction to your speed. The faster you travel the more lift there appears to be.
Is the idea of only lifting as high as you need to to move forward sound advice?
Yes!
But there is no 'lift' - it's just a reaction to your speed. The faster you travel the more lift there appears to be.
The Swing Phase
At the moment of toe off, your...leg has travelled as far back as its going to and the heel starts to lift towards your backside. ...This is a passive movement (as opposed to a conscious effort), with the height that the heel reaches depending on the degree of hip extension achieved and the speed you are running at.
This is the part that always confuses me. If you aren't "lifting" what is the correct term? Propelling? If you aren't supposed to PUSH off the toes or LIFT the feet, wouldn't you just be dragging your feet across the ground?
The only time I feel I actively lift my foot is when I put it on something uncomfortable!
The only time I feel I actively lift my foot is when I put it on something uncomfortable!
I think that careful placement of the foot with each landing, when performed with good technique and form, leads to automatic and passive lifting of the feet during the swing cycle.some of the differences between learning barefoot and then developing a stride that allows you to gain more speed.
you can load really light with barefoot techniques which even teach to kind of lift the foot even before fully loaded. this is safe, fun, gentle….and all good. WAY better than heel strike.
But to get faster and more efficient you must use you gluts and extend the hips. this is the most efficient use of the spring (foot). load it FULLY and all the release. do not [lift] foot off prematurely
Gravel and rough terrain should NOT be avoided when you’re trying to learn how to run gently while barefoot. Standing, or walking and running a few minutes on uncomfortable terrain will teach you more about running gently than months of running on comfortable terrain, or in any kind of footwear.