The Greatest Runners are heel strikers

#2
I wonder if they will be able to run "for life."

I'm sure there are a lot of kick ass runners out there who are not so well known that don't run with a heel strike. I'm thinking indigenous people who haven't been contaminated by the BS western culture-shoes.
 
#4
But what of the Kenyan runners who grew up shoeless that run with a mid/forefoot strike?
 
#5
Bill Rodgers, sorry, never heard of him.

Yes, what about those awesome runners who live in third world countries and never get the big heel-striking contract?
 
#6
A thought about your Bill Rodgers...

I'll bet he grew up wearing and running in those shoes that don't have a big-ass heel to contaminate his gait.
 
#7
Yes, I was right. A quick Google search brought up this image of him running in 1975. Look at the shoes! I don't see a big-ass heel on them, and I don't see him heel-striking either.
1975_MARfin_Rodgers,Bill.jpg
 
#8
In fact, I just looked at a bunch of Google images of him, and I don't see him running with a heel-strike in any of them, although if you find one, please note that the majority of his captured-images are showing a nice mid-forefoot landing, AND I don't see him wearing the BS we wear today.
 
#9

Okay, onto YouTube for some moving images. Here is Bill Rodgers winning the 1979 Boston Marathon setting an American record in 2:09, and I don't see him heel-striking OR wearing crappy-ass shoes. I don't even see any of the runners heel-striking. Must have something to do with the shoes they wore BACK THEN. In fact, he continued to run without a heel-strike as he crossed the finish line. Hee.

So that would lead me back to my initial response question to you. I wonder if "those heel-strikers" will be able to run for life?

Oh, and thanks for introducing me to Bill Rodgers. I have a new appreciation for him.
 
#10
Most of the greatest athletes of all times are the greatest because they push all possible limits in order to achieve a very elite level of performance. I would argue that shoes are a tool to push the body beyond what it could do without them (aka...heel striking, pushing off, etc). Also, this elite level of performance is not usually done with intentions of maintaining this level for long periods of time (a lifetime). A very few do manage to make it and keep competing or at least participating for some time.

Coming from an athletic household my dad wrestled on a full-ride for University of Michigan (All American), my mom ran with the U of M cross team and Cross Country Skied competitively for some time. Both of their bodies are falling apart. They continue to be in good shape, but their joints just aren’t the same (at all…lol).

I was by no means a FAST runner when I used to compete (17:30 5k), but when I transitioned to barefoot it was not with the intention to run faster, it was to run healthier and happier. I’m not sure how logical it would be to start running BF with the desire to be a world class athlete (not to say it can’t be done…I just see quite a few obstacles there). But I may have a different perspective than others here as I see shoes as a tool (I just decide not to use that tool).
 
#11
I would wager that those runners who are "elite" and have been brought up wearing healthy footwear choices (which are conducive to non-heel striking) will be running for many more years than the new elites who are running in boat anchors, literal foot coffins.

We won't know with Steve Prefontaine, since he died in the 70s.
 
#12
Barefoot TJ said:
I would wager that those runners who are "elite" and have been brought up wearing healthy footwear choices (which are conducive to non-heel striking) will be running for many more years than the new elites who are running in boat anchors, literal foot coffins.
Click to expand...
Yep...I would argue the same
No doubts there...from me at least
 
#13
I remember way back then, like about 35 years ago, we did not have excessive heels. They were more of what I call racing flats. Those were wearing pretty evenly and lasted a good while, when the NB 990's came out I "loved" them for their cushioning. I know, I have sinned in the past. But what I noticed was that they wore out very fast. I could not get more than 250 miles out of them. In those days I was running up to 70 mpw, and at $100 per pair it got to pretty expensive. So as the shoes got "better" they made us buy more. Now with changing to a barefoot running form shoes the Min shoes last a long time Also helps when one is barefoot 1/2 the time. I think as the shoe evolved, as mentioned before it led us to heel striking. imo
 
  • Like
Reactions: Barefoot TJ and Zetti
#15
Rile me up, then just drop it?! I think not! Hee.
 
#16
Barefoot Gentile said:
I was watching some footage of Steve Prefontaine and he was a heel striker.
Click to expand...

See, proof heel striking is bad...If you are a heel striker you will wreck your car. DON'T heel strike!!! (too soon?):cool:
 
#20
Nobody in Adam's list is a diehard "heel striker", good grief. He knows it, too :cool:

Even a slightly built-up heel can cause that part of the shoe to touch the ground first, giving the optical impression that the runner is a heel-striker, but that's a far cry from the people flopping around in their Kyanos and Beasts, trashing their knees with every step.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Support Your Club

Support Your Club! Get More Odd Looks!

Forum statistics

Threads
19,152
Messages
183,616
Members
8,701
Latest member
Barefoot RPS

Latest posts

Share this page

Share this page
Top Bottom
Back
Menu