CC running form comparison photo

[Barefoot TJ]

This snapshot is both interesting and adorable on so many levels, although I don't understand why the dude in the background is so angry. I hope you don't mind if I share it to the Home Page. Thanks!

 

[Tedlet]

Wow -the total difference in form between the two of them is quite stark isn’t it!.. Good pic..

 

[trevize1138]

I'd say you really can't quite tell enough from a photo. They look very different but they're also both at different points of their strides. Your son is just about to lift off the ground and his teammate is about to land. It does certainly look like his teammate is over-striding (the heel first position of the foot is just a symptom of that root cause). If his teammate is over-striding the real negative there isn't so much the heel landing as is the fact that he's runing with the parking brake locked on. The pained expression may just be that he's working a lot harder than your son to run at the same speed.

My daughter is in 7th grade and running CC for the first time herself. I've done some 1-on-1 form coaching with her to help as her coach doesn't do any of that. She already complains that she has to train and race in shoes as she enjoys our little unshod form sessions way more and feels like she can't run right with shoes on. She's in either Xero Prios or Lems Primal IIs and my thought was those have bottoms that are either overly stiff (Prios) or a little too thick (Lems). So I ordered her a pair of Vapor Gloves that arrive Friday.

HS CC and track are notorious for not teaching kids anything about form. It's all about whipping a group of teenagers into competition shape in only 2-3 months so you just drill them on intervals and hope a few natural talents rise to the top.

Good luck to your son! I hope he enjoys the season and this sets him on a lifetime of pure running enjoyment.

 

[Noodles]

She's in either Xero Prios or Lems Primal IIs and my thought was those have bottoms that are either overly stiff (Prios) or a little too thick (Lems).

The Xero Speed Force have pretty thin soles, certainly thinner than the Prios, so they might be worth a try if she doesn't get on with the Vapor Gloves. The tops are super soft too, so very nice to wear during the day. I found that the only problem with running in them was a small blister at the side of the nail on the big toe, but I suspect I should have ordered a size up.