I do recall (but alas cannot
I do recall (but alas cannot now find) an article where he was quoted as saying that he had started to do mid-foot to slight heel strike. Just as you suggest, Blind Boy, it was less an intentional strategy than a consequence of the marathon tempo. Here is a video of him, clearly heal striking: www.youtube.com/watch
But, there is still the issue of the shoes. In his 10km races on the track, he is wearing track shoes--i.e. no padding to speak of. In his marathon and half-marathons, he is wearing normal running shoes, or perhaps a racing flat. Either way, they are still well-padded compared to track shoes. I have always thought they look funny on him, because they are so oversized compared to his skinny calves.* He obviously over-pronates in the video (above). As we know, over-pronation is not an issue for forefoot runners, only for heal strikers. But, did those shoes perhaps corrupt that perfect form, by allowing him to start heal striking, and thus allowing the over-pronation to become an issue?
We barefoot runners would like to think so, but on some level, it's crazy for us to speculate about it (even though I kinda started it). This is a guy who runs 30-40 km before breakfast, and then again before dinner. And he says in the interview that he had been training hard for NY. I'd like to know what training hard means for him.
I stand by my wish that he would reconsider his retirement. I'd like to see him set yet another record. But, he is doing good things for Ethopia. Maybe it is time for him to move on.
Cheers to a great career!
*By the way, studies have shown that proportionally small calf muscles are the only significant difference in the physiology of elite east African runners. Thus, they have less weight in the lower leg that they have to swing around. All other things, like body height, weight, overall length of leg etc. are similar (proportionally speaking) as the elite Europeans, Americans or Asias.
I do recall (but alas cannot now find) an article where he was quoted as saying that he had started to do mid-foot to slight heel strike. Just as you suggest, Blind Boy, it was less an intentional strategy than a consequence of the marathon tempo. Here is a video of him, clearly heal striking: www.youtube.com/watch
But, there is still the issue of the shoes. In his 10km races on the track, he is wearing track shoes--i.e. no padding to speak of. In his marathon and half-marathons, he is wearing normal running shoes, or perhaps a racing flat. Either way, they are still well-padded compared to track shoes. I have always thought they look funny on him, because they are so oversized compared to his skinny calves.* He obviously over-pronates in the video (above). As we know, over-pronation is not an issue for forefoot runners, only for heal strikers. But, did those shoes perhaps corrupt that perfect form, by allowing him to start heal striking, and thus allowing the over-pronation to become an issue?
We barefoot runners would like to think so, but on some level, it's crazy for us to speculate about it (even though I kinda started it). This is a guy who runs 30-40 km before breakfast, and then again before dinner. And he says in the interview that he had been training hard for NY. I'd like to know what training hard means for him.
I stand by my wish that he would reconsider his retirement. I'd like to see him set yet another record. But, he is doing good things for Ethopia. Maybe it is time for him to move on.
Cheers to a great career!
*By the way, studies have shown that proportionally small calf muscles are the only significant difference in the physiology of elite east African runners. Thus, they have less weight in the lower leg that they have to swing around. All other things, like body height, weight, overall length of leg etc. are similar (proportionally speaking) as the elite Europeans, Americans or Asias.
