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We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

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Re: We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

#171

Post by notheguyouthink »

johnny99 wrote: post #140
rosser wrote: post #9

The Fine Article doesn't really go into how we're doing it wrong, beyond a passing mention of barefoot running, and some dissing of treadmills (which is hyperbolic and orthogonal to reality; you can run "correctly" or "badly" on a treadmill or on the street or trail). I used to run a bit. Did an informal "couch to 5k" over a couple of months, before I'd even discovered that was a thing. The single most effective thin…

I've run consistently for the past 30 years, most often in the spirit of the article: long, slow, meditative runs. What my cross country coach in high school called Long Slow Distance ("limber up gentlemen, we'll be doing LSD today!"). Tried a fitbit for a while, found that reducing it to numbers took the joy out of it. I'm back to where I started: no accelerometers or earphones, outdoors, ideally on a trail. I don't…

I think we as humans really need to learn a line between medical treatments and help-your-self. Medicine is dolled out far too easily, when as you mentioned, activity that our body is meant to do is so much more effective.

The simply things in life like exercise are so amazing for us. At work I have back problems, yet they completely go away as long as I keep my core in check. I did this by simply buying a pull up bar for easy upper body workouts and almost like magic, the pain is gone. As an aside, physical activity (mild lifting weights, and pull-ups) also seems to stay off repetitive elbow pain I was having from computers too.

We're simply machines being used wrong and seeking incorrect fixes. Medicine is obviously needed in many cases - running won't fix everything.. but I wish doctors would be harder on people. We know what helps, we know what fixes things. Doctors seem almost to be enablers, more than anything. Almost to a harmful degree..

Re: We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

#172

Post by sarnu »

simonswords82 wrote: post #146
johnny99 wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've run consistently for the past 30 years, most often in the spirit of the article: long, slow, meditative runs. What my cross country coach in high school called Long Slow Distance ("limber up gentlemen, we'll be doing LSD today!"). Tried a fitbit for a while, found that reducing it to numbers took the joy out of it. I'm back to where I started: no accelerometers or earphones, outdoors, ideally on a trail. I don't…

Are you me?!? I too went all in on the numbers, heart rate monitor, detailed running plans, 5k competitive park runs every weekend. I thought I should run at least x times a week or I'm doing it wrong. Holy cow, did it suck the enjoyment out of it. Having MapMyRun shout in my ear every kilometer meant I couldn't just zone out and enjoy the run. Then I fell down some stairs at a tube station in London and popped my pa…

> I always recommend to people now that if they can they should cycle and run. And not only because of some health reasons, I would miss either of it if I concentrated on only running or cycling.

Re: We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

#173

Post by notheguyouthink »

zzalpha wrote: post #64
rosser wrote: post #9

The Fine Article doesn't really go into how we're doing it wrong, beyond a passing mention of barefoot running, and some dissing of treadmills (which is hyperbolic and orthogonal to reality; you can run "correctly" or "badly" on a treadmill or on the street or trail). I used to run a bit. Did an informal "couch to 5k" over a couple of months, before I'd even discovered that was a thing. The single most effective thin…

TL;DR, the gist of the "wrong" is that we've been trained by "trainers" (over-padded athletic shoes) to run in a straight-legged, heel-lands-first manner. Any reputable running clinic will teach you to make contact with the ground at the middle of your foot with a slightly bent knee. That's just well understood, proper technique, regardless of footwear. The real problem is people hitting the pavement without learning…

> Any reputable running clinic will teach you to make contact with the ground at the middle of your foot with a slightly bent knee.

Honestly, I'm shocked anyone lands heel first anyway. I was never a runner.. but even as a youth, I didn't do this. It was obvious what felt good, and what felt good was engaging the knee and ankle, using them as springs, etc etc.

I don't understand why people need to be taught how to run. Very strange to me.

Re: We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

#174

Post by sarnu »

simonswords82 wrote: post #167
Sharlin wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there any human endeavor where going super technical, analytic, and by-the-numbers on it sooner or later robs all joy of it?

I guess it's related to personality types. Some people simply will not undertake an activity they wish to improve upon (exercise, coding, playing an instrument etc) without objective numbers guiding them and relaying their progress. Others, like myself and perhaps OP, are happy enough to undertake an activity and be less scientific about their performance so long as they "feel" they are making progress and more impor…

> I guess it's related to personality types.

This and it also depends on your experience. When I started running I also used a heart rate monitor and training plans guided by an app. By the time I got a feeling how fast I can run I ditched the heart rate strap. Now I still use a running watch with gps, but do not let it set my pace. On the other hand, I'm not ino competitive running, I'm doing it just for fun.

Re: We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

#175

Post by rimliu »

throwanem wrote: post #100
ErikAugust wrote: post #89

From the article: "The first thing I’d say is, you’re probably not doing it right. Most people dislike running because they have memories of things like running for a bus. That kind of running is usually deeply unpleasant, almost vomit-inducing. Most beginners give up when they get injured because they’ve done too much, too soon. Most of the benefits from running derive from going very slowly." I find this premise to…

Seconding long walks. It's easy! You just look around for something interesting, and let your feet carry you toward it - they know what to do, and they will if you let them. Repeat as necessary. When you start to run out of puff, look for interesting things nearer home than not. Stay away from roads and sidewalks, if you can. Trees give shade, and shade is cool and pleasant and helps you husband your energy for findi…

  > Chat with people. Say hello. Make eye contact.
  > Exercise the social skills that help you make
  > unplanned interactions mutually enjoyable.
But please, do not do it with me. I love walking and long walks (just this month I've done three ~40km walks). I fully agree with a few of your points (like keeping phone and earbuds away), but why does not concept of consent apply to chat? When I am walking it is kind of meditation for me and the last thing I want it for some random guy to start small talk. If one wants to improve social skills, why not to start by learning where small talk is appropriate and expected and where one should not do it?

"Unplanned interactions" is very annoying thing, and I guess that is true not only for me but for other introverts too.

Re: We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

#176

Post by J_Sherz »

JauntyHatAngle wrote: post #124
ak217 wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been running recreationally since high school, I average about 20 miles/week, an even mix of road/trail. I'm also a bit heavier than a typical avid recreational runner, putting more stress on my legs and feet. Having gone through a variety of shoes, I'd like to caution people about the minimalistic shoe trend, especially if you run mostly on pavement. It's true that overly cushioned shoes can cause heel strike a…

I second this. I've always wore "normal" joggers, been running, playing sport etc without a problem for decades. Swapped to minimalist shoes, and bam, had shin splints for months, I assumed it was the amount I was running for a while before I realised it was just the shoes and their lack of support. Went back to my normal shoes and got insole supports for my new shoes, the shin splints went away very quickly. Turns o…

I have had a similar experience, but am still trying to find the right balance.

I'm a little heavier than the average runner and was getting shin splints in regular running shoes on the "back side" of my leg. Switched to barefoot shoes (and probably didn't build up slowly enough) and had Achilles tendon issues. It fixed the shin splint problem for a while, but then they reappeared, this time on the front side of the leg.

I'm now on insole supports and regular shoes, but still not able to run as much as I'd like without the tell tale signs of shin splints showing up.

I suspect my running gait is partly to blame, but it's surprisingly difficult to change this after years of one method.

Re: We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

#177

Post by cafard »

rosser wrote: post #9

The Fine Article doesn't really go into how we're doing it wrong, beyond a passing mention of barefoot running, and some dissing of treadmills (which is hyperbolic and orthogonal to reality; you can run "correctly" or "badly" on a treadmill or on the street or trail). I used to run a bit. Did an informal "couch to 5k" over a couple of months, before I'd even discovered that was a thing. The single most effective thin…

Ever since this became a meme, I have made a habit of noticing other runners' strides. Women almost never are heel-strikers. Men land a little farther back in general, but still more of them hit mid foot than on the heel. Not every shoe will work for every foot, but I don't think that one needs to go as far as the five-fingers shoes.

Re: We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

#178

Post by alistairSH »

exhilaration wrote: post #98
rb808 wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most runners I see around here have never been to a clinic.

How does one find a running clinic?

Google? ;)

Many shops that sell running shoes will also offer clinics, coaching, races, and other activities. Helps them build brand awareness and community. Of course, they're goal is to sell more product, but generally, the events that are co-hosted with manufacturers will be obvious.

Even if your local running shop doesn't host events themselves, they can almost certainly point you to a local running club which likely will host events.

That said, I'm not sure that a attending a clinic will be fruitful if you're a completely new runner. It might be better to get some good running shoes and run a bit on your own first. Get a feel for what you enjoy, hate, and what aches and pains you get over time. Then attend the clinic - you'll be more in-tune with your body and better able to communicate with the coach.

Just my $0.02 as a long-time casual runner. I do race, but not seriously. Currently, run twice a week - 7-8 miles on the weekend, and another 4-5 miler during the week. I cycle the other days.

Re: We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

#179

Post by pgeorgep »

I agree running has gotten to be muddied by the complications of technology. It's meant to be an archaic practice emphasizing a meditative state. The process should be focused solely on meditative benefits, with physical benefits coming as a secondary benefit.

Re: We Evolved to Run But We're Doing It Wrong

#180

Post by sjeohp »

joekrill wrote: post #169
rosser wrote: post #9

The Fine Article doesn't really go into how we're doing it wrong, beyond a passing mention of barefoot running, and some dissing of treadmills (which is hyperbolic and orthogonal to reality; you can run "correctly" or "badly" on a treadmill or on the street or trail). I used to run a bit. Did an informal "couch to 5k" over a couple of months, before I'd even discovered that was a thing. The single most effective thin…

No offense to you personally, but it's kind of disconcerting that this is the top comment. You've outright admitted to only having "used to run a bit" -- and not very much, at that. But then go on to promote barefoot running as if you're somehow a fully qualified expert who knows enough to talk on the matter and declare barefoot running is _clearly_ the answer. I'm not saying you're wrong or right. This shoed/barefoo…

As a lifelong athlete the on-your-toes style of barefoot running is the best way to run. If you cannot run on your toes you are not built to run. There are rare heel-running sportspeople but running is not their competitive strength. Over long distances it is easy to fall back on heel-running out of laziness, because the impact is absorbed more by joints and less by tired muscles, but that is a failure of fitness and a sub-optimal style.

Barefoot vs shoes is more of a personal choice. A cushioned heel can permit bad style by reducing pain, whereas barefoot forces proper technique or else breaks your feet. However proper technique once you have it doesn't depend on footwear.

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