I was doing some experimenting last night (again) with running, and I think I've come up with something. I believe that trying to consciously "pick up my feet" has been the factor that has been actually slowing me down. As the quotes below show, putting too much conscious thought into running can actually be a negative.
From Matt Fitzgerald:
"There is a newer theory of running biomechanics which holds that the stride is best improved unconsciously instead of consciously. It is well known that stride efficiency and power increase automatically through subconscious processes in response to different types of training. It is not known whether consciously manipulations of stride form can be beneficial, and if so, which specific changes are beneficial for which runners. Therefore your efforts to improve your stride should consist primarily if not entirely in training methods that stimulate “automatic” gains in power and efficiency."
And from a really good Fitzgerald article:
" McGregor’s studies indicate that there is no such thing as good running form. Rather, skillful running is the result of an unconscious, evolutionary process wherein each runner’s unique body finds its own best way to run economically, resulting in a form that is slightly different from that of any other runner."
"The point I’m getting at is that the only common theme in terms of the methods used to acquire the ability to run well are running a lot, and probably running fast and running against people who push you to push your limits. If we look at individuals who run a fair bit but don’t train with a group, they typically don’t exhibit some of the characteristics we ascribe to some of the best runners."
This is more of a qualitative than a quantitative analysis, but it makes sense. Again, from the field of complex systems, it’s what some people might call self-organization. When you run against people who push you to run faster, you find the optimal way to run that speed—or you don’t. Running is so complex that it’s difficult to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together consciously. The only thing you have to do consciously is try to run fast, and then the pieces of technique required to do that fall into place unconsciously. In other words, running technique improves through a process of self-organization, and that’s something you see in a lot of complex systems."
Excellent! And here's an article on the how-to part.
I’m sorry I have to chime in. Given that in his book RUN: The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel, Matt Fitzgerald states that he is chronically injured, I don’t think he is any position to give advice on how to go about improving one’s technique.
He also consistently quotes the same poorly designed studies to bash Pose. So I don’t think he understands much about running technique or the supporting science.
From what I’ve read, he flip-flops quite a bit, so I would have to agree in general. I am leaning towards more of an “unconscious” way of running – but based on certain conditions (barefoot and on natural terrain).
More in the next post.
You need to try and run laps on a track at night,dusk or early morning for an extended period(the point is being in the dark)…it become so mesmerizing after awhile that it feels like an out of body experience…
Reading this brought back memories. In the second post on my running transition (below) I comment that it just finally clicked one day after years of tinkering. Thinking back, what happened was that I had pretty much given up hope of good running form and just stopped trying to ‘fix’ everything. There were some basics of course, like not landing on my heels, but in a way, just relaxing about it made the difference.
http://aspenpaleo.blogspot.com/2011/12/running-ii.html
Matt,
I just read Aaron’s post. He makes a very good point.
My martial arts teacher used to say” you only need to do the technique one with the right feeling……than just recreate that feeling when your practicing”
Don’t over analyse too much…… Keep going and it will come.
I’ve had the feeling a few times going for a run……but it’s hard to recreate for me continuously.
Marc
Aaron,
Great post, thanks.
I was out running this morning, looking for that same effortless feeling you talk about it. It comes and goes for me as well.
You might find this interesting for
http://iyca.org/the-four-stages-of-skill-acquisition-for-young-athletes/
Also google internal vs external focus for athletic training. External focus always wins.
Thanks Rod, I will check it out.