The Quick Step

I blogged last year about the importance of a speedy running cadence.  I've forgotten my own advice lately, and definitely felt the impact.  My last few times out doing intermittent running, I ran with a slow cadence.  I began to notice that the running didn't feel good, and I also didn't feel so hot the next day.

When I run with a fast cadence (180 steps per minute - 3 steps per second), the running feels fine and the next day I feel okay.  I have no explanation for why this is so important.  Maybe slow-cadenced running increases the impact forces on the body and trips the stress response.  I'm not sure, but I do know that the two different cadences lead to very different outcomes for me.