how to become a forefoot runner
How to Become a Forefoot Runner
Among numerous strategies applied by athletes to improve their running speed, forefoot running happens to be the most favorite. Let us see how one can take up this skill and become a forefoot runner.
- Remember to dedicate a few minutes for warm up before you start running. Start walking at a slow pace, then do some heel flicks, or forward lunges. The point is to make sure that you don't break into a run without stretching your muscles, otherwise you may end up with injuries. Ideally a warm up may last for 5 to 10 minutes.
- If you are a beginner, then practicing in the evening is the most suitable time to do so. This is because, the muscles in our feet loosen up later in the day. It is easier to practice a new exercise or running technique when your muscles are most flexible.
- Do not expect your feet to cope up with long distance jogs when you start out. Limit your jogs to a mere 2 miles for the first fortnight.
- Start practicing by bending slightly forward. You might feel like bending your knees a little. Do it, as it will reduce some initial stress.
- Listen to what your feet tell you and stop jogging if your feet signal discomfort while running.
- Ideally, shuttle your jogs between heels and forefeet styles from time to time till you feel ready to stick to your new style.
- Make sure to gently massage the balls of your feet at the end of every jogging session. You may bathe your feet with warm water and Epsom salt to relieve the stress.
- Forefoot running will increase your running speed in the long run. Similarly, it offers many health benefits to the people practicing this art. Here is why you should switch to forefoot running.
- Research shows that muscles in a runner's feet strengthen when he practices forefoot running. This helps to reduce occurrence of muscle pain and injuries along with common athletic problems such as tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, runner's knee, and fractures.
- Mid-foot and heel running is known to induce pressure on the arch of the foot. This can get stressful in the long run and can even cause a collapsed arch in the foot. Forefoot running on the other hand, can help to reduce this problem to a great scale.
- People who opted to use this technique have reported a considerable reduction in calf muscle pain.
- A normal method of running or jogging can put a lot of stress on the knees and hips of a person. This is because our knees and hips act like shock absorbers. On the other hand, forefoot running eliminates the passing of a shock or a jerk to the hips. This can considerably reduce problems of hip and back pain on account of running.
- Forefoot running helps conserve energy levels of people who practice this technique.