I'm a runner with a knee problem and over the years have had a lot of advice from various sources as to what I should and should not do while I'm running if I want to keep running. Over time I developed an interest in people's running styles and travelling to work on the bus has provided opportunities to observe commuters' sprinting styles.
The one I have seen most of is the 'not really sprinting' style where people are moving like they are running for the bus but are travelling at speeds not that dissimilar to walking. Whether the person gets to the bus in time to get on it depends largely on whether there is a long enough queue of people waiting to get on the bus rather than the runner's efforts.
The one that amuses me the most is the high-heeled sprint. This is usually used by female commuters. Usually the higher the heels, the smaller the steps. The stride length is so ridiculously small because of the inhibition by the heels that the runner has to move her feet incredibly quickly to actually build up any speed. Whether the person gets to the bus in time to get on depends on the reason mentioned above and if the bus-driver was kindly enough to wait for her.
The one that is most akin to mine is helicopter legs. This involves swinging the legs out at the knee so that they rotate like helicopter rotor blades with each stride. Not the prettiest way to run and not very efficient as often the stride length is limited by the lack of movement at the hip. It is not necessarily slow and may earn the runner a few smiles from his fellow commuters if done well.
Running is actually not as simple as most people think. It is technically demanding if you want to do it well. These days when I run I can't concentrate on the music coming through my earphones as I hear all the advice I have ever been given with every step- engage your core muscles, engage your hips and thighs, pull your knee caps up, don't slouch, keep your shoulders relaxed... It may be paying off- my knee problem is no longer as severe and I hope people don't find it as amusing to see me run as before.
The one I have seen most of is the 'not really sprinting' style where people are moving like they are running for the bus but are travelling at speeds not that dissimilar to walking. Whether the person gets to the bus in time to get on it depends largely on whether there is a long enough queue of people waiting to get on the bus rather than the runner's efforts.
The one that amuses me the most is the high-heeled sprint. This is usually used by female commuters. Usually the higher the heels, the smaller the steps. The stride length is so ridiculously small because of the inhibition by the heels that the runner has to move her feet incredibly quickly to actually build up any speed. Whether the person gets to the bus in time to get on depends on the reason mentioned above and if the bus-driver was kindly enough to wait for her.
The one that is most akin to mine is helicopter legs. This involves swinging the legs out at the knee so that they rotate like helicopter rotor blades with each stride. Not the prettiest way to run and not very efficient as often the stride length is limited by the lack of movement at the hip. It is not necessarily slow and may earn the runner a few smiles from his fellow commuters if done well.
Running is actually not as simple as most people think. It is technically demanding if you want to do it well. These days when I run I can't concentrate on the music coming through my earphones as I hear all the advice I have ever been given with every step- engage your core muscles, engage your hips and thighs, pull your knee caps up, don't slouch, keep your shoulders relaxed... It may be paying off- my knee problem is no longer as severe and I hope people don't find it as amusing to see me run as before.
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