Why Do Ultra Runners Heel Strike?

Running is a myth, we actually fly

You have the gorgeous running style

I have read that naturally we run in a few different styles and it generally depends on the surface we are running on.

Thanks for explaining this, it has definitely caused a lot of confusion in conversation. I guess at the end of the day there never really is a wrong or right way, it just comes down to technique and efficiency

I really love people who have a specific way of doing things without saying it's the only correct way, really makes me think they understand their topic if for no other reason than the humility.

Jim Walmsley is an ultra marathoner who does a forefoot strike and freakin' floats over trails. It's a sight to behold.

Sorokin is an absolute beast. He started running in his 30s cause he was overweight and he crushed every world record in ultramarathon distances that you run without resting (100km, 100mi, 6h, 12h, 24h). His 100km record pace is also quite close to 50mi record pace, he just never tried that distance. I follow him on strava and he does 30km 4min/km recovery runs 🤯

Jogging is completely natural. Race walking however, is not.

To be ultra efficient we actually drive

Love the acknowledgement that nobody involved is wrong, they're just doing different things to different standards! Especially the acknowledgement of outliers, cos one annoyingly constant truth in sports/biokinetics is that there is always that one MF that just completely ignores all standard principles because they're constructed alternatively 😂

You’re telling me someone speed walked a fast mile than I can run 😢

There's a difference between heel striking and rolling off the heel

For me it's simple, the faster I run the more I end up on "my toes" while slower paces become a "heel to toe" gait. The former is all about forcing power into the ground, while the latter is about relaxing the body, conserving energy and relying on fascial systems for spring.

Bro how tf you race walking @ 5:31 💀💀

As I 've run a few Ultras and run Snowdon but if you do run an Ultra you'd know..... it's not easy and injuries pop up.... you get to run on other parts of your foot so it doesn't hurt.... and sadly the heel is last part unless you have Plantar Fasciitis then its the worst part to land.... we all know our feet very well.......

as an ultra runner i match the angles of my feet to the trail but the only time heel striking is intentional is when descending steep terrain and thats because its necessary to lean back to control speed not because heel striking is better. its not. your arch is a spring. use it to absorb the energy that would otherwise transfer through your knees and into your back. i dont like to run in super cushy shoes. you lose feel for the trail and raise your center of gravity. so its important to have proper mechanics when youre not relying on inches of foam

hybrid walk/run. best way of putting it I've ever heard 👏👏

Love this, explains both points of view so well.

He really just explained what jogging is like we ain’t know

Yes i love racewalking sm, racewalking is my life❤