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Evolution Running DVD Run Faster with Fewer Injuries
April 13, 2009 by Marathon Running · Leave a Comment
Evolution Running DVD Run Faster with Fewer Injuries
Athletes in every sport except running devote enormous attention to perfecting even minute details of the movements they will be required to produce in competition. Running coaches just tell their athletes to run longer and harder. Runners, and their coaches, have basically ignored technique for years, assuming that their natural stride will give them efficiency and injury resistance. We have found that this simply is not the case. For the past decade, African runners have dominated distance running at its highest levels. Research on what makes these runners faster consistently demonstrates normal VO2 Max and lactate threshold levels for elite runners. Their height, weight, and limb-length ratios all fall into the normal category. Clearly and consistently, what sets the great African runners apart is that they are more efficient than their competitors, running faster without expending more energy. Experts in running economy agree that running barefoot through childhood contributes sig
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Very Good — Not Great
The DVD explains the perfect running style. However, it’s hard to change your running style on your own, by watching a presentation. The DVD does give some running drills (I would have liked more) and some tips. The information presented seems correct, but at times, it seems like an advertisement to hire them to coach you. If you buy the DVD, be sure to watch ALL of it (including the FAQ and problem solving in the extras sections) before you try to change your running style. Most people (including me) try to point their foot too much when they change to a forefoot landing stride. Even now, I’m not sure I’m doing it right. Maybe I should hire them to coach me…
5 Stars Excellent Short Video with Actual Runners Demonstrating Running on the Forefoot with Drills
Excellent straight forward technical video explaining the forefoot running technique that explains why heel running is not only inefficient but contributes to injury by increasing shock loads on parts of the body that are ill equipped to deal with it. The over riding principal is that landing on the forefoot eliminates braking experienced by heel running and that forefoot running mimics barefoot running that is more natural and more conducive to the body’s natural ability for shock absorption. Not an easy or immediate adjustment for traditional heel runners like me, the strength of the foot has to gradually build up, but improvements can be felt quit readily particularly if coached by an observer. The DVD includes discussion of quicker shorter strides keeping foot strike below the hips and not ahead that contributes to injury. A plus is that actual runners demonstrate the techniques and drills. A second section shows the drills exclusively that assist you in performing them. The narrator’s monotone voice is a bit sleep inducing, too bad he didn’t have multiple speakers to break his rhythm, but it’s a lot of good information in less than 30 minutes and a great price.
5 Stars You CAN do it
I would say that Joy didn’t make one of her stupidest purchases ever. Rather, she did the stupidest thing possible by not making a gentle and smooth transition. It took me almost 3 years to pull it off.
First you just need to build up the small muscles in your feet. Just because you run a lot doesn’t mean you have strong feet. Most runners actually have weak feet because they have nothing more than glorified pillows strapped to them. I started by going barefoot in the house all the time. Then I would do light jogging on grass 2-3 times a week for 10 minutes or so at a time. Then I went slowly through 3 different shoes, each one with less cushioning than the previous, each one with less heel lift.
It took me nearly 3 years before all the little (and big!) aches and pains in my plantar area, achilles and lower calf went away. Whenever I felt plantar fasciitis or achilles tendonitis settling in, I’d just back off for a few days, doing less or no running and massaging the hell out the bottoms of my feet and the lower calves. The transition is done, however, and I’m glad I saw it through. I’m in my mid-50s and run faster & farther than I have in years. (I can break 20 for the 5K.) I’ve been injury free for a long time now, and I can run 20 miles in shoes that weigh 3 oz., have no arch support (I have HIGH arches!) and hardly any cushioning. You can roll them up into a little ball.
You can’t simply take years of investment (15 yrs. in Joy’s case, 35 in mine) in a particular FORM of running — to which your entire musculature has adapted! — and expect to change it in the course of a few months. No pity for Joy, and her podiatrist (who keeps in business, in my opinion, from supporting the kinds of shoes that wreak havoc on us and create lazy feet) is just plain dumb. No other call.
There are no shortcuts here (unless you’re very young with few miles under your belt). You have to be wise, patient, and totally committed to seeing it through.
1 Star BEWARE - Causes plantars faciitis!!!
I give this DVD 1 star because Zero is not an option. I have been a runner for 15 years running an average of 70 miles per week. This may sound like overtraining but I have only had one injury until now. Within 2 weeks of trying this running method I developed severe plantars faciitis in both feet. I have had it for 2 months now despite returning to my previous running form. The podiatrist has informed me that running on your forefoot is absolutly not for any distance running. He said it strains the plantar facicia and achilles tendon These tendons are inelastic - yet in the video they say you use elastic recoil. Purchasing this video is one of the stupdist purchased I have ever made in my life!!! Steer clear from this DVD. Even if you increase your speed, you highly increase your chances of injuries to your plantars and achilles. It is not worth it!!!
5 Stars Great for all runners.
I’ve been running for years. I will run one day and then have to rest a day because of knee pain or ankle pain. This dvd shows the right way to run. A must have for anyone starting out or just wanting to improve their time.
