Foot Strike and Landing

If you want to know what type of runner you are, video analysis is a great way to identify your running gait. If this is out of reach for you then the simplest way is to get a friend to observe how your foot lands when you run. One of the best way is to observe as you run on a flat surface or on the treadmill

There are 3 types of foot strike.

Heel Striker (Rear Striker)

This is the most common way to land on your heel first before rolling up through the rest of your foot. Heel Striker tend to have a slower foot turnover due to the time between the foot hitting and leaving the ground. Thus, this could mean slower speed per Km.

Tip: Get more cushioning shoe especially on the heel of the shoe to absorbed the shock for your heel

Mid-foot Striker

Landing near the mid section of foot means that the heel never actually strike the ground. The shock is then equally absorbed and most runners of this running style are less likely to get injured

Tip: Get cushioning and support type shoe especially on at the heel and the toe of the shoe.

Forefoot Striker

If you are in this category, you fall in the same category as elite runners. Forefoot strikers have a fast turnover, which means they run faster as their heels never touches the ground. New shies such as Newton, have been introduced to runners to encourage heel striker and mid foot striker to run more forefoot where by they will be landing on their toes.