Looking closer at form- Center Mass

     After establishing that a Centerfoot Landing is my first "cue ", it became necessary to put the foot down in the correct spot. I find there is agreement on the importance of eliminating what is known as overstriding. Overstriding can best be described as lengthening the stride by reaching the lead leg forward. In my previous post I said that I try to focus on landing under my center of mass when I run. While this is true, I wish to explain this more completely.
   In discussing this topic online others such as Steve Magness at the blog scienceofrunning.com and Peter Larson at runblogger.com, both excellent blogs, have pointed out the problem of landing under the center of mass. The problem is that while running you can't effectively land under your center of mass/center of gravity, it's not physically possible. I concede the point and agree with them. My "cue" is actually- Center Mass.
     As a cue I like to choose words or short phrases that are meaningful and effective to me at reinforcing or reminding me of good form. For me, "Center Mass" allows me to avoid overstriding and bring my foot landing to where it feels as if I'm landing under my center of mass. The fact that my foot is landing under my knee and at a point about 10" in front of my center of mass is not what I focus on, but is actually what is happening. When I use this cue I am able to feel my stride improve and it smoothes out my running and prevents straining/stressing my knees and hips. The cue also helps reinforce the benefits of proper posture and alignment while running- slight forward lean essentially from the ankles- and the feel of feet, under hips, under shoulders. I like to call the forward lean- anticipatory lean- as it can illustrate the slight amount that is required.
      Just for clarification, the primary reason to avoid overstriding is to reduce braking forces while you run and to reduce the chances of injury due to impact forces at landing.       
     This is an interesting time to be a runner as there are many developments in minimalist shoes and a renewed focus on better running form and technique going on today. Below are two links to posts from the great running focused blogs that I mentioned....... http://www.runblogger.com/2010/09/changing-running-form-my-journey-to.html#              http://www.scienceofrunning.com/2009/01/learning-how-to-run.html