One of life’s simplest pleasures is going for a run outside. The late Dr. George Sheehan summed it up best: “Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be.” So once in a while let’s forget about footwear, performance standards, and high-tech gadgetry — and instead simply let your body and imagination take you to new and familiar places. Armed with a sense of play as you run, there is no better purpose or outcome other than to escape and be in the moment. That’s the core message of the following video shot and produced by Joel Wolpert that I appear in. Enjoy.
I often critique runner’s styles and will make the following observation: In much of the footage, Dr. Mark appears to run with chicken wings, mostly fixed, tension in the shoulders, with the shoulders moving the arms front and back rather than the shoulders relaxed and stationary, and the arms swinging (especially the left arm in the oncoming footage). I have observed many runners who seem to thrust their shoulders forward in order or as a result of the opposite leg extending back. Don’t know if it is strictly tension or a lack of flexibility. The overhead shots of running in the woods reveal a looser upper body and fixed shoulders. I would appreciate any discussion because I constantly focus on mechanics and effort while running. Is one method more right?
tonguy,
thanks for viewing . This video is about the simple pleasure of “going for a run” and i should have put the disclaimer that i do not have perfect form nor have ever claimed too 🙂 i have many quirks and flaws as almost all runners do with 100k miles on legs. video is good to see obvious things but i’m hesitant to ever micro correct on a video as i have no idea why one is doing something. yes it is usually an area of tissue restriction and mobility deficit. like most, I spend way too much time sitting, typing, and traveling.
my constant focus is relax.during this video i was running next to Joel who was on a skateboard and it was a bit challenge to keep the right speed with him. This may also reflect on how this looks.
best and thanks for coming to the site
Mark
Another awesome video–thanks Dr. Mark!! I’ve been working on the arm swing and the heart rate program is beginning to really pay off. I did not recognize the shoe you have on–what are you wearing?
Yes these are MV2. I have some minor mods to these which we are incorporating into a version 2 of this shoe for 2013…stay tuned. You want a firm, flexible, and flat shoe if you choose to wear one.
Mark
I am loving Mark’s HR training program also. I have dropped my easy run pace from 8:30 per mile to 7:15 per mile over the last 4 months and my HR has never gone above 155. I was wondering if you had seen a more in depth article about the training. I can not find a lot of info besides what Mark talked about in a clinic.
Thanks!
bill k writes,
you will want to read dr. phil maffetone’s big book of endurance training and racing, which goes into great detail on how to effectively train aerobically at a lower hr threshhold.
Jonathon. You can go to my Training Page on http://www.freedomsrun.org and yes Phils book is the thesis.
Mark
Correct me if I’m wrong, but it looks to me like Dr. Mark tucks his chin in a bit. It seems to me that this would help keep the hips level and the core engaged. If ones head is up and out too much, it might lead to sticking the butt out.
Dr. Mark is wearing the Newton MV^2 (MV squared) –
http://www.newtonrunning.com/shop/men-running-shoes/performance-2011-white-mens-mv2.
It is their 0-drop “racing flat” but it is mostly just an awesome natural running shoe. If you’ve ever ran in or even tried on Newton’s, the MV2 has a similar lugged forefoot design that promotes the landing that Mark exhibits in the video.
My wife bikes with me when I run so I know the feeling of just having to keep up with her and at the same time trying to hold good form. Its a challenge but you can’t fault someone with over 100k miles on their body.
LOVE IT Mark! A beautifully shot celebration of running ‘naked’!
Dr. Mark – was that by chance shot at Beaver Creek Reservoir in Crozet as well as some O-Hill footage? I know you’ve got C’ville roots and thought I recognized those areas…Love the video.
ps – Dr. Mark – just ran the MCM with you (but an hour slower) in my Altra Sampsons I got from your store. I ran it last year in high heels, did well, but a month later was injured with IT band pain which led me to my journey towards natural running….this year, I enjoyed my training much more, often just going out and running, trained less and finished with the same time as last year and after the race my feet felt fabulous (compared to terrible foot pain last year!).
In short, I’ve still got a lot of “art” to learn, but this years MCM fully validated my switch to natural running and has helped me actually enjoy running vs. straining through it!
Thanks for the incredible amount of time and effort you put into the NRC!!
John,
congrats on MCM! Health is more important than speed. and yes you have a good eye…those are the spots. i love C-ville and get back there whenever i can to run and play.
Come to UVA RunMed Conf Mar 8/9. More on this later.
Mark
I like the video, but it appear that the last shots of running Mark is has a heel strike form. Was this on purpose?
Jon,
when running down a hill or even on level ground one can land gently on the heel and roll in an efficient elastic pattern . the key is not to overreach. one cannot see forces on video and much gets overinterpretted. there are lots of forefoot strikers with huge impacts as there are beautifully efficient heel landers. is my form ideal? who knows, the video is about going out for a run. thanks for watching!
Mark
Thanks for the great website. This is a superb resource. I’m an active duty AF Colonel (I like the AF shirt). I work a group of decent runners, but we’ve all decided we can improve by using your drills. Do you have those posted in one location? If not, no worries. You are doing a great work…I talk about you to everyone who will listen. Keep it up!
Col Davies,
where are you stationed. maybe we can do a course.
yes we have drills and other material posted
The Efficient Running modules are now available for view on the KX. https://kx.afms.mil/kxweb/dotmil/kjPage.do?cid=ctb_225621&functionalArea=Ctr
TelehealthTheaterInform is the link to the page with Efficient Running
See our YouTube site for videos http://www.youtube.com/user/EfficientRunner?feature=mhee
Thanks for the note! Mark
Mark. I’m at Ramstein. If you head this way, let me know. I’d be happy to work with the fitness center to try to get a course set up. My email address is in the box above, feel free to send me a note.