Have you ever noticed how a lot of athletes are pigeon-toed? No seriously, if you really pay attention to them as they run, for many their feet don’t hit the ground straight. And yet they are faster. It makes you wonder if being pigeon-toed is an actual advantage for you, rather than just an amusing sight for everyone else.
I was so curious I actually looked it up. I mean it would be a great way for the pigeon-toed of the world to get out there and run in public more often, without feeling ridiculed for the way their feet move. Yes, admittedly there are people with this affliction that would rather play on FoxyBingo, or the latest iPhone game than go for a run along the beach, but some might be inspired to run somewhere that isn’t the gym.
It turns out that there isn’t any scientific proof that pigeon-toes make you a good athlete. Although many coaches in sports like basketball and football actually seek out pigeon-toed players. So what is going on with our feet when we run?
The average runner will land on the outside of their foot and roll towards the inside as they go. People who are pigeon-toed have less of a roll towards the inside. Due to this, their foot and ankle joint is often stiffer as it contacts the ground. It is this stiffness that gives them an advantage over other athletes, because the stiffer your foot is when in comes into contact with the ground, the less energy is absorbed by the impact.
This means that a pigeon-toed person’s foot is a bit like a bouncy ball. They bounce back off the ground without losing much energy, quickening their pace. By comparison, people who are not pigeon-toed are more like a deflated ball, with less of a spring to work from.
So tell me, are you pigeon-toed … or did you used to be? If so, what did you do to change your running style?
Posted: March 29th, 2012
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Uncategorized
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Running
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Last September I participated in the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival Half Marathon. Crazy, I know.
We ran all from Kirribilli to the Opera House, and everywhere else in between. I found the first 9km pretty smooth (probably because that’s how far I’ve been running when I train), had a lull between 9 and 14km but when I hit the 2/3 mark I got a psychological boost. It didn’t last long though and I was struggling again between 16 and 18km but then I was on the home stretch!
I just kept telling myself it was a “really long run” and I think that’s what got me through. Although, I also made several mental notes that no matter how satisfied I felt after the run, I never wanted to do one again. Never. Anyway, I finished the half marathon in 1hr 48m and really impressed myself because I was just hoping to break the 2 hr mark!
Now, in the same way mums apparently forget how painful childbirth is, I seem to have forgotten how bad the half marathon really was. So I’m contemplating doing another one!
What do you reckon: are marathons worth enduring the pain for the satisfaction or am I better off being comfortable on the couch?
Posted: March 27th, 2011
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Running
Tags:
half marathon,
mental preparation,
Running,
sydney
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Watch out for the puddle! Courtesy of Broken Hearted Runner
Went for a run in the rain last night. Ok, it wasn’t just raining it was pissing down.
My flatmate told me to take my floaties. I didn’t but I probably should have: I was drenched before I made it to the end of the street. For some illogical reason, the rain actually made me run faster. I think my subconscious was tricked into thinking it might get me out of the rain faster.
I also discovered that jumping in puddles is still as fun as it was when I was five years old! 
Posted: July 22nd, 2010
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Running,
Uncategorized
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rain,
Running
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