Instructional video on natural running, by Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, Director of the Natural Running Center. naturalrunningcenter.com Thank you to all who have helped me learn.
@@Piccolo_Sun I’m just curious what’s the correct way if this isn’t perfect? He’s only barefoot so you can see body mechanics more clearly. Is that what you were talking about? Thanks for the feedback.
@@TheBostonRunner the correct way is a constant evolution on the fundamentals of movement and body mechanics . this guys logical reasoning is correct however he is still not sensitive enough to get the data he needs to progress in his evolving analyses he needs Ganja. take a look at the barefoot running videos i made even it is not perfect but still a higher evolution to the path of perfection
I’m not fast. Still kind of chubby. However before this video I had a fast time if I went 4 miles in 42 minutes. I found this video mid summer. After watching this for the 2nd half of the summer I managed to shave my time down to 37-38 being the usual time and I have broke 37 a few times and 36 minutes once. It’s amazing what happens when you refine your form.
Great video Dr Cucuzzella. I've seen your cleveland running club videos and it seems I have A serious mobility problem. I can't do anything near a full squat without raising my heels and if I bend my knees just a bit, I can no longer dorsiflex my toes. What can I do about it? Are there any exercises you can recommend?
@Dawid aka Grendel same here, I too have a short stride/high cadence.. I've been trying to achieve it for years but was unable to, it makes me feel like I'm leaking energy that way.
I thought it was just me, every so often it pops up in my feed and as soon as I see it I push the button as if by auto reflex, then I watch it like 3 times
I would go so far as to say that this is the most important instructional running video out there for the average runner. Watch it over and over until you can play it back in your head! :)
Thank you SO MUCH. I rad 2.5 miles 2 days ago at a 9:55 pace and my knee hurt after, watched this video today and just did the same distance at a 7:51 pace with no pain. Amazing! So stoked to work on my form even more now!
Great lessons here. Thank you. I am 52 yrs old and just now finding out that I have been 'running wrong' all of my adult life. I was even proud of my long stride! Now I know why I was never a good distance runner. Really hoping to transition correctly and see the results. I won't be going barefoot, but will go to zero drop shoes and hope to alleviate the PF (from a heel bruise 25 yrs years ago) in my r foot. Boy, do I wish I had known these lessons decades ago. McDougall's "Born To Run" has really helped me see running in a whole new light. Thanks again.
Hey did Born to run teach you anything about running technique? I have read some chapters and realised there were no instructions on how to run barefoot without injuries, atleast i havent read those ... I recommend you to read barefoot running step by step by ken bob saxton.
Throughout the book there are tips and explanations on proper running form and the dangers of wearing "conventional" running shoes. I highly recommend reading the book, just finished reading it tonight.
So I've been following this natural running method for 4 weeks and it's been a game changer. First 2 weeks my calves had to go through some conditioning and it took a fair practise to not over stride into a heel strike but lately I've found super spring in my feet, achillies and calves and its amazing.
10 years later and this is still THE most important video on the subject, AND the most important training tool. I reference this video to everyone that I work with on running form, or am talking with online about the subject of learning how to run correctly, by simply allowing the body to run the way it was built to run. What amazes me most, is the push-back I get from the majority of runners (other than those that I'm actually working with). People absolutely loose their minds over this. It's like talking politics or religion. Unbelievable. And yet how many times have they been injured due to how they run, and what $150 mattress are they currently wearing on their feet?
At 2:50, Dr. Cucuzella talks about making the downward force more powerful. This was the hardest thing to learn. In my head, it seemed like I'd be stomping my feet and I thought, being a forefoot runner, I was supposed to be light on my feet. Once I gave in and made myself do this, EVERYTHING CHANGED! I went from barely being able to run 3 miles without my IT Band tightening up to six miles, faster than I'd ever run and with no pain in one week! Thanks Dr. C!
Dear Keith, Since I'm experiencing pain in the ITB after about 8km (5 miles) of running and I'm not english mother tongue, could you please explain how did you change your stride? how you mange to inrease the downward force without "stomping" the foot on the ground? txn!
Lorenzo Baldi Sure Lorenzo, first. I suggest warming up. It makes a big difference. Especially warm up those muscles around your IT band (side legs lifts and squats seem real effective). Then, about the stride, the way it feels is you lean forward, and when your foot comes down (usually on the forefoot or midfoot) you want to continue pushing it down and about the time your heal hits, you want to think about moving your knee forward. To get it right, I actually made my knees rub each other as they passed, seemed to help me get the form right. All these things; the lean, the impact, and the bringing the knee forward, when done right really cut down on the energy you need and really help prevent injury. Good luck, it takes practice (start slow), and don't forget to warm up! (I made that mistake this morning).
Say what you'd like about natural running, but this kid has a beautiful stride. His mechanics and rythm and muscle tone makes the lecture quite enjoyable. Nice running.
Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) here in Edmonton, Canada ran a minimalist running clinic here last night. I attended, was the only person there at the end, but the instructor ran this video for us and gave me the link so I could see the whole thing. I think Born to Run is an excellent book, but I do question running barefoot on pavement. I'm going to get me some minimalist running shoes. Am a beginning runner and a senior woman who comes from a childhood background of walking barefoot.
I did some of the things you recommend in this video (hip movement, knee drive, arm movement) and instantly felt everything loosen up and flow - my (bare) feet felt better, I breathed easier and I was moving much more quickly. Thank you for the clear explanation!
Dr. Cucuzzella, I must thank you thousand times for this amazing video. This video really transformed my running greatly. I have been trying barefoot running about 2 years ago and I have watched this video but I was not able to make much out of it. I tried drills from books by Mr. Ken Bob and Chi running but I wasn't progressing in spite of a consistent training. I tried the rubber band drill about two months ago and I finally realize the elastic component of my legs and the importance of foot placement under the center of my body. From that moment I watched this video over and over again and this video is the best out there! Line by line, you point out the essentials of running concisely and thoroughly. I now run much more efficient and faster than ever I have ben in my life. Thank you for sharing this amazing knowledge.
That might have been the fastest 8 minute video I watched. Full of great info. "Stand tall, run in place, lean forward as if you were gonna give someone a kiss." Excellent cues
We have been waiting to see the final copy of this for awhile ! It was worth the wait ! Watching Doc's running form gives us goosebumps. We insist all our runners watch his form and learn. Doc.....we are proud to be on this journey with you. We will make sure this goes on our blog and Facebook PAGE and RU-vid channel with our other videos. Thanks for the recognition in the end credits. This will make our patient and runner education an easier job. Our highest of compliments ! The Gait Guys.
This may be the best video on RU-vid. Contains a lifetime of running knowledge and experience (and deserves to be watched again and again to unpack all of the meaning). Thank you, Dr. Cucuzella, for such an amazing contribution!!
This video and your first one have really helped me, thanks so much. I am about 18 months into minimalist running now, and feel sad that I was without it for the first 30 years of my life.
Thank you for making this! I’ve had lots of running injuries throughout the years but ever since I watched this about a year ago, I’ve been mostly injury free thanks to you!
More to come? Great! I've shared this video with so many runners, and I watch it periodically as a refresher. I wish my gait was that fluid and beautiful!
Thank you Dr Cucuzzella, this has been a very informative video. You really helped me see and understand the mechanics behind safe, effective running. I'm still 50 pounds over weight from 20 years of being very sedentary. I started running again 2 months ago, and I feel great but have a long way to go. I'll use your tips to develop my run into a more productive exercise.
"Foot is NOT picked up". Great response to the "pose" advocates! This is a much more realistic and solid explanation of good running form than "pose" or "chi"
Wow, thanks for the concise video! Recently started barefoot running and this is the first video that actually shows the form whilst running outside and not on a tradmill. Good stuff!
What can I say that hasn’t been said. Invaluable information for runners of all levels, beautifully explained. Definitely filled in a lot of the blanks for me after watching dozens of running-form videos.
Stunning running. Just from watching this last week my running this week felt better. I think I was too forefoot since going minimalist, over compensating perhaps. Thanks Mark.
This is fantastic. I have watched your "barefoot running style" video over and over since i started natural running, and always when something didn't feel right in my style I would think back to it and things would come right. This has given me lots more useful knowledge - thanks heaps!
I had several injuries.. I attended the Docs running clinic and learned so much.. I started natural running on 1/15 (the day after my 26.2 marathon) with a torn foot muscle... Since then I have adapted this style and my mileage is safely back up to 10 miles... Patience, Thinking, and common sense.. Once you learn how to run naturally you will laugh at all other forms of running... The body was meant to run a certain way, This way.. Just basic bio mechanics..
This is the most incredible instructional video on running I have ever seen. Thank you Dr. Cucuzzella. I ran for nearly thirty years without a single injury attributed to jogging. In other words, the only injury I suffered from was tripping and falling. Then about 3 years ago, plantar fasciitis. Wow. what a bummer. Now, for the first time in 3 years, I can almost see myself returning to jogging. I've been jumping rope to stay in shape and it really seems to work and didn't seem to aggravate my plantar fasciitis. It's nearly completely gone. Thank you for your time and energy to spread the news. This new paradigm takes someone with both credence and knowledge which you obviously have. You are also an avid runner, the trifecta. Thank you so very much. Blessings to you and your family.
I've run approximately 20,000 miles barefoot inside 100,000 overall. Barefoot requires optimal management of all vectors, velocities & strike patterns.More connection w the earth results in higher intelligence & heightened awareness otherwise unavailable wearing casts/ shoe coffins! I'm currently running twice a day all summer: NO SHOES!! Couldn't be happier!! Strong feet equate to speed & efficiency. This is not 4 everyone,but if you can tolerate even walking barefoot,over time you'll automatically correct alot of weaknesses. Great video--enjoy!
Awesome video, Mark teaches every running principle a keen or novice runner needs to know in 8 minutes. There is no need to watch all the others its all here, whether you run barefoot or in trainers. He also has the perfect runners legs, posture and physique, as a role model.
I now do all my cross fit gym workouts in and outside barefooted! It has been a game changer when it comes to lifting with the barbell. I have a better grasp of the ground, which helps me feel more stable when the bar is loaded. Plus, you just feel free and like you did as a kid.
I love this. No one does a better job of explaining exactly what should be happening. Thank you! I've shared this with many runners. My frustration is that it's extremely difficult to get that high knee and appropriate recoil when someone has an anteriorly tilted pelvis. Would love some help on managing to accomplish this form with a pelvis that is tilted forward, making it hard to get the knee up and the proper recoil. This seems to limit stride angle.
