Increasing Stride Length
You cannot run faster by consciously trying to increase
your stride length. When you try to take longer strides that feel
unnatural, you lose energy and run more slowly. Your most
efficient stride length is determined by what feels most
comfortable to you.
Your heel hits the ground with great force. The tendons
in your legs absorb some of this energy and then contract forcibly
after your heel hits the ground so you regain about 60 to 75
percent of that stored energy. When you try to take a stride that
is longer than your natural one, you lose a great deal of this
stored energy, tire much earlier and move your legs at a slower
rate.
When most athletes run as fast as they can, they run at
close to the same stride rate. For example, a video at the New
York City Marathon showed that the top 150 runners had the
same cadence, taking 92 to 94 steps a minute. The difference
between the top runners and the others is that the best runners
took longer strides. The key to running faster in races is to make
your leg muscles stronger so you can contract them with greater
force so they drive you forward with a longer stride. Competitive
runners strengthen their legs by running very fast in practice two
or three times a week and by running up and down hills once or
twice a week.
Checked 10/29/10