Foot strike and running questions

That's cool.  Its actually refreshing to hear someone running this way and there is not anyhting "wrong" with it if its working for you.   In my previous post I wasn't necessarilly suggesting that you HAVE to change from forefoot.  I just said that it can cause problems in the lower legs for some runners.  So, you might not need to change if its natural for you.   Your soreness could be from something else, too, so be carefull about assuming you need to change your stride. 

In fact, I first suggest that you check if your foot impact point is close to your center of gravity with your natural stride before attempting to change it.  If you are landing close to underneath your body now, there are probably other issues at play.

I'm coming at it from the opposite direction.  I was a heel-striker and have been making the transition to more of a mid-to-fore foot strike over the past ten months.  I'd say I've ended up with a mid-foot strike, as I can see all of my footprint in the dirt when I retrace my steps, but I have the sensation of coming down more towards the balls of my feet.  I'm no faster or slower than before (maybe marginally faster from conditioning), and I have to be a fanatic about stretching my calf muscles.  Achilles tendonitis is more of a concern now, as well.  But no PF, and no knee problems, which drove me to make the change. 

So, from my perspective, when it comes to running you can pick your poison -- choose which part of your anatomy takes the impact and strain.

I like a mid foot strike...land on the outside ball of the foot then a fraction of a second later light heel touch down. It would take tensing up the calf muscles to keep to heel from touching that would wear me out and have calf issues.

I would concentrate on what your knee's, hips and shoulder alignment is more than your foot landing. If your body position is good your foot will land under your center of gravity which is what you really want for injury prevention. Who knows about the PF may not be related to your landing. 

How old are you?  I'm sorry to tell you, but somewhere between 26 and 36 years of age you begin to get "old".  In your 40's? you're definitely getting old.  In your early 20's one can do anything, such as lace up your shoes, walk out the door and run 10 miles.  I did.  Maybe a little sore the next day, but fine the day after that.  In your 40's and beyond, THE GOAL is running, conditioning, improving, WITHOUT INJURY.  The way to do this is: proper stretching, warm up, workout (no more than 10% increased over last month), cool down, stretch some more, ice the muscles, ibuprophen, vitamins, fish oil supplements, drink lots of water, get lots of sleep, take a day off for recovery once or twice a week.

If you're in your 30's start with a very light warm-up (slow jog 2 - 3 minutes) then "assume the position" and for 2 minutes do the classic "runners stretch" (stand like you're trying to push down a utility pole) which stretches your calf muscles.  Personally I've found dynamic stretching (slowly moving to full extension and back, repeat) is better than static stretching.  Definitely don't "bounce" stretch.  Stretching your calf muscles is 100% the best thing to prevent plantar fasciiatis -- ask any doctor.  Fore foot, mid-foot, heel striker doesn't matter.  Stretch.

I know all of this from personal experience.  Much of it learned the hard way.  Take heed and spare yourself the pain and long time for recovery.  Don't believe me, ask any old marathoner you know.

Good luck.

Bill