17 replies to this topic

[Sparkie]

Was out running in a new pair of shoes today. Noticed that my foot falls were much quieter than in my previous pair of shoes. Is this a good sign or just the vagaries of different materials and manufacturing?

[Jogger]

maybe as they were new they still had some cushioning.

[wombatface]

Were they the same model? As Kev says, fresh shoes can make a different noise.

That's another thing I find interesting about the Frees - the ability to run almost silently and sneak up on people in the group. I suspect it's due to their flexibility. They also give you an awareness of how you're landing on the ground - slight changes in foot position can make them even quieter.

[Sparkie]

Quote

Were they the same model? As Kev says, fresh shoes can make a different noise.

Loco Expressos - completely different to my Asic Speedstars. More a general query as to whether a quiet foot fall is a sign of good biomechanics?

[Cl@rkey]

I definitely judge my 'form' by my foot fall.
If its smooth and quiet, then I know I'm in the right groove or rhythm. If I get the slaps, or the definite heel to toe transition then its a heavy legs day.

But - there is a difference between different shoes, so its a case of 'learning' what is quiet for a particular model.

So for you it could be a mixture of both - time will tell.

[theycallmerhino]

Good question. I had also wondered about this. Particularly since I bought some professionally fitted shoes which had the opposite effect - much louder sounds, like I was dragging my feet for the first time.

Physio's been doing a fair bit of work on my legs, and he's of the opinion that my inactive quads aren't enabling the leg motion as well as they should be. This may cause the foot fall volume issue. But he conceded, it could be a lot of things, including the shoe change to something not quite right.

[Old chook]

Max Cherry (running coach, AO gong) told me it was an indication of efficient running style. You can never hear the Kenyans coming, whereas the galumphing white guys shake the ground with their steps.

So I've been trying to sneak along like a Kenyan. Otherwise the only similarity I can see between them and me is that we put our shorts on one leg at a time.

[Steve 'The Footman']

When you are making noise then you are putting effort into creating it. That is less efficient. It also is an indication of increased impact forces which leads to increased injury risk.

This is the main reason why you should run in the shoes before buying them. We train our staff to always look out for this. Theycallmerhino, if you bought the shoes from us then bring them back for a free replacement.

Some people do this in every shoe and require gait modification sessions to change it. It is not something you should put up with.

I wrote an article for runners world discussing it which can be found here:
foot talk article

Edited by Steve 'The Footman', 12 July 2007 - 10:59 AM.

[hungry4it]

In my case it's definate biomechanics. I start to slap as I get tired, in turn giving me more breaking, slowing me more and causing me to slap more. A cycle I'm trying to break. Had various runners and it's always the same, definately notice it more when I race (10kms). Seem able to keep my form in 5kms, and halfs due to the slower pace. It's no surprise that according to the mcmillian speed calculator my 10kms are 1 1/2 min slower than they should be. I put it down to the slapping in the 2nd 5km.

Hope this helps

[Abby]

Same here - if I start to hear my foot slapping, then that's a trigger for me to pay attention to my form...

Usually happens in the back-half of a long run, or on days when I'm just being lazy....

Cheers,
Abby

[theycallmerhino]

Thanks Footman for the offer, but I feel the shoes (Brooks Adrenaline) aren't the problem.

I got the new shoes around the same time a knee was starting to struggle - probably from the effects of increased training on fallen arches, and other issues. (The wife is still enjoying "I told you so" status.)

And I'm starting to remember I only had the friction issue on the homeward stretch of a long run, or when my knee was tender from a previous session.

Happy to continue with the shoes - it's been 310km, including GC full marathon.

Physio wishes to assess me for orthotics. He thinks the pre-GC pain was part of a pretty rich tapestry of issues spanning from pretty flat feet.

Perhaps straightening that out, then listening to my feet might assist?

Cheers
Ryan

[glenda]

the only drawback of not making much noise is that you can scare people when you run past them. or may be thats a positive if you have a wierd sense of humour

[Hermie]

Several years ago before I discovered Adidas Supernova Cushions,I tried on two pairs of Mizuno cushioned shoes on the same day,same shop,same time.The most expensive made this terrible slapping noise on footfall,but the only slightly cheaper model dis not make any noise and the footfall was as quiet as I get.This leads me to think it can be the shoe's fault as well.Can't remember the shoe person's reason for the difference.Steve might be able to explain.It was his shop after all and I did buy the cheaper Mizunos.

[southy]

I pay attention to foot fall noise and try to keep my steps as light as possible. A lighter footstep is far more effecient.
However, I have noticed that sometimes with new trainers, they are stiff and my feet can not roll as the usually do and I hear flapping. After a few days of running in them they loosen up a bit and I go back to running as I usually do. Shoes do make a difference. Lighter shoes bend and flex a lot more and are much easier to run in. That's one reason I can not bear racing in trainers.

[Max72]

Definately agree with the more noise more impact idea. Doing some barefoot running is a great way to become more aware of how hard you are hitting the ground. It will also stop you heel striking which is often a big part of the problem, especially when running downhill.

Your Tibialis Anterior (controls dorsiflection) tries to control the 'slapping' as we heelstrike on the dowhills. This puts a lot of stress on a relatively small muscle and often results in medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) aka shinsplints.

I suffered from this some years ago and found barefoot/pose method techniques helpful. I now run in fivefingers and have been (touch wood) injury free for several years.

[bertrevert]

Beware the "Stepping Man" ... he sort of grunted and wheezed and had teh loudest footfall I've ever heard as if constantly running downhill and unfortunately shadowed me for 1-2km in the Blackmores Half last year. I couildn't get rid of that ghoul for ages.

[brizza]

foot fall noise is interesting and is a general indicator of mechanics.i did the london marathon in '86 andfound myself running along in a 2.50ish group with two people not wearing shoes and both had a little slapping noise with every foot plant,they were both midfoot striking landing with the three middle metheads first then foot flat and momentary heel contact and straight to heel off,i met them later as they came in,the girl was portugese and the man was a white anglosaxon londoner,the girl was about 50 kilos and he was about 75ks,they both had similar mechanics and gait characteristics.i tried it later and found it to tiring,i suspect due to having a slightly bigger Q angle and needing a bit of pronation which i didn't have whilst barefoot

[DECIM8]

The new Nike Free 3.0 designed as a superlight weight free trainer for sprinters etc is a good shoe to enhance your ability to mask your footfall noise. The super thin midsole encourages the foot to work overtime and the minimum cushioning will MAKE you focus on your steps..

I.e you hit the ground hard you'll feel it

May help some people. I wouldnt recommend this shoe at all for a heavy O/P unless you have first trained in the 7.0 and 5.0 prior to it.. A medium 0/P should also begin on a 5.0 at least