Transitioning to a ‘Forefoot Running Style,’ is a gradual process.

And I mean extremely gradual. There are no short cuts here. The muscles and tendons are being used in a new way that the body is not used to. It’s plyometrics. It’s using the tendons and muscles as springs. It takes time to adjust.

How gradual? How much time? You will likely only be able to run about 10% of the distance you’re used to running with the ‘common running style,’ (in which the entire foot touches down). It will likely take months to get back up to that volume of running. But when you do get back up to those distances, your overall form and strength will be far superior. And throughout the entire process, you will be far less susceptible to injury. (note: you don’t need to have a pre-established distance with the ‘common running style,’ if you’re starting from scratch/ ‘couch potato’, you can do a few intervals of less than a minute.)

The gradual nature of this transition, is what helps it become a way of life. Since there’s no shortcuts,   there’s only healthy routines. These healthy routines can build upon each other.

The truth is, it requires a lot of faith in the process. We’re all for ‘Couch potato to Marathon.’ ( or wherever you’re starting from, and wherever you’re heading to). But you can’t predict where you’ll be by race day, nor can you predict exactly what times you will accomplish as you progress. It’s much safer for the body to let it take as long as it takes to get there. Goal times and race dates are important if you want them, but never at the cost of going beyond what the body is capable of; Today. What your body is capable of; is different every day. Whether you are gradually getting healthier, or gradually getting less healthy, your abilities will vary from day to day. Learning to listen to what your body is capable of today is crucial for a healthy, injury free running experience.