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A Picture's Worth
Yes, I was considering making this post exactly 1,000 words, but it's a lot easier to just mention that than to actually count the words. Although, I won't promise that I won't. I also won't promise that this one has much involvement with bikes, although I did ride one to yesterday's and Saturday's runs. Heck, on Sunday morning, with the 8am run start over an hour away at Quabbin Gate Eight, I even rode, before sunrise, past the place where I was hit in 2022, with much better outcome than back then. Yeah, I guess it is always at least a little about the bike.
But really, this one is much more about running. Since I sort of became a runner, a number of people have mentioned that I have a unique stride, and I don't think they mean I look like I'm trying to ride a bike while running. Then again, with my habit of carrying handlebars, maybe that is it. Hmm. But seriously, if I can manage that, I think it's because most of my proportionally long legs are below the knee. One of those engineer-turned-biomechanics-PhDs I know once told me the leg functions as a double pendulum, and increasing the lower segment makes for a more efficient swing. My sister's high school running coach once saw me at a town "fun run" race when I was a middle school lad, and her comment was, "Distance runner: long lower leg."
Of course, the down side of that efficient swing is that I don't lift my feet off the ground, so my hands frequently become my down side when I trip. Running trails, I trip a lot. I always run in gloves because I crash more running than mountain biking, although, maybe with practice, I can improve my skill there. As for how this all looks, I've always relied on others' assessments, as if I tried to watch myself while running, I'd probably trip even more.
But yesterday's run was also a farewell gathering for my friend Wouter, who has worked as a biomechanics professor at UMass, and yes, he's one of the ones with an engineering degree. As part of the goodbye, a lot of pictures were being taken, including ones as we ran, by Jake. Ah, yes, that gave a chance to compare my stride to others without trying to keep my eye on the ball, of my foot (or any other bad pun you prefer). Yup, one caught me at full backward extension of my rear leg, and no, there isn't much distance between it and the ground, perfect for snagging roots, rock, and other tripping hazards. I'm content with my lazy stride: less heavy lifting of my small feet.
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