I’m writing this blog on the 203rd anniversary of the birth of our 16th President: Abraham Lincoln. I don’t think I’m alone in believing that he was the greatest President. I have other favorites, some quite close, but he is #1. A blog is a story and Lincoln was a master story teller. So, please allow me a moment in this blog to talk about Lincoln’s use of stories. He used stories to make a point, to draw people to him, and to deflect conversation from an issue that he wasn’t ready to discuss. The great poet Walt Whitman said that Lincoln’s storytelling was a “weapon which he employ’d with great skill.” His stories could disarm opponents or offer up an understandable truism that supported a position he was taking.
(Photo from the Grand Rapids Public Museum exhibit: Thank God for Michigan: Stories of the Civil War. “Thank God for Michigan” is a quote from Lincoln in response to our State sending troops for the Union Army )
I have a favorite account of Lincoln’s use of storytelling. It is from “Life on the Circuit with Lincoln” by Henry C. Whitney published in 1894. An article from the NYT blog on the Civil War, Disunion, recounts it in great style. According to Whitney, a self important visitor left the White House after being interrupted by Lincoln with a story he found silly and inappropriate. The visitor complained to one of Lincoln’s secretaries on the way out. He said to the secretary “Now, you say that Lincoln’s stories always have some object or moral; please tell me what object or moral such an absurd, irrelevant, clownish story could possibly have?” “What object?” replied the secretary. “The most necessary object in the world at the time was to get rid of you and get to his business, and, according to your own story, he did it.”
How would Abraham Lincoln run? Lincoln was known to have been quite strong and physically active as a young man. I’m sure today we would say he was athletic. Which got me to thinking about how this running question. Why? Well, the Road Warriors had a session a few nights ago at Gazelle Sports on “good form running”. Gazelle Sports is a long time sponsor of the Fifth Third River Bank Run and the Road Warriors were given the opportunity to experience this Gazelle clinic. It was quite interesting. We were instructed on techniques, shown video of runners, and we ourselves were video taped and our form critiqued. Did I learn something? Yes. I think there is definitely something to having a running form that is optimal. The hard part is determining what it looks like. I’ve become convinced how Lincoln and I run would most likely have similarities but also have differences.
There are a lot theories about about how to run. These theories are no doubt brought on by data that says about half of all runners become injured every year. So, if we can find the right form injuries will decrease. That is a goal we all wish for. But, here is where the research and expert opinions get a murky and a bit frustrating. Studies are kind of like the phrase “they say”. You never quite know who “they” is and what “they say” isn’t always consistent. So, with that introduction, let’s dive into this. Some studies have found that individuals automatically run in a way that is most efficient for their own bodies. Those studies say that those who change the way they run naturally are less efficient and more prone to injury.
A recent NYT article in its Phys Ed series, “Does Foot Form Explain Running Injuries?” says some new research “shows that how a person runs may affect whether he or she ends up hurt.” All this really comes down to foot strike. In other words what part of your foot hits the ground first. The work cited in the article indicates that those who are “heel strikers” are more prone to injury than mid-foot or ball strikers. This is consistent with the lesson of the Gazelle clinic: land mid-foot, lean from the ankles, maintain good posture, and establish a cadence to accomplish it all. So, if you are a heel striker should you change? According to the experts in the NYT piece not necessarily. If you’re not getting hurt then no. Basically, if its not broke don’t fix it. But if you are, then it makes sense to take action. Heed this caution; changing form means different muscles will be affected. Who said running was easy?
What did I get out of the clinic? And reading the popular book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall and re-reading “The Complete Book of Running” by James Fixx? That we all run in ways that are best for us. Shoes can alter that style. Getting the right shoes to allow nature to work is important. Our own “best form” can most likely be determined by a barefoot run. I think we change forms depending on the circumstance, but that a mid foot strike probably makes the most sense. It’s a matter of fine tuning but its best to keep it simple. We shouldn’t have to think that hard about running should we?
So, how would Lincoln run? From what we know of his life he spent a lot of time barefoot and so I’m guessing he was primarily a mid foot striker. But, remember he was quite tall. So, his body had to develop a gait that was the most efficient for him. Because of his height I’m guessing his stride was long. In today’s theories that isn’t so good. Could he run a 25K and avoid injuries? Who knows? Can I? I’m hoping. I’m going to concentrate on trying to change my cadence and shorten my stride a bit per the suggestion at the Gazelle clinic. So, it’s up to us to chart the right course for our bodies and our styles and reach our goal of a successful experience in the 35th Anniversary of the Fifth Third River Bank Run. And what would Lincoln say to all this? I think he would reply with a quote he used before: “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.”
P.S. If looking for a biography on Abraham Lincoln check out “Lincoln” by David Herbert Donald. It’s excellent.