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From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
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[[File:Digital Metronome.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The [http://go.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000B5MU4I Seiko DM50 Metronome], which can make it easier to improve your cadence.]]
The single most important running tip I would give runners is to focus on their cadence (how often their feet touch the ground). Cadence is reasonably easy to modify and I believe it has more impact on running efficiency and injury than any other single thing.
==Rationale behind Cadence==
Jack Daniels<ref name="jd"/> (the coach not the distiller) found that the slower the cadence, the longer you are in the air and the harder you land. Slow turn over means more impact, which causes more injury.
So what should your cadence be? It seems that a turnover of 90 steps/minute is right for most people (180 steps/minute if counting both feet). To start off, check your cadence when you are running by counting how often your left foot touches the ground in a minute. If the number is 90 or higher, pat yourself on the back and go for another run. If the number is lower than 90, then you should look at changing your cadence. Your cadence does not have to be exactly 90, and is likely to change somewhat with your pace and terrain. A faster pace may have a higher cadence, as will up or down hill sections. My cadence now varies between 92 and 100 depending on pace. If your cadence was to vary between 88-92, you're doing well, though above 90 is preferable. A [[Best Running Watch|Good Running Watch]] will measure cadence using a [[Footpod]].
==Changing Cadence==
There are two several ways of measuring and changing your cadence. * The first (and easiest) is to try to change your cadence and then count for a minute to check the results. An easier * The [[Best Running Watch|Best Running Watches]] have support for a [[Footpod]] that will display and record your cadence. * The easiest way to modify your cadence is to run with a metronome, which sets the pace for you. (A running watch that displays cadence is even better, but expensive.) An example of a small metronome would be the [http://wwwgo.fellrnr.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com/%2Fdp%2FB000B5MU4I Seiko-DM50S-DM50L-Metronome-Silver/dp/B00074B62A Seiko DM50L DM50 Metronome] - there are others like this. I trained for several months with a similar device, and it helped me immensely. I found it rather loud, so I wrapped it in duct tape to quieten it down. * You can also [[Remixing Music For Running|Remixing Music For Running]] so that it is a higher tempo.
==The adaptation process==
To start off, the change in cadence will feel very strange. I remember adjusting my cadence, and felt like my shoes were tied together! My steps were so short and fast that things felt all wrong. It took several weeks to adjust, but when the adjustment did take place, my running improved dramatically. I credit cadence as a key part of my success in going from a 4+ hour marathon to sub-3 hour and is one of my [[Running Breakthroughs]].
