Think of your legs as springs. When you run, you stretch those springs – with your achilles <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/achiles.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2393 size-full" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/achiles.jpg" alt="achiles" width="275" height="183" /></a>tendon, and to a lesser extent the arch of the foot - and store energy that's then released to power your next stride. As the spring snaps back to its original length, bang you move towards your destination.

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Now, the best thing being, you don’t have to pay for this energy. It doesn’t require oxygen, sugar, fat, water, and it doesn’t create lactic acid. In fact, studies over the years have concluded that between 40% and 50% of the energy you need to run is recycled from stride to stride through this elastic (recoil) energy storage-and-return mechanism.
With such a saving, you’d be mad not to tap into it. Not understanding how to use this <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/achil.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2394 size-full" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/achil.jpg" alt="achil" width="80" height="243" /></a>improved economy would also be a waste in your running interests.
In previous posts I have covered at length the mechanics of what constitutes your best most economical running technique. But simply consider positioning your head over your hips – your hips over your ankle joint –and bingo – you should be close to balanced.
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Balance is king.</strong></p>
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So what about the title of today’s post!
There's a significant body of research suggesting that stiffer achilles tendons correlate with better running economy. I tend to agree – providing you’re landing (loading) in your most ideal position on your foot.

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Anyway, I guess the two points to come from this post are:
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<strong>1) Should you statically stretch your Achilles tendons? For the most part, I think NOT. There’s a stack of research suggesting static stretches switch OFF your elastic recoil. Think cats! If you’re lead to stretching, then stretch. But I certainly don’t recommend forcing and holding a stretch based on a clock.</strong>
<strong>2) Should you spend time strengthening your Achilles strength – and elastic recoil? You bet. Throw in some on the spot boxer bounces, step running, and skipping as part of your workout.</strong></blockquote>
Oh, and in my opinion, I hate soft sand running. For mine it threads your Achilles to bits. Each to their own.
Check out Mo Farah’s Achilles elastic recoil.