The Nike Pegasus has been supporting runners since 1983, helping athletes achieve proper form and ensuring comfort with every mile. The latest Pegasus 41 is equipped with Zoom Air and an updated ReactX Foam blend. The shoe also displays a wider heel platform that provides ample support and assists those who strike with the heel first, making the sneaker a versatile option for every runner, no matter the distance.
Running requires proper technique. When hitting the streets or the track, correct form reduces physical stress and improves distance times. The Nike Pegasus 41 prepares runners for any obstacle, but following the appropriate running protocols helps them go that extra mile as well.
Joining forces with runners Angie Chavez and Liam Sabino, as well as running coach Francisco Balagtas, Hypebeast shows off the Nike Pegasus 41 in movement. Below, Balagtas has provided some quick notes for runners to apply to their gait cycle.
Initial Contact/Midstance
When getting ready for a run, starting with a warm-up is crucial and the body’s positioning during the run is just as essential. During the point of initial contact, runners should be sure that their trailing upper leg and knee are pointing down in a vertical position, with the lower leg at a parallel. Engaging the Achilles while in motion, the trailing foot should be angled toward the sky, emphasizing the importance of accurate heel/toe pick-ups.
Toe Off/Propulsion
Higher knee drives will help the runner to gain more momentum as well, so a 90-degree angle for the forward upper leg is suggested while setting your pace and moving the body forward. This also helps to minimize overstriding, and the Pegasus 41’s advanced cushioning technology supports upper and lower body harmony while in movement.
Swing Phase
While in the swing phase, as the rear and forward leg alternate to power you ahead, eyes should be locked forward with the chin raised off of the chest. The runner’s knee should be centered over the lead foot strike to promote higher shock absorption from the ground. When transitioning from compression to strike, keep an equal balance of quad and hamstring use — remember, balance is key.
Being Nike’s lightest Pegasus to date, the sneaker adds no extra mass, making it easy for runners to maintain body symmetry. Usually, while running, the body instinctively balances itself out, but it’s always a good idea to check in on your center of mass as well as your foot and hand positioning. Before taking off and while in motion, runners should double-check that their chest and center of mass are refocused over the front leg at full compression, so full power can drive the next step.
The Nike Pegasus 41 revolutionized comfort with its advanced features, but it doesn’t stop there. The shoe also offers over 13% more energy return and bounce than its predecessor, the Pegasus 40, giving runners a higher energy boost. With the shoe’s supportive and responsive design, along with the techniques laid out above, runners are in for a powerful and effortless ride.
Check out the Frame by Frame video above to dissect the best tips and tricks for a proper runner’s gait, and learn more about the Nike Pegasus 41 on nike.com.
CREDITS:
ACD | Jamier Boatman-Harrell
Art Director & Designer | Kevin Chen
Words | Kayla Curtis-Evans
Producer | Elana Staroselsky
Photographer | Nayquan Shuler
Director & Editor | Sebastian Jimenez
DP | Sean Dahlberg
1st AC | Adam Roberts
2nd AC | Griffin Deutsch
Gaffer | Lucien Battiste
Key Grip | Ethan Federico
Stylist | Qiana Roberts
HMUA | Kento Utsobo
Assistant Photographer | Marc Merchant
Production Assistant | Oliver Stamatatos
Production Assistant | Isaac Watkins
Motion Graphics | @massive.work
Sound Design | Ayo Douson
Colorist | Andrew Ceen
Location | Seret Studios
