Great questions!
1. How would you characterize your training level? Mileage? Workouts? Long Runs? Strength Work? Be specific in your description.
I can separate this question into 2 parts - pre and post loss of leg coordination. Previously, as a middle distance runner I didn't have particularly high milage, ~50 miles per week (longest run 10miles), but also did cycling (mostly commuting), pilates for core strength weekly and weights weekly. Also 2-3 track sessions per week. Now, I do almost no running, have kept up the cycling/pilates and have added lots of strength work (especially glutes) and swimming.
2. How would you describe the effort level that brings on the symptoms of this condition? Does it come on with acceleration? Sustained effort?
Anything sustained for any further than around 2miles. It comes on without any acceleration but if I try to accelerate it gets worse very quickly.
3. How would you describe your posture? Do you slouch? Do you spend significant time sitting in a chair (Letsrun viewing aside :) ) Has this condition affected any sort of physiological alignment that your are aware of?
I think its generally okay, however I do spend a lot of time at work sitting at a desk.
4. Do you have "inactive glutes"? Many elite distance runners, including Meb, have found that their glutes don't fire properly during the gait cycle. Do you have any experience with this condition?
Yes, but I've been working on strengthening them for months.
5. Lastly, please describe the onset of symptoms as you experience them, especially how your footstrike changes.
This is the hardest question, it is so hard to describe! For me it is a bit different from how you describe it. Its hard to tell where it "starts", my whole leg just starts feeling "wobbly". Often, but not always, my hip flexors tighten up before I lose control. It feels like during the swing through phase my leg is not swinging through with everything aligned as it should be. My foot seems to rotate out to the side which feels like it may be due to an external rotation at the hip. As I swing my leg through I try to bring my leg back into alignment which is where I think the wobbly feeling comes in. Its hard to tell where my foot is going to land and I think that makes me slow down.
Finally, if applicable, why do YOU think running on hills, soft surfaces, and in spikes lessens/eliminates the symptoms of this condition? Does running downhill worsen symptoms?
Very interesting question. First, a comment on my experience with foot striking. Prior to this condition, I changed my running style to land more mid-foot as I was a heavy heel striker, and had read that it would help with shin splints etc. It took a few months but when I became comfortable with it it felt great! Then a few months later the loss of coordination appeared. I thought it may have been caused by the change in running style. However, after months of no running + PT and a return to running how I used to (heel striking), the problem is still there. If anything, it is slightly better when running on the mid- forefoot, and I can hardly notice it sprinting (forefoot).
Back to the original question. Note that I have no medical background whatsoever, so there is a good chance I am completely wrong! I think that running on slightly uneven ground or wearing spikes increases your proprioception, or the awareness of where your foot is located in space. I think this is due to more signals from your foot going to your brain, compared to the monotony of a flat unchanging surface. This could correlate with hip labral tear which I read does reduce proprioception. Increased proprioception would make it easier to control the leg. It doesn't explain improvement on hills or very flat, even grass that some people experience though. And yes, I think it is perhaps a bit worse downhill. Another theory is that flat/hard/downhill surfaces will all increase the impact of your foot on the ground, increasing the load through all of your joints. That may contribute to the issue too somehow. The impact may also be absorbed better in minimalist shoes/spikes due to the tendency to land further forward on your foot. In short, I have no idea!!
Hope this helps, I am interested to hear everyone else's answers!