Backwards Running?

An interesting thing happened yesterday; one of those serendipitous moments that inventors probably experience.  I walked down to the park with Quin to do my chin-up program on the monkey bars, and on the way there I tried a tentative jog just to test the calf a little.  Could still feel a bit of a knot so I didn't press it, lest I tweak it again and set myself further back.  But I turned and jogged backwards for a second to check on Quin who was trailing me, and -- voila' -- there was no feeling of knotting or tightening in the calf.  Hmmm.

I experimented and jogged lightly -- backwards -- all the way to the park.  Nothing.  No pain.  No strain.  It actually felt therapeutic in a way.  I mused on what the possibilities were of running the entire half marathon...backwards. I'm sure it's been done before, as a novelty or attention-seeking stunt.  Could I do it? 

Even in the short and light span that I did it, I could feel the strain in my quads, but that could be the result of poor technique.  I don't have to do it fast.  Christy is probably going to walk much of the AFC because of her hip, and I've been mentally preparing myself for the possibility of having to walk some of it too.  Figured if it came to pass, we could walk together.  But now I'm thinking that instead of walking, reverse running might be better.  It still gets the heart rate pumping and I cover the ground quicker than walking.  And it sure feels like it's better on my calf than walking even. 

I don't know.  This may be a lame-brain idea.  Quin certainly seems to think so, and given that he is shy and loathe to draw attention to himself, he'll be mortified if I try to run backwards in public. 

I may try it this week on the treadmill.  I've run backwards in warmups and speeds barely exceeding my forward walking pace.  But could I go a couple of miles a little faster?  Should I even test it, or might that risk unforeseen injuries and strains? 

Things that make you go, 'hmmm.'