It is true that heel striking when running is bad because for one, heel strike running is the only running style that causes the foot to excessively wrestle with the ground, which shifts the foot into extreme, over-straining positions. All this twisting and bending stress from the foot is transferred up to the shins, knees and hips, resulting in more damaging rotational stress to these areas. For another, heel striking when running increases vertical loading and the vertical ground reaction force, both forces are known as the primary cause of most major injuries, especially long bone injuries, like femur and shin fractures. Read more here!