"Run-on landings" on a mountain log pad or when placing your heels on a log to keep from sinking!!?? - In my opinion, not a good way to get around the handling characteristics - if you are never going to land anywhere other than an airport, well you may be able to get away with it, but if you fly utility, and the times you have to be precise, you won't have the practice or technique down to do a good job.
Follow the advice on frictioning up of the cyclic (although lots of smooth Astar pilots use no friction), and not stirring the pot (actually hardly even moving the cyclic), staying in trim and keeping a steady approach right to the ground, and not hovering before landing, will help you master the beast. If every landing is a no hover landing, with your descent controlled by collective and not by moving the cylcic, you will be on your way to perfecting the landing.