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Tuesday 6 March 2012

To Chi, or not to Chi

    One way or another, things didn't go well last week and I failed miserably to run my planned mileage. A persistent chesty cough has been sapping my strength resulting in stop/start runs and inability to maintain any sort of pace, no matter how slow, without regular breaks to regain my breath. I managed a grand total of just 14 miles - barely ticking over - but it's better than nothing, I suppose. At least, I tried, but it felt hard. 
    And because running has recently started to feel harder I've been poking my nose into Danny Dreyer's book on 'Chi Running' and trying to learn the technique he describes so well. According to the hype it enables one to run faster, farther and with much less effort at any age. Baron Baptiste says, "This programme will totally revolutionalize the wau you run". In theory I've got to admit it all sounds very feasible and those who practice it give glowing reports, but so far it's done nothing for me.  Maybe I haven't got it quite right though I seem to be doing things according to the book. I just wish there was a qualified teacher in the vicinity to check what I'm doing and make any necessary corrections. But as yet I certainly aint running faster or farther, quite the reverse, and the little that I am doing at the moment seems to require more effort. Of course, I refuse to accept it's anything to do with age!
    I may be slowing down but still enjoy running the hills and wide open spaces and hate to think there might come a time when I'm no longer able to do it. For the past 26 years life has revolved around it. No week has been complete without it. To the amusement of family and friends, annual holidays to places like Cornwall or the Canary Islands are regarded as warm weather training. Even in Scotland or the Alps running gear forms a large part of the luggage. It's kept me slim and trim, though not without a few aches, pains and injuries along the way - par for the course, I suppose. 
    Anyhow, regardless of current fitness, in a few days time I'll be running with a number pinned to my vest again. It's a very low key event but no doubt the adrenalin will start to flow and anyone in front of me will be regarded as fair competition. Hopefully it will kickstart this lethargic body back into racing mode. But whether it does, or not, I'll enjoy the day, the run and the company of like-minded people.

16 comments:

  1. I read Danny's book a couple of years ago and took a weekend course. I feel like it's helped me with running form. If I'm in the chi groove :) running definitely feels easier. Keep at it. It'll get better!
    Good luck with your race. I need to sign up for one too.

    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful

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    1. Thanks Barbara, that's what I'm after, something that makes running feel easier. I wish there was a course near me.

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  2. I have taken the chi running course and also done some barefoot running to change my form (which I have successfully done). I like everything chi teaches. I would say the one downside to it is that it perhaps makes the whole thing more complex than it needs to be. There's a lot to learn and to remember when trying to implement. I think you have to break it down into small pieces to be successful with it. A little bare footing, in my opinion, coupled with minimal shoes when running the rest of the time, goes a long way.

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  3. Thanks Misszippy. I'm not into barefoot running but my shoes are fairly minimalist (New Balance MTE 101's) and I'm a midfoot striker. I'll have to concentrate more. It seemed to go really well one day, then I lost it again. Hey ho!

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  4. You are an inspiration to your younger (but not young) readers like me! I hope to get as much out of running in as you clearly have. Best of luck for the race - enjoy it!

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  5. I try sometimes to run like a gazelle, but most of the time I feel like I'm running like an elephant... One thing I do try and tell my athletes is: pretend the TV cameras are on you!!!

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  6. Well thank goodness my English poet is still blogging!!! I hope that you are doing well!! I have enjoyed reading back and looking at the pictures you have posted. Every post I read gives me a smile!:) I have missed you and hope that everything in your world is fabulous! Hugs from Minnesota!:)

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  7. Hi Julie, missed you too, wonderful to hear from you again. What have you been doing lately? Long time no Blog!

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  8. Hell RF. I read the book and tried it, but found it difficult to adapt when running on the fells. It seemed to work on the roads though, when each footstrike is more predictable. There's an awful lot going on though isn't there! All the best.

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  9. A wise man once told me: when it comes to running styles - its each to his own... (paraphrasing the great running fox!). I've had a week off running myself now,not feeling too well - I think we're just down on the the low end of a turning wheel... we'll soon get back up there!

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  10. Hi! Whatever you are doing is working for you. I think your fitness success is in the back of all of us younger people's minds like, "I want to be like that when I'm his age." I do think form is very important to avoid injuries. I would think that it is crucial for running.

    :-) Marion

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  11. Well...you are truly an inspiration!! I am so impressed with your enthusiasm for running and your passion in life. thanks so much for sharing your stories with us...teaching us all the importance of running, health, happiness and life--

    haven't read the book...haven't read much lately even though I should be...way too busy with work/family/schedules/ etc...but definately on my list to do more of...

    Again, thanks for sharing!

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  12. Best wishes in your race this weekend! I have no idea...maybe you already are running it. :) Run a few miles for me.

    I never have read Chi running, but have seen my form change. It all started with a run where I tried not to let my heels hit the ground. I ended up with calves so sore I couldn't walk the next day. Seems like whatever you are already doing has won a few awards and what-nots. No need to change now :)

    Did you get over your cold yet? Hope so!

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    1. Hi Raina, as I told Neil (below) Orthoheel Regular orthotics cured calf muscle problems I'd suffered for years. The Chi running book talks an awful lot of sense - too much(!) - and it all sounds perfectly feasible. But it's difficult to learn without a course tutor. I'm trying to find one. And yes, I've won an awful lot of awards using my own style of running, but I'm all for learning something that makes it easier.

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  13. I think the main thing with all of these 'minimalist' styles (Chi, POSE, Evolution, 'Newton', etc) is to use a short stride, high cadence (180 steps per minute) and to land underneath your centre of gravity. Oh, and to run as quietly as possible; in other words lift your feet from your core, and then place them back down, rather that stomping!

    I made huge improvements last year when I made the transition from heel-striking to Evolution running. But then (paradoxically) I got both lazy and overtrained - that's overtraining with lazy technique - and started pushing off the ground with my propulsive leg muscles (instead of lifting), culminating in a more extreme version of Raina's calf problems. That left me with injuries which kept me from running for about 8 months.

    As you are already a midfoot striker, your calves should be used to the excessive pounding, esp. if you use flat(ish) shoes - I'm really enjoying my Saucony Kinvara 2s at the moment.

    For more on any of these running styles, you might do a search for them on Youtube. There are loads of form tutorials by Newton Running on there, called "Running Form Friday", but undoubtedly, there will be others dealing with Chi, POSE and the others.

    Good luck...but take care of those calf muscles!

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  14. Hi Neil, I used to have no end of calf muscle problems until I began using Orthoheel 'Regular' ¾ orthotics - in all my shoes and boots. Had no problems since.
    I was practising my Chi running at various stages of last Saturday's Troller's Trot, especially on hills while trying to catch the guy streaking away in front. I reckon it worked because I caught him!
    I'll have a look on YouTube, but I'm considering buying the Chi running DVD.

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