Any chi or pose runners here?

[midnight armadillo]

I'm looking to add some running to my workoujts, which currently consist of kettlebells, , bodyweight exercises, and jumprope. A new pair of New Balance MR810 shoes is part of the motivation (I just discovered their factory outlet store in Boston, 40-60% off!), along with just searching for variety and more fat loss.

I'm intrigued by chi and pose running. I ran a lot in HS...oh, about 14 years ago...on the cross-country team but haven't done too much running since. These running styles seem, well, more natural than running heel-first. Sometime in the spring I'm keen to try a pair of Nike Free or Vibram FiveFinger shoes for running.

Any chi or pose runners? Any comment on its effectiveness ?

[soleft]

1. I've never heard of that, can you describe?

[underpants]

3. Some information

http://www.triathlontrainingblog.com/articles/chirunningversuspose.html

http://www.realbuzz.com/en-gb/What_is_Chi_Running%3F/index?pageID=130

What is ‘Chi Running’?
As well as being a specific technique, ‘Chi Running’ is also an attitude – in which the focus is on the pleasure of movement rather than on struggling and battling to get further, faster.

Created by Danny Dreyer, a running coach and Tai Chi practitioner based in San Francisco, USA, the holy grail of Chi Running is to be relaxed while in motion. The idea is to lower your perception of effort (RPE), regardless of how fast you are going. Attaining this ‘effortlessness’ involves leaning forward from the heels (not the waist or hips) when running. This, says Dreyer, allows the body to work with – rather than battling against – gravity.

‘One of the most common problems I see in runners is that they run with their bodies vertical or leaning back slightly, which makes them lead with their legs when they run, instead of leading with their upper body,’ says Dreyer. ‘This causes a heel strike, which increases one’s impact with the ground and which, over time, will damage the knees, hips, IT band or ankles.’ To avoid this, Dreyer advocates striking the ground with the mid-foot and allowing the lower legs to simply ‘dangle’ when in the air.

Another important aspect of the Chi Running technique is maintaining good core stability, as this helps to distribute the effort of running throughout the body – rather than forcing the legs to do all the work.

Who advocates Chi Running?
Converts to Dreyer’s technique include Catherina McKiernan, a former Flora London Marathon winner who has now trained to teach Chi Running; Beryl Bender Birch, the wellness director of the New York Road Runners; and Toby Tanser, a sub-2:20 marathoner and author of Train Hard, Win Easy. This support suggests that Chi Running has much more to offer than simply being a pleasant, comfortable way to run.

Building a foundation for runners
‘Most runners want to run either longer or faster at some point in their running career – but without good running form, added distance will only lengthen the time you are running improperly and increase your odds of getting hurt,’ explains Danny Dreyer. ‘Also, if you try to add speed with improper running form, you are magnifying the poor movement habits that could cause injury.

‘The best place to build a good foundation is in getting your running motions smooth, relaxed and efficient. Then you can add distance or speed without risking injury.’

For more information on Chi Running, visit www.chirunning.com.

[feminazi]

2. I have the Chi Running book.

I try to incorporate some of the recommended techniques while I'm running. I'm 56, a plodder and could stand to drop 20 pounds so I was interested in seeing if it would result in less wear and tear on the old body. I don't really think it's made running any easier for me, but my knees and hips are in better shape. I really don't practice the techniques as much as I should and re-reading the book is on my list of things to do.

I'd also like to get the DVD...I think actually watching someone demonstrate the techniques would make picking things up easier.

Sign up for the monthly newsletter at http://www.chirunning.com/shop/home.php. It contains running tips and schedules of the chi running and walking classes. The DVD and book are available there, too. I got the book at Barnes and Noble and you might be able to find some used copies at Amazon.

[likesmountains 52]

4. I bought the book, but I had to get the DVD before it made sense to me...

it's hard for me to follow all of the suggestions (too much thinking about posture, cadence, breathing, lean etc.) but some of the major points have helped me run better...I keep trying to incorporate more of the ideas but it is kind of hard to change your natural (or habitual) running style. I got the DVD used on amazon, but you might try your library.