ChiRunning Anyone?

[wildstreaktn]

Hi Everyone,
Has anyone tried the running techniques in Danny Dreyer's book ChiRunning?I picked up a copy yesterday while checking on a part-time job at a Hastings store here.I also realized that me working in a book store is akin to a heroin addict working in a poppy field!!!I would wind up owing them money every week! But I digress;just started the book,trying to improve my run time for next tri without doing injury to myself!!If anyone is currently using ChiRunning,let me know how it's working for you.

[Over50Newbie]

Hi Wildstreaktn,

I am a chi runner and I wouldn't do any other type of running. I am 52 and decided to start running last year so that I could do triathlons. I had never even tried to run before last year. I am a swimmer, and you know what they say - they say that we are like fish out of water when we try to run.

Most people that I know chi run because they used to be runners and now have injuries, or their bodies just can't "power run" anymore because it hurts too much.

I am different from them because I am a true beginner runner.

Their web site is very supportive, and I have Danny's DVD, CD, and book. I also met Danny in person last year and he gave me some tips.

I can't say that I LIKE running, but if I HAVE to do it so that I can do triathlons, chi running is the only way to go for me!

Lynette

[KnottedYet]

I really loved the book, and used a lot of the ChiRunning stuff to get me running again. It works, even on me, who was told by a PT that I should "never run again." I don't run fast, I don't run far, but I feel GREAT while I run!

[wildstreaktn]

Hi ya'll,
Thx for the replies,Over50Newbie and KnottedYet.I'm not a natural runner and hadn't run more than 2 miles since I was in the service until now.I am about a third of the way through the book and have already started practicing some of the principles although I haven't taken a run yet since the tri on Saturday.I biked and ran w/o socks,the biking part was fine,but I sweat so much,I got some pretty good blisters on the run.No more running w/o socks for this ole girl! I also don't know that I will ever enjoy running,but I will develop a positive attitude toward it because it is part of triathlon.My goal for my next one is to finish in 2:30 or under,so that means serious improvement in swim and run times,and shaving a few minutes off of bike time.I'll git'r dun.Let's go outside and play!!!

[teigyr]

Sounds interesting. I've never heard of it, what differentiates it between other programs? I'm another one who shouldn't run but I feel that it's a time efficient form of exercise and I'd like to do tri's. I'm starting to run but am just doing it in my "hit and miss" sort of style

[HappyAnika]

A bunch of our friends got into chi running last year, so DH and I bought the book. I read some last fall, then after my 5k I quit running for a bit. Recently DH has picked up the technique again and bought the DVD. I would like to get back to learning it, but honestly I've been so focused on learning to swim I feel like I can't learn chi running at the same time. I do practice a few of the basics when I run, like trying to keep good posture, lean forward, and high cadence. The book did point out to me one of my biggest problems, that I'm a heel striker, and heel striking kills your knees. I had an ACL reconstruction and a scope in my right knee 8 and 7 years ago, and my other knee is problematic as well, so I try to keep in mind to land mid-foot.

So to sum up, we have the book and DVD, DH is progressing well, I will probably start from scratch learning it after my triathlon in July. FWIW, our friend who introduced us to the book last year noticed huge improvements in his running and just completed his first marathon Memorial day weekend.

[HeatherErin]

Another ChiRunner here (using the term "runner" loosely). I've been plagued with knee problems since my early teens and had never taken up running consistently because of the pain it caused in my knees. ChiRunning makes a HUGE difference.

HappyAnika, FWIW, I'm both learning to swim and learning ChiRunning at the same time. Although, meeting one-on-one with a coach a couple times for both helped a lot. I'm not sure I could do it all from a book or DVD.

[teigyr]

HeatherErin, who are you using for a coach? Is it from a gym or other? Just curious because I wouldn't have any idea how to look for one and I've been thinking about it lately.

I did read up on ChiRunning. I haven't ordered the book yet but I'm honestly trying to figure out why this style is better for no injuries and what the difference is?

[Over50Newbie]

Teigyr,

The main difference between "power running" and "chi running" is that you use your core to chi run and purposefully relax the rest of your body. Instead of landing on your heel, you land mid-foot. The way that you move forward when you run is to engage your core and then lean forward. The more you lean, the faster you run. The theory behind it is that you let gravity do most of the work for you. Also, you are highly encouraged to have a very high cadence when you run - 90 beats per minute, counting when one foot hits the ground.

This is an over-simplified explanation of chi running, but these are the main focuses of what chi running is all about. If you go over to the chi running site - www.chirunning.com - and read the library articles, you will get a much better feeling for what chi running is all about. They also have a discussion board that is very helpful too. Their two main blog moderators, named Jacquie and Laura, are very, very knowledgeable and helpful.

Hope this helps a little bit,

Lynette

[HeatherErin]

HeatherErin, who are you using for a coach? Is it from a gym or other? Just curious because I wouldn't have any idea how to look for one and I've been thinking about it lately.

I found Laura Houston (lsh@drixxle.com) through the ChiRunning website. She's a certified instructor and she teaches both group workshops and private lessons. For the private lessons she's pretty flexible about where she can meet up with you.

[teigyr]

Thanks

I ordered the book. I keep picturing it like cartoon running though!!! I'll look into a coach because I need to get on this running stuff ASAP. The book/video has some great reviews!

[Melalvai]

I found ChiRunning recently and looked to see if it had been discussed here. Looks like it's been a few years, anyone have any updates?

I like all the similarities between ChiRunning and Total Immersion swimming. I do Total Immersion on Mondays and Wednesday and I'll start ChiRunning on Tuesdays and Fridays. Thursday is spin class. I'm up to Lesson 4 in Total Immersion.

The dvds are so expensive! I wish there were a few videos on the website. And some less expensive dvds. I mean $40 for a dvd?

[OakLeaf]

Chi Running changed my life. Literally. I was running once a week for maybe three miles and getting pounded so hard my shoulders would ache; I couldn't run on pavement at all. Two road marathons later, I'm contemplating the Level II Chi Running workshop in February. Time to drop some hints to Santa Claus, I think.

[Melalvai]

Of course in Kirksville, MO there are no Chi Running instructors. I wonder if we could get one out here to do a workshop. There is actually an avid running community, both here and in Columbia which is a bit bigger and close enough (90 miles) to be feasible.

[HonoluluAngel]

Hi, I'm about halfway through the book and have implemented the forward lean, keeping arms "short" and pumping to the rear. Keep joints and muscles relaxed and open to the "chi". I just started running in August. Prior to that, I loathed it, and therefore never even considered triathlons even though I was a decent swimmer.

I Borrowed the book from library 3 weeks ago, really interesting concepts. At first I thought it was going to be fluffy hippy metaphysical garb, but it is by far the best running book I've read. I've been reading every book and magazine out there and Chi Running is written very well.

My bf is an experienced triathlete/personal trainer and even he is intrigued. He skipped ahead of where I am in the book and told me about the theory of running sideways up hills to use your other muscles (inner and outer thighs) and save your main muscles (hamstrings and quads) for the flat sections. Like you have a secret reserve of muscles to tap into and give your regular muscles a break. I haven't tried this yet but it makes perfect sense.

Ok about the hippy metaphysical part, a good portion of the book consists of mental exercises and calling upon Chi and Eastern philosophies. But let's face it, this sport is more than just brute force, it IS mental. I feel like I can run forever now, am up to 10K no problem. Not very fast, but I place halfway in my age division in my short career. Recommend reading this book to everyone.