ChiRunning Anyone?

[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.