Chi Running

So I’m not much of a meditater, I have always thought that connecting with your chi and yoga poses was all pretty hokey.  I’m still not sure about all of it but I can’t deny the results I’ve had from my first 2 runs that I tried to apply some things I learned from this Chi Running book.  My first run was my base 5 mile run I do 2 times a week with the girls in our double stroller.  I tried to think about the “cotton and steel” the author teaches in his book (if you’re anything like my you’re rolling your eyes at this, but keep reading and just TRUST ME).  Anyway I tried to relax my limbs (cotton) and keep my core in-line (steel) for my 5 mile run and it felt really good.  It seemed I was working less throughout the run, I was shocked when I finished that I had ran it 4 minutes faster than my average time!  That’s HUGE (48 sec/mi faster pace).  The kicker was, and I kid you not, that I didn’t feel as fatigued as I usually do, crazy I know.  My 2nd run was my LSD (long slow distance) run I do on Saturdays without the stroller.  I tried to focus on a few other things I learned from the book like holding in my lower abs and leaning forward this time.  I ran further than I ever had, 8 miles, and without trying ran an even faster pace than I did on my 5 mile run 2 days before!  I’m shocked.  One of the best things about this is that my knees don’t hurt like they usually do.  I’m so excited about this.  If you’re a runner, I really suggest checking this book out.

I haven’t finished reading it yet, and with my introduction, you may be wondering why I ever picked it up in the first place.  I’ll explain, my BIL Brian recommended it after he’s had less pain and great results from it.  I shrugged off his recommendation (sorry Brian) but when I was on the library website putting this book on hold;

the Chi Running book also came up in my search so I just put a hold on it too.  When my holds arrived I read the Runner’s World book first (and learned a few things) and when I finished, decided I’d skim Chi Running while I had in my possession.  I’m really surprised I like it so much.  I still haven’t finished the book and it’s past due (since I didn’t pick it up for so long after I checked it out) but I am tempted to go buy it.

For those who are curious, here’s some of the Chi Running basics I’ve learned so far (certainly not all-inclusive):

• maintain good posture, you should be able to see your shoe laces if you look down (I couldn’t) if you can’t, pull in your lower abs rotating your hips w/o tightening your glutes
• keep your core in a straight line (shoulders, hips, and ankles)
• lean forward from your ankles, keeping your body in a straight line (this makes it so you are sort of falling instead of using your leg muscles to push you forward)
• your upper body is extended forward while your legs swing out the back (your knees shouldn’t pump in front of you)
• keep your lower legs limp (chi cannot flow through tight muscles or joints)
• don’t pronate. run along a tightrope, leading with your knees (this is what has helped my knees)
• swing your elbows behind you
• don’t cross your centerline with your hands

This visualization is what has helped me “get it” most of all:  think of the fastest animal on the planet, the cheetah.  The cheetah doesn’t have big strong rigid legs, he has a strong core (spine) and let’s his legs flop.

Have any of you heard of Chi Running before?  What do you think, is it coincidence that my 2 runs were vastly improved or could it be attributed Chi Running?  Do you believe in using your chi (defined as the energy force that animates all things) or yoga?

On a completely different note, Tessa was looking fabulous after her strawberry dessert last night.  And Sophie’s frizzy hair needs its first hair cut soon.