Running gracefully and falling ungracefully...

[ChannelRunner2]

Via Pilates for Runners I discovered Gracefull Running (yea, it really is with two Ls...). I had watched a little intro and practiced the G for Grow during my Wednesday run, which felt really good. After having watched a longer video, I decided to try the whole Grace during my longer run on Saturday.

I had a really rough week as I was dealing with a leaking water pipe and the ensuing stress of coordinating repair and not sleeping well. When I woke up Saturday, I really wanted to stay in bed as my morning would be really full with my planned 10K and then Pilates. So I negotiated with myself that I'd run a 5K and see how that goes. I could always add more km if I felt like it. Off I went!

🏃🏽‍♀️

Grace stands for (see the video for way more info...):

Grow: Run tall, grow taller while you're running, run on top of your legs

Rhythm: Aim for 180 foot strikes per minute

Alignment: Imagine being a plank tilted forward and up. Let gravity pull you forward - almost falling

Circle: Let your legs flow in a circular motion. You heel moves up and down like a piston behind you.

Enjoy!

🌺

I can't remember the full part, to be honest, as I am still struggling with the A and C... I don't even understand the C intellectually, let alone in my body. And I bend forward with my upper body, not in a plank...

I must've really done that struggling on my run, too, because a bit more than a kilometer in, I found myself flat, parallel to the ground 🙈. Instead of running gracefully, I had practiced falling ungracefully or maybe taken A a bit too literally 🤣 I cursed the universe, the leaky house, myself (should've just stayed in bed)! Then I realized that my glasses were okay. My watch was okay. I got up and dusted myself off. My right knee hurt a bit but no gushes of blood or anything. So, I took a few tentative steps. They actually felt kinda good! I decided since I had to get home anyways, I might as well try running. It felt really good! I had to reign myself in not to keep going after 5km...

On my walk home I did notice that my right knee was complaining. It's bruised (Dr. Google says its a knee contusion...). Once home I showered and then started to RICE (well, RIE, really, as I didn't wrap anything around my leg). I learned that the German abbreviation is PECH, which means bad luck. How appropriate! 🙃 I didn't go to Pilates class...😭 That really was Pech!

I am planning to just (speed) walk my runs (at least) this week and then see how my knee does. This might also help with my heart rate training...

Also I will use exercises to help my knee get back into functioning. The first one also lets me practice G, so there! In case anybody needs them - courtesy of Tufts: hhma.org/healthadvisor/aha-...

And finally here's the video: youtu.be/AEawH_Vw4Qw(Not working as expected?)

Keep smiling! 😊

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

I love the Gracefull running video. I’ll definitely be trying that out. Thanks for sharing!

So sorry about your fall. That sort of thing can really shake you up. Wishing you a speedy recovery-take it steady and be really nice to yourself while you’re healing. ❤️❤️❤️

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks, MU! I ended up doing a self-compassion bodyscan yesterday, which helped with the mental reset (I'll see if I can find an English version of it to share here!).

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate10 in reply to ChannelRunner2]

This wasn't hard to find (since I knew where to look 😉). It's listed as "Compassionate Body Scan" here: christinebraehler.com/medit...

Or go directly to the audio via: christinebraehler.com/wp-co...

Dr. Christine Braehler also shares on InsightTimer in both English and German: insighttimer.com/

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to ChannelRunner2]

danke schön! I’ll enjoy those later today. Much appreciated!

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

That looks really interesting... me too !

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Falls shake you up, then there's that relief when glasses are ok phone is ok, then more relief when you can get up again, well done in carrying on

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

Thanks for this.. ! Looks really interesting!

Your fall sounds nasty... oh dear....hope it and you heal and recover quickly...

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, Oldfloss! I just came back from a long walk and the knee is definitely already feeling better. 🥳 Even stairs are no longer as painful as they were yesterday - going down is still more challenging, going up was even painfree! And it's a dull ache, not a searing pain (it never was, which is why I didn't bother going to the emergency room...).

Once my lunch is ready to eat, I'll elevate my legs and put some ice on the knee. After lunch, I'll make sure to ice it from the inside, too🍦. I think that helps the most 😉

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

I'm glad it feels easier..moving the knee will surely help stop stiffness...Resting up and icing as and when...that sounds good...icing from the inside...maybe even better!😉🍦🍦🍦🥡

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Icing from the inside is definitely a must today! We're at 30°C, though so far humidity is still relatively low... Still I scream for ice cream 🤣

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to ChannelRunner2]

Husband has just devoured banana, strawberries and ice cream!