Wk 4 R3 - Finding my Chi

[Jenwrenarm]

A friend of mine who regularly runs long distances was chatting to me last night about his methods. He does 'Chi' running. He looked a bit funny doing it but I 'Youtubed' it this morning and thought I'd look at the principles at least. It's all about aligning your body and leaning forward slightly from the ankle in a sort of 'controlled fall' to work with gravity and propel you forward. Set off for W4 R3 this morning having struggled with the final 5 minutes and found that it worked! I wasn't gasping, I didn't feel like I was lumbering along and I found the whole physicality of the running much easier. I don't know if that was because I was focusing on the action rather than the running! The only thing I did find was that it's hard on my dodgy knee but that may be because I'm a bit stiff with it. I haven't read anything else on here from anyone advocating it so thought I'd ask you all if anyone uses the techniques? I don't want to do myself a mischief but if it makes it easier I'm all for that!

[Beek Graduate]

I just Googled it and here is a link where you can watch a short video clip:

chirunning.com/what-is-chir...

[Jenwrenarm Graduate in reply to Beek]

Thanks Beek; that looks a good link amongst all the rubbishy UTube stuff! Are you familiar with it yourself?

[Beek Graduate]

Hi Jenwrenarm, no - this is the first I have heard of it. I was interested in the pre run exercises they were doing and the concept that we have forgotten how to run the way we did as children. And the shot of the youngster in the video showed that up well.

I must admit that I no longer bounce when I fall and I do run with tension in me because I know that a fall really does hurt and shake you up for a day or two! I think it is worth finding out more! I will certainly do all the shaking out and loosening moves before setting off (as best I can make them out from the video) to be a more relaxed runner.

[Jenwrenarm Graduate in reply to Beek]

Well, it's certainly given us something to think about! I'm glad he told me; maybe just one or two of the techniques will really help

[swanscot Graduate]

I was given a copy of Danny Dyer's book and I try to run following his method. When I mentioned it on here last year I found out there's quite a few of us using Chi running techniques.

[Jenwrenarm Graduate in reply to swanscot]

Did it give you any physical problems Swanscot or did you find it alleviated any?

[swanscot Graduate in reply to Jenwrenarm]

No problems from it, but it didn't prevent me getting injured.

My first running injury, an IT band injury, must have been developing before I started Chi running, but unfortunately I developed 'housemaid's knee (and it certainly wasn't from over-doing housework) despite practising the techniques of Chi Running.

However, it may have kept me free of other injuries. I'd recommend reading Danny's book. I refer to it every so often and when running I check my body for the main points every a kilometre or so, when my Garmin beeps.

[Jenwrenarm Graduate in reply to swanscot]

I found checking my posture every now and again really took my mind off how far I had left to go! That in itself was a bonus! Thanks Swanscot. Helpful advice.