Running in the Rockies

May 01, 2024

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Location:

CO,

Member Since:

Aug 22, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Marathon Finish

Running Accomplishments:

Began running Aug 07

3 mile - 28:50 (Dec 07)

10K - 1:00:41 (July 08)

Half Marathon - 2:18:56 (Sep 08)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Keep running.  Look for races to keep me focused on improvement and consistency.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Runner for Life

Personal:

I grew up in NM and met my husband at BYU. We've lived in NV, MI, AZ, and CO since graduation and we have 3 beautiful daughters 7, 2, and 1

Family Blog

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Asics (green) Lifetime Miles: 450.34
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
4.200.004.20

I tried something interesting today - Chi Running!  I finally watched the DVD my brother, Heber, lent me (he sent it last year - how embarrassing it's taken me this long!!) and decided to try it out.  I had almost no energy this morning.  We stayed up too late, it was a bad mother morning, and I was feeling lousy.  But I went anyway.  It was such an interesting experience!!  I actually got tired of the constant leaning forward feeling, but it's very true that it's easier on the legs.  My obliques were actually a little tired toward the end, though, from having to pull in my abs while leaning forward.  I went much faster than usual (because it was hard not to), so I ended up walking about 5 times and yet my average pace was still as good or better than usual.  Very interesting.  Also, I felt so much more invigorated after my run.  I don't think I've felt that way in a long time; so either it was the Chi running technique or the shorter distance.  I'll have to try it more to see if it's the key to my new running.  ; )

Comments
From Heber on Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 10:10:08

Yeah isn't it an interesting feeling? It got rid of a lot of the pounding I was experiencing.

From Brent on Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 23:34:48

Laura, chi running, tell me more, tell me more, without grease. I am interested in Chi, can you explain more of the technique.

Stay Kool, B of BS Rools out

From Lybi on Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 23:56:11

You inspired my run today, Laura. Better read about it before you feel too honored, though. Love you!

From Carolyn on Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 13:56:49

Sounds interesting! I'd like to hear more about Chi Running as well. I watched a short video demo of it on youtube, but I'm sure I need more information in order to give it a try myself.

From laura on Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 16:23:34

Okay, I'm going to try to explain Chi Running, but you each might have to watch the DVD yourself some day because my brother tried to explain it once and I didn't get it until I watched it:

The basic philosophy is that it's easier to simply pick up your feet rather than push off the ground; and you have to pick up your feet to save yourself from falling if you lean forward. So start standing - with very good posture: stomach in and chin helping align the back, then lean forward and begin to run. Your legs should feel more like a wheel than a pendulum; and you maintain your good posture (stomach-in, don't use your gluts to do this!) and swing your arms (bent at 90 degree angles) without crossing mid-line. Your footprint in the sand should look perfectly even, with no push off from your toe because you're landing on your midfoot rather than your heel. The normal way of landing on your heel leads to pounding on your joints and a less efficient way of running since your pushing against a force that is actually counter to your forward motion. (Did that make sense?)

To speed up, you lean more; to slow down, you lean less. And the last bit of info in this cram session of Chi Running is that your cadence should stay the same no matter how fast you're going. Cadence is the rhythm at which your feet hit the ground. The author and creator uses a metronome at 90 and says RIGHT - 2 - 3, LEFT - 2 - 3 with every other step being the "downbeat." Using the same cadence, the difference in your speed is how far forward you're leaning and how large your step is.

So, did I confuse everyone? Hopefully not. It's an interesting philosophy, but the jury's still out (with me) on whether I prefer it. Good luck in your own running!!

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