Chi Runners

Hey Grant-
I would ask Frank (scuba punk) about this one- I know he's read it and recommended it to me a few times...

What is Chi Running?

I work at learning ChiRunning, but I think Frank (scubapunk) is far ahead of me. When I run on the treadmill, I try and focus on one technique and work on that. Like work on the arm swing backwards and twisting at my spine or keeping my cadence at 90. I find working on my cadence is the easiest to do on the treadmill. I'm also working on building my base so I try to keep my HR under 140 which limits what I can do in ChiRunning. I don't work on leaning on the treadmill. In the ChiRunning Book Danny talks about how to run on a treadmill...I'd suggest looking it up in the book.

ChiRunning also has a website and forums with certified ChiRunning Instructors who respond to questions.

http://www.chirunning.com/

Someone asked what ChiRunning is...check out the website...but I'll give a simple answer. Danny Deyer developed a technique based on Tai Chi to run that helps you stay injury free and use nature to help you run. Deyer now does ultramarthons and often does 50-100 mile races and since doing these techniques has stayed injury free. By leaning when you run and having your foot land at the bottom on your column (head to foot in line and landing midfoot), you are using gravity to pull you ahead. If you land with your foot in front of your column it acts like a brake and slows you down. You try and lift your legs and keep your lower leg limp so you are not pushing off. Plus by swinging your arms backwards and twisting your spine you are propeled forward...so running is not power running but being effecient and using your whole body. You goal is to have a cadance of 90 strides per foot per minute very similar to cycling. Sorry about poor explanation...but it will give you an idea.

I am a slow and not very good runner. I hope ChiRunning will help me stay injury free, run faster and enjoy it more.

What is the difference between Chi and Pose?

I think they're very similar.  IMHO the PRIMARY objective of both is to get you landing on your mid-foot and forward versus being a heel striker and shortening your stride.  

Obviously, there's more to it than that and it was an interesting read, but I had started doing those things  before I read Chi-running and did not get a LOT more from the book.  

Gret information guys. Thanks!

I've only run on a treadmill a handful of times, but I think that you'll find a treadmill to be a great indicator of how well you are doing with ChiRunning. When I tried to run on a treadmill the first time, I ended up "jamming" my steps a lot. I was just running the way I normally would, but I had to hold on to the rails for dear life. The next time I used a treadmill was after I had been using ChiRunning for a few months. Once you start to get your steps landing below/beneath you, the treadmill will seem a lot more natural. Plus, if you have the option of being close to a mirror, it makes it easier for you to keep an eye on your form.

Any questions that you have specifically about ChiRunning I would recommend sending straight to the man himself. Danny or his wife reply to the emails very quickly and have always been very helpful when I have sent them questions.

Just as a side note, coming back from an ankle injury, I tried running the way I used to (heel strike/toe pushoff) and I couldn't believe how much it hurt. My discomfort went away almost immediately upon switching back to my ChiRunning style. My form is far from perfect, but it's much better than I did before. Good luck!

-Frank

I bought the DVD/Book at the Chicago Marathon in October..DVD is great.. I just started the training.. Running outside makes it easier to learn than on the treadmill...

Just bought the book too but not sure if my application of the technique is correct. Does having the DVD also give a "clearer picture" or just reissue the same information?

The DVD walks you thru the steps.. and you practice them before moving on -Watching the runners doing them - I think makes a huge difference ...Since I am still learning - I will play the DVD occasionally before a run to make sure that I am doing it right..

There's a little section in the book about treadmills. I can't remember what it says, though!

Kim's right, pages 188 and 189 (no, I don't have it memorized, I just happened to have it with me today...). Pretty much he says that at faster speeds, you experience more impact because the track is coming towards you. Mostly, just keep your stride short and cadence up. And remember to pick up your feet. Also, the bar at the front may keep you from leaning properly, and running at the back of the belt can be tricky...

-Frank

I'm always right. ;-)

I use it, 99% on the treadmill so far.....

As a virgin runner, I did not find it hard to learn on the treadmill at all. And it is very interesting when someone is running next to me. Even very good runners, you can hear a very loud foot impact. You can hardly hear my feet hit the treadmill at all (and I am a big guy). I'd like to think that's a good thing.

Using Chi Running, started out as a walker a couple months back. Can now run two miles easy (using the couch to 5K plan here). For me, that's huge

Chris

Interesting. I ran outside today at lunch and tried practicing the techniques I've learned (up to chapter 4, basically), and my footfalls sounded much louder to me. Maybe I've just got much more to learn.