Looking for my Chi -- Have you seen it?

Yep -- It is inevitable that I title one of my posts Chi Running. I've been trying it for the past couple months and talked about it with a few people. Everyone I have explained it to so far has told me that it is the dumbest thing they have ever heard, except for the people that have actually tried it (isn't that strange). The Chi Running method which was developed by a guy named Danny Dryer, and incorporates ancient Tai Chi principles into endurance running. The idea is to put your body in a position to run naturally using your Chi, which you keep in your core just below your belly button (I'm still learning). The book contrasts two types of running, Chi Running and Power Running.

Power runners use their muscles to run. They pump their legs up and down and swing their arms forward to help propel them. This works if you are Michael Johnson sprinting 100 meters, but is not very energy efficient and generally results in over-striding and more pounding than necessary. Using that type of energy and muscle power just isn't practical when running long distances (especially after swimming and biking when you just don't have that type of energy and power).

Chi Running, on the other hand, is based on the principle that proper body position and mental focus will basically allow your body to work the way it was intended. The Chi Running method was developed with the idea that the less "power" you use, the more ground you can cover with less energy use. You certainly won't win a 100 meter sprint, but this type of thing can really come in handy in long-distance runs and triathlons. The main idea, leaving out all the hokey Tai Chi stuff that most of you are probably not interested in, is that if you keep the proper posture and body alignment, lean forward at your ankles, and relax your body, you will rely less on muscles and "power" and more on the ligaments and infrastructure of your body to provide your forward motion. I know, it sounds a little out there, but the book provides a much more thorough explanation than my few poorly worded sentences.

Which brings me to another point. This blog is something that I am doing before work every day. I sit down at my desk, grab a cup of coffee, and write out a quick post before I start my day. Anyway, each of these posts are written quickly and informally. I don't reread what I have types and I certianly don't edit them. I don't figure there are near enough people that will ever see this to warrant that type of effort. So, enjoy the posts if you elect to read them, and I apologize, in advance, for the litany of typos, grammatical errors, and general incoherency running rampant throughout this blog. Welcome to my world. . . .

*** Last night I ran 5.39 miles in 49 minutes. I felt o.k., but my shins were really tight for the first couple miles. I started focuing on some of the main Chi Running checkpoints, really tried to loosen my legs up, and was able to get the tightness worked out within a mile. The rest of my run felt great. Maybe it's a bunch of bunk, maybe it's not, but if it works . . . I'll certainly give it a go.

Later.