Anyone Try Chi Running?

[bounceliketigger]

I started running in May of last year & have been plagued with lower leg pain & injury. I got alot of advice about trying different shoes & have definitely seen a difference between the 2 I've tried so far. But after a 9.5 mile run, my longest to date, I could barely walk from lower leg & IT band pain.

So, I started doing some research & came across 2 things that I've decided to give a try: Chi Running and going to shoes with less stability & less between me & the ground ("minimalist shoes"). While I'm certainly not thinking of running barefoot or in Vibram 5 Fingers at this point, much about both philosophies make a great deal of sense.

Today I ditched my typical work shoes for a pair of almost negative heel flats and felt a huge difference by the end of the day.

Does anyone practice these methods regularly or have tried it occasionally?

 

[wtpclc]

I must admit that I've slipped off but CHi Running has done wonders for me. I set many PRs in 08 after cahnging to a more Chi style. If you really want to so it, I highly recommend going ot a workshop. Hope it helps!

 

[Goofed98]

It's worth a shot. After years of shin and knee pain, I resorted to barefoot and minimalist (vibram five fingers) running, and it feels great. I trained for Goofy either barefoot or in Vibrams up until the last week or two, when it just got too dang cold.

I actually ran both races in a pair of minimal indoor soccer shoes, and I experienced no shin, knee or back pain. It takes a while to get used to, and it isn't a magic cure-all, but enough people have had positive results that it is at least worth trying.

Worst case, you're right where you are now. Best case, pain free running for years to come.

 

[solar]

I love Chi Running....slight posture change, using my core, etc...has made a big difference for me. I rarely feel any soreness after a run. I ran for TWO hours on Saturday night (I'm in training for Princess) and the next day it didn't even felt like I'd run at all, no soreness, nothing - and I'm an overweight, beginner runner...I am so happy I made the change.

When I first started running, I KNEW I ran the day before - I felt it like crazy in my legs - went to Chi - and it's like a world of difference for me.

 

[MJonesMBA2001]

I bought the book and tried ChiRunning, but for me it was just too much to think about. I Just Do It - get out there on autopilot and run.

One thing that I thought was a good thing to implement was laying on the floor and putting your legs on a wall after a long run to minimize the negative losses.

 

[bounceliketigger]

It's worth a shot. After years of shin and knee pain, I resorted to barefoot and minimalist (vibram five fingers) running, and it feels great. I trained for Goofy either barefoot or in Vibrams up until the last week or two, when it just got too dang cold.

I actually ran both races in a pair of minimal indoor soccer shoes, and I experienced no shin, knee or back pain. It takes a while to get used to, and it isn't a magic cure-all, but enough people have had positive results that it is at least worth trying.

Worst case, you're right where you are now. Best case, pain free running for years to come.

I tried a short run today in New Balance 550s--very minimal compared to what I'm used to. I tried to implement what I could of Chi, but really had to think about it and felt pretty awkward. Maybe too much too fast or possibly I'm actually injured, but my lower legs were in so much pain it just wasn't happening. Anyway, I'm looking for a Chi clinic but so far no luck near where I live. The whole philosophy makes alot of sense, so I'm going to stick with it for awhile & see what happens.

 

[solar]

I'm a visual learner...and one of the things that helped make it "click" for me was to see it...

if you do a search on YouTube for Chi Running- I think there's a video that shows a nice example...

this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8egf6aXgH0


hope it helps you a little...there are other videos as well - and search - ChiLivingInc - i think that's Danny Dreyer's channel on YouTube

-- anyway, the video linked above - hearing him talk about it - but then SEEING that bit towards the end - i was like made it much easier for me to visualize what I should be doing

 

[marathonmommy]

Never heard of it before until this link, so I googled it. I ordered the book and DVD. I feel that I should be a much faster person and always thought I was maybe doing something wrong. I am hoping this is the answer to my prayers!

 

[wtpclc]

I tried a short run today in New Balance 550s--very minimal compared to what I'm used to. I tried to implement what I could of Chi, but really had to think about it and felt pretty awkward. Maybe too much too fast or possibly I'm actually injured, but my lower legs were in so much pain it just wasn't happening. Anyway, I'm looking for a Chi clinic but so far no luck near where I live. The whole philosophy makes alot of sense, so I'm going to stick with it for awhile & see what happens.

Doing the drills helps a lot. When I started, I concentrated on one thing at a time. For me, just being upright adn not bent over at the waist was huge.

 

[bounceliketigger]

I was running the indoor track at my gym today & gave it a try. Really focusing on the lower core. The track is a 1/12 mile lap and I basically did drills for 1/2 lap at a time. WOW! I really don't know if I was doing it right, but yesterday my lower legs were so sore I couldn't get around once without stopping to stretch. Today I did 3+ miles & ran at least 75% of it. This is no where near my normal, but I suffered severe pain following a 9.5 miler & couldn't really do much of anything for over a week, so I'll take it!

In addition, I saw a guy running (had lots of opportunities to watch him pass me on the little track--lol!). Anyway, his heels looked as if they never even touched the ground. He looked so light on his feet it was amazing. His stride broke the midline by a great distance so I don't think he was Chi running, but I decided to try to imitate his strike, so to speak, by focusing on landing on my fore & midfoot more. The combination of these two things worked wonders & I can't wait to do more Chi research & try to implement the practice as best I can!

Injury free? Is it really possible?

 

[crewmatt]

So obviously there are 100s of differing opinions on Chi or Pose Running. I'm not 100% sure either of them has THE right answer like everything else in the world. However I will certainly say that stealing some pointers from their techniques has helped me. The main thing I've stolen from them is not overstriding, so basically shrinking the length of my stride and having faster turnaround on my feet. As for landings, I'm still a heel striker but a softer one due to shrinking the length of my stride (mostly on the frontend of it). There was this interesting article I read that broke down elite runners by landing patterns

http://www.sportsscientists.com/2008/04/running-technique-footstrike.html

The one thing I would say is that you shouldnt force yourself to land one way or another, just to stick with whatever works best for you. The easiest way to figure out what works best for you is to run, and to occasionally do some speedwork on the track, against a stopwatch or very close in speed opponent. This will allow you to make modifications that are more sustainable and will actually result in you being able to run furthur or faster. I know quite a few heelstrikers, midfoots, and 2 toe strikers, all of whom I'd consider very capable runners. And in them I dont really have ANY kind of pattern as to who is better in what situation (at least not tied to the way they land).

 

[crewmatt]

http://www.sportsscientists.com/2007/09/running-technique-part-iv-running.html

 

[airman]

I am really curious about ChiRunning after first hearing about it the other day while looking online for leg stretching exercises. Who has used the DVD and book to lear this running technique? Has it helped? I read the description online and I had a tough time following it. I watched some good videos on youtube and I think I understand now. I saw online that a ChiRunning class will be offered May 1st at the running store I get my shoes an I am thinking about signing up. Has anyone taken a class before? I ran 3 miles today at Bally's and when I concentrated on standing straight and leaning forward with my feet to make me run, it felt pretty good and didn't feel any stress in my shins. It's just so new it is tough to always run that way. I have suffered from shin pain in the past that has stalled any running workouts. So far with the right shoes and the proper training schedule I have been running almost pain free (just a little soreness).
I would love any feedback on ChiRunning experiences.
Joe

 

[wtpclc]

Joe - I took the class. It did wonders fro understandign and forced me to do teh exercises recommende in the book instead of just jumping in. I think it's done a lot for me.

 

[solar]

OH!!!!!! They just posted a class by me!!! Emailed for info - would LOVE to take this and improve on what i've been doing!

 

[bounceliketigger]

OH!!!!!! They just posted a class by me!!! Emailed for info - would LOVE to take this and improve on what i've been doing!

Can you email me the details?

 

[solar]

Sent you a PM, and for anyone interested....they have a schedule on their website..so maybe they have something in your area - don't know

* i am in NO way associated with them...just a fan!

 

[marathonmommy]

Sent you a PM, and for anyone interested....they have a schedule on their website..so maybe they have something in your area - don't know

* i am in NO way associated with them...just a fan!

Can you PM me as well? Which one is in the Jersey area? I am an-ex Jersey girl. Actually, worked in Hunterdon County - lived in Somerset, Warren, and Morris!

 

[solar]

I'm in Hunterdon County! Here's the schedule for the Jersey stuff...

http://www.echifitness.com/schedule.html

and here's where you can find other states and things (schedules/instructors) on the main website:

http://www.chirunning.com/shop/pages.php?pageid=3

 

[bounceliketigger]

Well I'm watching, reading, talking & practicing & today I did 10.5 and NO PAIN ! If I feel this good in the morning I'm hooked!!