My ChiRunning Workshop Report

[wtpclc]

Well, I was really looking forward to this, and, while I am glad that I went and I think it will do a lot of good for me, there was a lot of negative that came from the class. I won’t get into the details of the biggest negative. Let’s just say the trainer was a jerk. That caused a lot of frustration.

The class itself did wonders. I highly recommend doing a half day, as I was tired when I was done and don’t know that I would have retained as much had it been a full day.

The fact that we did the posture over and over and over for four hours was really helpful. I am now very comfortable with how things should feel.
We also watched most of the DVD. As much as I disliked reading the book, the DVD seemed useless to us. The book had more detail and the same pix, although they don’t move. If you read the book and do what it says, you will be much better off than using the DVD. Dh and I completely agreed on that. We thought we’d pick up the DVD as a refresher from the class but had no need for it. The book is much more in depth.

Now, had I been better about practicing what I did in the book, I might not have needed the class. However, I wanted someone to tell me that as uncomfortable as I felt, I was connecting the dots properly. The class did wonders for that.

We started with intros, tehn teh prescribed warm ups with a few extras added in. I still say I need some gentle strtching pre-run but everyone debates when is best to stretch. Then, we ran for him while he critiqued. then, we moved inside for training.

Here's what we did, practicing each step for 10 to 15 minutes as we went.

1. Align feet hip width apart.
2. Lengthen Body.
3. Align head.
4. Tilt pelvis.
5. Align hips by pushing on them.

(Practiced these individually adn then put them together until everyone had done it in front of teh class (14 people))

6. Practiced Lean with partner adn tehn against wall with both feet flat, tehn alternated with each heel up.

7. Practiced leaning against wall while picking feet up heel frist and making the pedal type motion.

8. Baby stepped across room with heel lift steps. Several times.

9. Baby stepped half way (20 ft) then did run (with lean, arms at side)

10. Added arms swings. Went from baby steps to run to add arms. (Then got yelled at, as we did not use enough arms in the 15 feet we were supposed to. Hmmm...Maybe not wanting to run into the wall at full speed was a factor. Grrrr....)

11. Then, put it all together and did about 100-foot jogs n teh parking lot startign with baby steps, then mroe lean, tehn jog, then add arms.

The second negative was my back pain. Sadly, I have such little core, that it hurts my back to use the proper posture. I was really hurting by the end of class. So, I left knowing what I had to do, but really worried about how I was going to do a half marathon next weekend. The new posture had helped my pace enough that I didn’t want to go back. It was so much easier to breathe staying upright. However, I could not run with the back pain. Just too much. So, I put my head in the sand and decided to deal with it Sunday.

Sunday, I was really sore. My hips hurt like heck. It meant I was doing things right, but not fun. I was not looking forward to my 5-miler. I started with a cruddy attitude. The weather stunk and I hurt in places I had not known you could hurt. Dh told me just to focus on arms then, and I told him I hurt to much to focus on anything. (Yeah, I needed an attitude adjustment. The BMZ came way early)

Well, I found a place that was not as upright as I should be, but my back didn’t hurt and breathing came easy. I managed to focus on my feet and my arm swing.

Unbeknownst to me, we were actually going pretty good. Had my best LR pace of the year. WTH? So, although I was hurting and not fully utilizing ChiRunning, it obviously works wonders for me. Wow. I can’t wait until I have my core up to snuff and get the muscles around my hips built up. I think I’ll be flying. Yay! So, while I was really bummed coming out of class, the proof is in the run and that proved to me that it works!

If anyone plans to take the class, avoid the instructor out of Chicago. PM me if you want the name.

A quick funny for those of you who read the book. One person introduced herself at the beginning of class and said she read the book. She said it was wonderful. WTH? While the info was good, it was not a book I’ve heard anyone call wonderful. I was feeling kind of dumb. She then proceeded to run with her arms straight and flailing and do nothing that resembled ChiRunning whatsoever. It’s small of me, I know, but I was relieved. While I didn’t think the book was wonderful, at least I retained some of the info. Lol.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thank you for posting the report. The instructor sounds like a total jerk though!!! I'd complain about that!

Have you tried pilates Carrie? It will really reinforce what you've learned in the workshop and help to build the strength in your abs, back and hips. Let me know if you'd like me to find you a good certified instructor in your area. As with the chi running instructor...there is a wide variety of people out there teaching pilates and sadly many are untrained...therefore you get an "ab attack" class or something like a firm video workout instead of true pilates which is what you need.

Thanks again!

 

[deekaypee]

Carrie,

Thank you so much for the review. I'm sorry you ended up with a jerky instructor, and I think it's a testament to your character that you were able to get beyond that factor & see the benefit in the workshop and to pass it on to us. I don't know if I could have done that.

I found your assessment of your back pain, core strength, and your LR extremely helpful, too! It jives with so much of my experience at the Goofy, and what I'm focusing on with Chi Running. I was so happy for you that your LR pace was so good, despite it all. Talk about validation and giving you the motivation to continue working on things.

Oh, and wonderful book? Hmm....methinks someone was trying for the gold star of the workshop!

 

[bridgetgabbie]

I am glad people don't find the book "enjoyable" reading. I have really been working on my form, but reading the book has been a little boring. I would love to take the workshop, but thought I would try it out on my own first. I was very sore when I first started out but it seems that when I focus on Chi Running that I can run a more relaxed run. I am faster than before but that could be coincidence because my training is ramped up. Good luck with your race!

Robin

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Carrie, thanks for the report. I'm sorry about your core strength needs. Who woulda thunk? I do love doing the Pilates I manage and can't wait to get back at it.

I know now you are armed with good info (inspite of instructor) and that you will be improving with each step.

 

[chimera]

Hey...Carrie took the class...she can be our instructor at the Minnie!!!

 

[wtpclc]

I'd be happy to go through the steps at the Minnie if anyone wants to. just getting that right and practicing does so much.

Amy - I know you're right, but the only way I coudl find the time for a class is to sacrifice my yoga. Just can't do that. I do have exercises I am doing on my own. I'm patiently waiting for that Amycast class to come too.

Robin - ROTFL! Several of us complained about how hard the book was on the weekly thread. I finally finished it Sunday. However, after taking the class, I've been looking stuff up adn it's a great refernce. Justl ilke refernce books in the library. Not a fun read, but has all the info you need.

FYI - I e-mailed ChiRunning yesterday about my instructor. When I got home, I had a message on my machine (they must have looked up my numner from class registration, as I didn't give it in the e-mail) asking me to call them and discuss what happened and see how they can make my ChiRunning experience more positive. Basically, I brifely gave my complaints and said maybe it was a1-time thing. However, I felt they should know in case others had similar experiences and soemthing needed to be done. I did not meniton wanting anything from them and told them I got what I eneded from teh class. So, I ws very impressed that they took the time to follow up and did it so quickly. Return call was in 3 hours or less. Didn't get the time stamp.

While I really don't want to discuss it with a stranger (mush easier for me to write it down), I will call and let you knwo how it goes.

 

[wtpclc]

Wow, just got this in my e-mail.

Hi Carrie,
Thank you very much for emailing us and telling us about your experience with *******. I will be emailing him to let him know in no uncertain terms that how he was with you is not even in the same ballpark as how we like to teach. It is unacceptable and I deeply apologize for your experience of being humiliated. No one should ever be made to feel that way... especially in a learning situation. The reason why I take such pains to teach in the way that I do is precisely because I had too many teachers in my past that used being a teacher as a source of personal empowerment over others. We will do all we can to correct the situation and to insure that it never happens again to anyone that ****** teaches.

I wish you all the best in your efforts to improve your running technique. If you have any questions at all about how to do anything with the ChiRunning form, please don’t hesitate to email me and I’ll be happy to help.

Cheers,
Danny

ETA: I just got off the phone with the ChiLiving rep that called me last night. I felt that they had already exceeded my expectations for remedying this, but they went above and beyond. My experience sounds rare to say the least. Please don't let my experience stop you from taking a class.

 

[Maherae]

Carrie,
So very glad that you got a response from Danny and all of the other feedback. We first got introduced to ChiRunning at the DL 1/2 marathon in 2006. Danny was a speaker at the Expo. He had us all do the posture while we were with him. DH bought the book and CD before we left the Expo. He practiced the stuff when we got home and his speed really increased! At the 2007 WDW Expo, I had to draaaag him away from the ChiRunning booth after an hour because he was standing there telling people how wonderful it was! For those of you who know DH, he's not the extrovert kind..this was unbelieveable to me!!

I'm glad that you have stuck with it, and that it has helped you, Carrie. Now, on to some core work!! (There are only so many hours in a day, right?? )

Thanks for sharing, Carrie!! Anne

 

[escape]

Carrie - thanks for the post. This sounds like something my DH and I would like to do. I doubt that they will offer a class in my state, though - I'm sure I'll have to travel somewhere to take it.

Also, glad you were able to get some type of resolution from your ordeal. Sounds like Danny is taking the right steps to make it right.

 

[wtpclc]

Susie - You never know. There's a list on ChiRunning.com. If not, maybe you canline one up when you're on vacation. Then again, a reason to travel is always fun.

 

[Jodi]

Carrie - Thanks for posting about your experience! Here I thought I was the only one ChiRunning on the boards ! Sorry your instructor was such a D-Bag , but so glad to hear that Danny responded to you so quickly, it shows that he really stands behind his "product".

I've been "trying" to Chi run for about 1 1/2 years now & find that it is very difficult for me, but worth the effort, without a doubt. I've been running injury-free since I started. The book is boring as heck, but is a must read, I feel, for all runners. I may not be breaking any land-speed records, but except for a little soreness a day or so afterwards, am pretty much pain-free after a marathon. All of this, I believe, is because I attempt to ChiRun!

Thanks again for sharing your day!

 

[wtpclc]

Jodi - There are several of us "trying". I really have noticed teh difference and I have a long way to go.

BTW, Danny made good to offer help on form. He's given me a few tips on my back. Still amazing that he's taken the time to contact lil' ol' me directly and has responded twice. They way they took a huge negative and have really made it postive is awesome.

 

[Jodi]

Good for you, Carrie, I truly believe in the form. I hope your back cooperates for you! I don't do any core work , but am convinced that if I did, my speed would improve...I'm just so dang lazy!! I think I'll have to take a 1/2 day class sometime soon!

 

[mkymsehi]

Carrie,

Thanks for your info about Chi Running. Glad they got your feedback, and will correct the problems so no one else experiences what you did.

I'm still working on watching the Chi Running DVD. Haven't implemented it in my training, only because I haven't watched the whole thing yet.