Chi-running

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Replies

  • FairyMiss
    FairyMiss Posts: 1,812 Member
    chi-running is that like running with tiny dogs????
  • mikeyrp
    mikeyrp Posts: 1,616 Member
    chi-running is that like running with tiny dogs????

    Yes. Only without the dogs. Unless you have a tiny dog.
  • FairyMiss
    FairyMiss Posts: 1,812 Member
    chi-running is that like running with tiny dogs????

    Yes. Only without the dogs. Unless you have a tiny dog.

    i have 3, but one is "special" but they are yorkies though so i don't know if they will work
  • nikki_zav
    nikki_zav Posts: 320 Member
    Picked up ChiRunning from my library last night and 47 pages in so far. Running or not, it's a good book and gives you a lot to think about. What some people are referring to as the hippy-dippy, new age, too far out there stuff is actually ancient philosophies that have shaped the strength of Eastern religion and life. All Eastern philosophies are based around balance and knowledge. Unlike many Western religions, it is encouraged to practice more than one. Use the strength and knowledge gained from one facet of life and apply it to all others.

    This book is not only about barefoot/minimalist running. It can be applied to any and all running. While the author is not necessarily FOR strength training, can the same philosophies on movement, harnessing you bodies power, and listening to it's needs help you further develop your strength training?! Absolutely!!

    Like I said, only 47 pages in...but keep an open mind when reading this. The black and white text is something that can be applied to many shades of grey throughout your life.

    Happy running!
  • FryingPanda
    FryingPanda Posts: 99 Member
    Haha.. I would totally love to see force diagrams of ChiRunning. Maybe then I could understand it better. :smile:
  • mikeyrp
    mikeyrp Posts: 1,616 Member
    Haha.. I would totally love to see force diagrams of ChiRunning. Maybe then I could understand it better. :smile:

    Force%20diagram.jpg

    lgd.jpg

    I think this may need some more explanation but I am MEANT to be working... the most confusing but is the line showing gravity being converted to angular momentum - that's because the downward line is coming from the centre of gravity (COG), I moved it to the outer circle because it was easier to see:

    Angular%20momentum.jpg

    The calculation of angular force = distance of COG from the pivot (R) * force due to gravity along line tangential to the axis (green line). The amount of force in the green line = COS(X)* force due to gravity (red)

    You can do a similar calculation to work out the breaking force by looking at the position of the heal strike.
  • nikki_zav
    nikki_zav Posts: 320 Member
    :heart: :heart: :heart: the diagrams Mike!!!
  • mikeyrp
    mikeyrp Posts: 1,616 Member
    Today I set my personal record for 5km @ 21 minutes 24 seconds. Chi Running (at least trying for it) all the way baby.

    I do have mild shin splints today though :(
  • craftylatvian
    craftylatvian Posts: 599 Member
    Bump!
    I have problems with shin splints when I started the C25K and have the Chi Running book on hold at my bookstore.
    I could run a lot more if I wasn't in pain from my shins and knee.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Great diagrams!
  • libstr
    libstr Posts: 36 Member
    this chi running is interesting, going to borrow the book from the library tomorrow and read some more. I enjoy exercising, i would like to be able to run but my feet hurt me and then my calves start to hurt.

    I suffered from plantar facitis for many years and i still wear my orthotics in my 'walking' shoes but not in my gym shoes.

    Im wondering if this minimal shoe stuff is for me...... I have seen the vibram 5 finger shoes and spoke to someone who loves his... just dont know if its right.

    any thoughts?
  • mikeyrp
    mikeyrp Posts: 1,616 Member
    Interesting discussion with a friend at the weekend: he is into minimalistic shoes and when we discussed chi-running vs shoes we found that the shoes were encouraging a natural move towards a chi-running style.
  • craftylatvian
    craftylatvian Posts: 599 Member
    I have been paying attention to how I run and I do run barefoot-style. I am looking into purchasing a pair of Reebok Realflex shoes.
  • libstr
    libstr Posts: 36 Member
    Im going to watch people running at the gym and talk to some of my friends who run.

    need to know if this style is suited to my feet problems :sad:
  • mikeyrp
    mikeyrp Posts: 1,616 Member
    As promised - latest update

    1) Getting very fast times out of this technique (on a personal scale anyway) which is good.

    2) Injuries migrated from knee & shin to my hip flexors which are pretty uncomfortable now in my left leg.

    I'm going to see a physio about this but it make sense that a technique which uses more core muscles will create this kind of injury.

    As always, final verdict TBA.
  • mikeyrp
    mikeyrp Posts: 1,616 Member
    Re-read chi running basic technique - I am getting too much power from my feet (extending onto my toes to instead of 'lifting' my feet off the ground. This did help with the injury but slowed me down alot - although the heat today in the UK didn't help that at all!

    I'm going to keep working on this and hope I can get the speed back elsewhere.
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