This has nothing to do with being a gifted runner or not. NOTHING!!!
If you are not a gifted runner, you are not going to be one. So maybe you should train differently (often less miles). I said before, that you can only run as fast as you are designed for. No forced change in run style will contribute to this. Adapt the training to your run style instead of changing the style of running to the training of highly talented runners…
But is there a difference between being fast and being efficient? It seems as if most of the focus points that docfuel cited from Danny Dreyer would, at the very least, help one to run more efficiently - and ultimately somewhat “faster”. Maybe? Yes/no?
The changes I made, cited a few posts above, were indeed all about forcing a change in my running style. However, I’m not sure that the subtle changes listed by docfuel would necessarily be in the same category as what I attempted. To me, they are more like a refinement to a pre-existing running style, things that can be worked at by anybody as a way to run more efficiently or effortlessly.
Finally, I will try to locate the Dev Paul post that emphasized putting the recovering foot onto the planted foot while trying to have no shoulder rotation. I work at the latter, but am not sure that what I accomplish with my recovery and planted feet is what Dev (via docfuel) has in mind. If not, I think I will try it, figuring it too goes into the category of a refinement rather than a metamorphosis.
I just read the book and I recommend it.
Let me preface by saying I’ve ran for years, and while putting in tons of miles I was always slower and more injury prone than other runners.
This last time, I had an ITB issue, and I knew something needed to change. For me, I was getting hurt alot more than I should. I knew my form, the one I’ve been doing naturally, was not correct. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with it but I knew I needed a change. I bought Chirunning about a month ago and have been pretty amazed at the results. My run pace went down a full minute and I’m able to sustain effort over longer periods. While I credit Chirunning with fixing my form, I do think it just advertises good for with a Tai Chi spin. Seems POSE is almost the same thing with a different spin.
I think the argument some make about ‘just run naturally’ isn’t really a good one at all. The first time I tried to hit a tennis racket, or golf club, it was wrong and I had to be corrected. Some of us may be born with a good run form, but myself and others weren’t. So far Chirunning has been pretty good to me and I recommend at least reading the book.
Most people advocating some kind of chi or pose running always think that the alternative is: “putting in tons of miles”. Some athletes do things so completely wrong that even pose or chi leads to improvement. It is not the best way of training but it will lead to progression if it is better than you used to do. Your story shows you did things wrong, not that what you do now is best…
THE BIG DIFFERENCE is that Pose starts with that pickup up your foot as your toe touches. They have a rep for a lot of achilles injuries.
Chi just start leaning until you start to fall a little and just keep landing your feet under your hip just enough to keep from falling. No forced toeing or foot lifting in place as a base.
BUT, people who continue with Pose sings it’s praises. It just irritated the hell out of my achilles.
Disclaimer. I have absolutely nothing to do with Chi or Danny Dreyer, and I think there are faster ways to run, especially for 5 and 10k. I sort of use Dev’s thought with the Chi stuff for HIM or less and try to add a little more glute for faster distances. It works for me.
i’ve done a chi running clinic before, it’s very interesting. It’s very easy on the body and helps with posture. Not only that, but the use of gravity in your run stride help with sprinting. I found that the techniques i’d learned from the chi running clinic really helped me on the track while training. The use of wind for example is crucial to the efficiency of your run stride, in chi running, wind helps with the swift movement of the body. Definitely a good way to try different run techniques out…
I just read this book two weeks ago after resisting it for a year. Read it as I had developed a debilitating PF and hadn’t run for almost 2 months. Always enjoyed running, always been pretty decent (18min 5K, 39min 10K, 1:30HM) and never read up on anything, but since I started doing Tri’s I had changed my stride to be more forefoot, which caused the PF. This book put me back on a mid-foot strike, and made me focus on my form much more. PF is now gone (did other things as well I should say) and I feel more comfortable on my run that I have in a long time.