The Finish Line

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Chi Running Instead of a Cheeseburger

So it’s been awhile since I’ve updated, mostly because I had ditched my running schedule, losing focus and desire to run. The lapse was partially born out of shin splint pain, something that indicates my form wasn’t quite right. So I’ve busted out a copy of Danny Dreyer’s Chi Running to try to learn better biomechanics while getting from here to there. Which brings me to the realization that when running is approached a “here to there” activity, it becomes less natural. For all the non-scientific descriptions of life energy Dreyer uses as the foundation of his running program, one thought was evident: I run with different form and mindset when running around the block than when I trail run. The reason being, I find trail running an utter joy and my mind focus not on the destination, but the simple joy of being there. Thus my body is relaxed, my cadence is consistent, my breathing knowingly inhaled and exhaled, and I generally run very quickly. Compare this to my running style on the street where I tend to plod along with a tight and tired looking form. And that’s just out the door down the sidewalk…by mile 2 my shins start aching.

So for now, I’m looking to understand, identify and transpose the biomechanics of my trail running form to my regular neighborhood runs. Today was the first day I used some of the techniques learned from Chi Running, and I felt only a quarter of the time could I feel the relaxed ease of moving forward without effort or pain. The other 75% of the time, I ran with the same difficulty I’ve grown accustomed to. I know it’s not hopeless, because at one time I used to run 40 miles a week without any pains, whether for longer 10 mile runs or quick 5:45 miles…but that’s because I think I used to run without worrying about “getting there” and focused on “being here”, enjoying the late night running sessions back in suburban Nothridge. Here in Silver Lake, running sometimes feels like an obstacle course, magnifying the stress and tension I’m actually trying to escape.

I hope in time using Chi Running I can help reset my habits and run relaxed. I’ve ditched an ego driven speed requirements, and even distance as a goal. What I’d like to accomplish is just getting back that love of running and being the moment of moving forward as easily as bird through the air.

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Running As Therapy

Running Angry

People tell you not to run while angry. Fuck them. Running angry is great. You run fast, you hardly feel any pain and afterward you feel much better than when you started. I did it a few nights back after feeling trapped indoors, angry at something I had absolutely no control over, and came back feeling less likely to go Bruce Banner on life. I don’t think you should run every time you’re angry, but if you’re feeling the need to get some shit sorted without a visit to a head shrinker, lacing up and getting a few miles finished is wholly recommended.

I think I scared a few other evening pedestrians when I growled as them as I passed by. Or it could have been simply because I forgot to wear underwear and was donning my shortest shorts.

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