Chi Running
I started a class on Chi Running today. It’s supposed to be a blend of Tai Chi and running that uses mental focus, posture and the martial arts’ focus on core strength to avoid injury and increase efficiency. No matter–within 5 minutes my addled mind had left all that behind and was cranking out David Carradine jokes. Running with a rope around your neck and pants around your ankles is apparently bad for you.
Once that had run its course, I noticed the instructor was still talking so I began to listen and follow. I got the parts about elongating my spine and relaxing my shoulders. But lifting my pelvis? That took awhile. Then it was to the track to start running while holding the position of a store window mannequin. It did get easier with each lap and the additional focus on striking with the midfoot and not the heel helped as well. The focus on efficiency is right up my alley and I discovered that I’d already been trying to do a lot of this on my own but didn’t know how. I still don’t but maybe after 6 classes I will.
That said, my knees were killing me by the time I left. Only ran a mile or so today. Ran three yesterday and will go four tomorrow and due to the excessive heat, nearly all of my runs for the past 2 weeks have occurred on a 1/16th mile indoor track. The constant turning and changing stride has begun to play havoc with my shins and knees. So tomorrow I’ll head out on the road at 6am, I prefer road work anyway.
The culmination of this class is a 5k sponsored by our church. That will be my first actual organized event.