Cast you mind back to many years ago.

Were you ever taught how to run?

I wasn’t.

Running is just a basic motion that anyone should be able to do with some efficiency. For those who are so out of shape that they can’t run a mile, or a short sprint, without any adverse effects, you have some other issues I won’t get into today.

But just because you can do it, does that mean you’re doing it right?

I have not been a big advocate of running. I look at the research and anecdotal advice of many others who end up with bad knees or backs. Plus I sure don’t want to look like a marathoner.

When I do running its usually sprints, especially hill sprints. Despite the increase in intensity these are a lot safer on your joints. Plus anaerobic training appears to be superior to aerobic training in its healthful effects. In fact, I just located a decent hill near my house so I plan on adding these into my training once again.

Back to my main point. Maybe the reason so many people end up with nagging injuries is that they’re doing it wrong.

The shoes are a big part of it. Fairly recently, I’ve learned that you’re suppose to run on the balls of your feet. If you didn’t have a inch wide cushion with your fancy running shoes you’d realize just how painful it is to heel strike the ground with every step. These shoes completely mess with the natural and supreme architecture of your feet.

Getting Vibram’s or a pair of soleless shoes can help, but even this doesn’t correct everything. (And it can be tough to break into if you’re not use to it like I did in this 6 mile race.)

A couple months back I went in to take a class on Pose running. First off, I have to say this is a weird thing to do, to take a class on running.

And then you feel even more like an idiot when they completely change the way you run.

Its like learning any new physical skill in the beginning. The problem here is you literally have hundreds of thousands of reps of a different (wrong) technique ingrained in you. There are several things to pay attention to all at once…

…lift the heel toward your butt

…raise the knee but not too high

…keep the ankle relaxed

…lean forward but don’t bend at the hips

…stay on those toes

By the end of the session I started to feel like I was getting it, but I knew I’d have to practice much more over time.

Running long distance, or even short distances, isn’t on the top of my goals list right now. (Yeah, at some point part of me wants to complete a marathon without really training for it, but we’ll see when I actually do it.) I believe there are superior methods of conditioning for the most part. But being able to run, and to run easily and efficiently, is something everyone should be able to do.

Don’t get my wrong. I’d have no problem immediately going into a sprint right now, or running for a couple miles if the need was there. But it is something I could improve upon.

Do you have any experience Pose running, barefoot running, or just plain running? What are your thoughts?

In strength,
Logan Christopher