Wholistic Fitness

EC has written about this very topic in Total Body Transformation. Rather than labeling the technique or overcomplicating things, he describes a simple, natural style of running that favors keeping the point of ground contact under the body's center of gravity (rather than over-striding) while landing on the mid-foot. There is much more as well, including how to turn your CV workouts into moving meditations. Barefoot running is something to work up to gradually and I really enjoy them (up to 6 miles or so in the VFFs). There are so many other options out there now

As for shoes, I have my own personal preferences which includes the Vibrams as well as minimalist footwear from New Balance (MT101 I think). I have attended Newton Natural Running Clinics and had my stride analyzed while I ran 5 miles in Newtons next to a world-champion adventure racer. They are great if you can afford them. I can say that my stride transformed pretty effortlessly once I ditched the heavy, high-heeled shoes I had been using. Off-road, I am currently enjoying the Brooks Cascadia 4 which is a neutral trail runner with good stone protection.

Enough about me…Good luck!

Perhaps Coach will chime in as well…

Post edited 7:31 pm – January 6, 2011 by Roberto Crespo

Namaste,

I've been a big advocate of the POSE/Chi Running technique since I learned about it in 2004.  Since then I have run mostly injury free and last year ran 2 marathons in 3 weeks, one being the very hilly Catalina Marathon.

Simply put, it's the way your body was meant to run.

I found the best tool to be strides – 30 second runs, preferably on grass, focusing on ONE aspect of the technique: cadence, point of impact, pelvic angle, arm swing, and our old friends breath and posture.  In a concentrated 10-15 minute session you can do a LOT of work.  Keeping the strides to 30 seconds lets you really dial in your running form one component at a time.

I bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and I've enjoyed running in them recently, it's a great feeling to do a trail run in the rain in them, feet getting wet, running thru puddles, etc.  Makes me feel like a kid again.

I'm not very picky when it comes to shoes, ever since I improved my technique I've found that I can run in anything and suffer no consequences.

Another important piece to the puzzle is foot health, and to that end I spend a LOT of time barefoot and use YogaToes whenever I can.

A great resource and the guy who introduced me to Coach Ilg and WF is Steve Mackel.  He is a running coach here in SoCal, look him up at

** you don't have permission to see this link **

Here's to life,

Yogi RC

Thank you Roberto and Coach

Very useful and inspiring…2 marathons in 3 weeks!!!

I'm currently training for my first half marathon in the upcoming months.

Salutations

MarcL