Chi Living Blog

While Running, Don’t Miss the Run

2011-10-23T16:54:46+00:00

A few months ago, my family and I went to explore Mammoth Caves in Kentucky for the first time. We took a guided tour of one of the main cave sections. The Park Ranger conducting the tour was great. He kept telling us “Don’t miss the cave!” He must have said this at least 4 or 5 times.

This caught my attention. The Park Ranger finally explained what he meant. He has seen so many visitors come to the caves with their cameras and camcorders all caught up in taking pictures and videos that they don’t actually enjoy the wonders of the caves for themselves. They get back home and look over the pictures and videos that don’t do justice to the actual experience of the caves. They missed the cave!

Well, I thought about this with my running. The Park Ranger’s words have come back to me several times while running long distances. “Don’t miss the cave!” In other words, “Don’t miss the run!” I remember Danny Dreyer telling a group of people running at the Omega Institute that while running when he sees a beautiful view in nature, he will stop and enjoy the sight.

Sometimes I catch myself focusing on how many miles I'm running, what my running pace is, or focusing on trying to stay up with other runners around me that I miss the run. I didn’t notice the bald eagle flying ahead of me. Or I didn’t notice the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the road. Or I didn’t appreciate the simplicity of just being able to move and feel the wind and sunshine and fresh air over me.

I am learning to stay present and centered when running to enjoy my surroundings while applying my Chi Running focuses. So, the next time you go running, remember, above all else, “Don’t miss the run!”

A Chi Running Testimony

2011-10-17T16:54:34+00:00

On July 30, 2011, I completed running my first trail marathon. I ran the Grand Island Trail Marathon in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This was not my first marathon but one of the most challenging with hill running and diverse terrain.

I prepared for running this marathon using the Chi Running technique that I have been practicing. It was very enlightening to reflect on my experience of running this trail marathon. After the run, I felt fine. The Chi Running focuses helped me to run efficiently and to not get injured. In fact, the day after this marathon, while visiting the Grand Sable Dunes in Michigan, my son and I had a blast going down a steep sand dune to the shores of Lake Superior. This is a trek that few people take because the climb back up is not easy. You have to climb up on all fours slipping and sliding trying to get back to the top. So, one day after running my first trail marathon, I was climbing back up a steep sand dune with no problems. No aches and no pains. I also went bike riding with my son 2 days after the marathon with no problems.

This experience of feeling fine after the Grand Island Trail Marathon made me think back to when I ran my first marathon in 1998. It was 13 years ago at the Air Force Marathon in Dayton. This was my pre-Chi Running technique days. After that marathon, I remember going to my friend’s house near-by where I had stayed the previous night. I was going up the stairs to the guest room and recalled what a painful experience that was. I took one step at a time. I groaned with each step. My whole body ached. It seemed like it took forever to get to the top.

Wow, 13 years later, what a difference! After running a trail marathon, there I was climbing up a steep sand dune having a great time. I keep proving to myself that it was worth it to change my running form to learn the pain-free Chi Running t5ehcnique. I want to keep running my whole life long and the Chi Running technique is helping me to do that, stay pain-free and injury-free and to enjoy the rest of my life when I am not running.

Practice Chi Walking to Improve Your Chi Running

2011-10-03T22:48:20+00:00

For many years, my preferred way to unwind and recharge was to run. I never used to take walking that seriously. If I went out to exercise, it was always to run. I even had a somewhat negative view of walking. During my runs, stopping to walk was almost considered as “taboo.” If I was moving with my feet, then I thought that the best use of my time and energy was to run. Walking was just something I did if I was not running. But when you stop and think about it, we spend a lot of time on our feet walking to get around. Since practicing the Chi Running technique, I have discovered what a treasure Chi Walking is. I am beginning to tap into some of the wonderful benefits of the Chi Walking technique.

There are many similarities between the Chi Running technique and the Chi Walking technique. For instance, learning good posture with alignment and relaxation, which is critical for efficient and injury- free movement in the body, is the foundation for both techniques.

I am beginning to realize that Chi Running and Chi Walking greatly complement each other. When you're not Chi Running, Chi Walking can give you a wonderful cross-training experience to enhance your fitness program. Chi Walking is also a great way to transition into your running.

Sometimes after a long day at work when I go out running, I feel like my body is not quite ready to get moving. I really like transitioning into running by practicing my Chi Walking first. This is so relaxing. I will use my metronome and set it for a slow strolling pace. After I feel warmed up, I will increase my running cadence to a medium-paced walk. All the while, I am listening to my body, letting go of the day, enjoying the scenery around me, breathing and moving with alignment and relaxation. When my body feels ready, I will go into a fast-paced walk. I love the feeling that as my foot lands, the ground helps to pull my leg out the back and at the same time my leg pulls my hip back. I feel like I am gliding along the surface of the ground. Here, I can feel my pelvic rotation, which is so therapeutic. I can feel my lower back relaxing with the fluid motion of the disks in my lower spine cooperating with the rotation of my hips. Because Chi Walking moves at a slower pace than Chi Running, I am better able to feel my pelvic rotation when practicing Chi Walking. I memorize this feeling of my pelvic rotation when I walk and then I try to feel it again and allow it to happen when I run.

At the Chi Running Workshop at the Omega Institute, Danny Dreyer shared with us what his master Tai’ Chi Instructor said which was when you stop moving your spine, you begin to die. Wow, how important it is to keep our spine fluid and relaxed and moving! I am experiencing that an excellent way to keep my spine moving is with Chi Walking.

Well, there I am enjoying my Chi Walking experience so much that before I realize it thirty minutes have gone by and I haven’t even started my run yet. This is OK because when I am Chi Walking, I am practicing a lot of the same focuses that will help me when I run. Now, walking for me is not just something I do if I am not running. I am walking with purpose and intent by practicing my Chi Walking focuses. My Chi Walking and Chi Running go hand in hand. One helps the other. For this reason, I have been recommending that if you want to improve your Chi Running, then practice Chi Walking!