ChiLiving

Marathon after half marathon

2013-05-14T03:00:18Z

I am currently using the 16 week half marathon program for a race May 26. First two weeks of July I’m going on a two week hike, the Tour du Mont Blanc, which will be 7-10 miles a day of ascents and descents, so I will need to break in my boots and train for that in June. I’m signed up for my first marathon October 6. I want to use the chi running training program, but when I return I’ll only have 12 weeks to train, not 20. Given how much I’ve been training, and that I will still be training, just working in hiking (only 2 weeks will be run-free 100% hiking) do you think it will be doable to start the marathon program midway through? What week would you suggest I begin on when I get back, and would you recommend skipping particular weeks to get back on schedule with long runs and speed work?

new app

2013-05-11T20:05:12Z

Has anybody use the new running app and what do you think of it? I would like to know before I spend over $10.00 for it

Challenged Bow-legged Runner!

2013-02-20T19:31:18Z

So, I’m on page 135 of ChiRunning revised edition and it all makes sense to me. Now, before I get into my question, know that I’m recovering from ITBS and Tendonitis in my right knee (3 weeks now) and really frustrated as I’m so close to my first full marathon on March 17th in Virginia Beach, VA (Yuengling Shamrock Marathon). My doctor said 800mb Advil, ice and rest, rest, rest.

I can almost guarantee you that I know exactly why the pain happened. I’ve been training since November with no injuries or pain UNTIL 3 weeks ago when I started pulling my feet in so they point straight ahead. I was doing a very easy pace 5 mile run when at mile 4 the outside of my right knee started hurting until finally I had to limp back home with excrutiating pain. I honestly think it was due to me putting all that extra stress on the outside of my leg while trying to straighen my foot out.

Genetically, my lower legs are several bowed, so naturally, my foot lands outside-in (over-pronate). Now, before you start criticizing this gait, know that I introduced myself to better running form through New Balance’s web site goodformrunning.com which embraces similar traits to ChiRunning, so I was already reaping the benefits from better form with no injuries, minimal recovery required and, as in ChiRunning, speed followed.

So, my question is do I bag the whole idea of straightening my skeletolly (is that really a word? - LOL) challeged genetics or are there things I can do to gradually make that transition? Right now I’m pretty angry that I did this to myself and could be missing out on my first marathon.

Have a Registration to the Asheville Marathon that I can transfer…

2013-02-13T21:04:09Z

I have a registration to the Asheville Marathon that I am looking to transfer. Essentially, you would pay me for the registration fee (I’d take less than original) and then pay a $30 transfer fee to Imathlete. Already checked with Daphne and this is cool—she’s already covered everyone on the waiting list with transfers so I’m looking elsewhere.
email me if you are interested or spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested.
Janet at true-ink dot com
p.s. Yep, I’m bummed but it’s the right choice for me.

90-year-old sets American age marathon record at the Marshall University marathon

2012-11-13T21:08:34Z

On November 11 Mike Fremont set a new American age record at the Marshall University marathon in Huntington, West Virginia. Despite the temperature rising into the mid-70s, Mike broke the former record by over ten minutes in posting a 6:35:47. This will be verified by USATF. The course is a certified Boston qualifier. A blog about Mike’s record-setting marathon effort (with photos of Mike) has been posted: http://www.lifenuts.org/blog1.html

Mike’s lifestyle has inspired a new community-based vitality program called LifeNuts, which made its debut at the marathon expo. Over 120 runners attended an hour-long presentation about the program given by Mike and Dr. Bob Kroeger and many expressed interest in taking LifeNuts back to their hometowns in appreciation for the gift of running marathons. Bob will continue to give presentations at marathon expos, hoping to motivate runners to start this program which is designed to save city budget dollars and reverse childhood obesity. For more information, go to http://www.lifenuts.org

Please consider bringing the LifeNuts program to your community. It’s free and it complements the ChiLiving and ChiRunning philosophy. All you need is a few inspired volunteers to run it.

Flat marathon course

2012-11-08T21:33:08Z

I’m scheduled to run a marathon in Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 16. The course allegedly has 60 feet of total elevation. Can’t imagine how it could be THAT flat, but anyway…

An experienced marathoner told me that while a flat course might seem easy, it has its own challenges - because you’re using the same muscles over and over. Anyone have any tips for running an ultra-flat course?

Calf explosions

2012-10-26T20:58:15Z

I’ve been a chi runner since 2008 and run in 6 marathons. In 5 of them, I got severe calf cramps between miles 20-24. Actually, not sure if it’s the calf; it usually starts high up on the calf on the inside part of the leg. I’m still trying to figure out why, but I’d love to hear anyone else’s thoughts/experiences. Some more details:

- I probably start too fast. My goal has been to beat 4 hours, and I’ve tried to “bank time” in the first half, running roughly 8:50-9 minute miles. My LSD training runs are usually in the 9:40-10 minute/mile range, usually doing at least 4 18-21 milers before a race over hilly terrain.
- I’ve experimented with electrolyte pills, taking 6-8 throughout two races. I didn’t notice any impact on the cramping.
- I usually eat bananas whenever they’re offered and will sometimes bring banana slices with me (although they always turn to soup in my pocket - yuck!)
- I drink at most water stations, usually a sports drink but sometimes water. Don’t always drink a full cup, and wonder if I might be a little dehydrated?
- I saw a photo of myself in the late stages of one marathon. I was shocked to see how much my form had deteriorated. I was clearly heel striking. I try to review the focuses throughout the race, but at least in one case my form fell apart.

My thoughts are to 1) start slower, maybe shaving no more than 20-30 seconds off my best LSD pace. 2) Continue the electrolytes and drink a little more. 3) Work hard on maintaining the focuses during my LSDs. I’d love to hear other ideas. Help!

Training between marathons

2012-10-24T19:15:42Z

I recently completed my first marathon using ChiRunning/ChiMarathon. I want to run another marathon in about 6 months.

My question is this: how best to train in this time between marathons before I begin to train focused on the next marathon? My goals for the next marathon are, in order of importance, 1) to finish feeling good with “gas in the tank”, 2) to finish injury-free, 3) to improve ChiRunning form and 4) to perhaps improve my time over the last marathon.

During this interim time, should I…
- work on speed much?
- continue with long runs (over 15 miles)?
- focus mostly on aerobic training and maintaining that base?
- do what “feels right” as far as how I structure each day’s run? or follow a specific plan? I’m wondering about eChi.

So I’m just reaching out for advice on how best to proceed.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Stacy

First Chi Marathon - success! Except found weakness in my technique

2012-10-22T09:32:42Z

My first marathon which i ran in last fall was a painful 5:36 H disaster. I picked up Chi running this spring and put it to the test yesterday at the Bay State Marathon in Lowell, MA.

Results: I finished in 4:36 H. I tribute most of this to Chi running.

Did it all go well? Everything was going very well until my QUADS stiffened up at about mile 20. Unfortunately, my last 6 miles was pretty painful. But it was very much isolated to my quads. I discovered this weakness during training runs. It manifested itself as tight quads during descents. I have read that one possible cause is using the quad to lift the leg.

Does anyone have any tips for solving this form defect?

starting marathon training but long run already 10 miles

2012-10-15T18:26:15Z

I’m starting my marathon training and have looked at my training calendar. I am already at a base of 10 miles for my LSD, should I keep at 10 miles until I get to 10 miles on my calendar and then increase at that pace, or should I drop back to 5 as my calendar indicates is my current LSD. Also, can I move my runs around? I’ve got a workshop all weekend so I plan on doing my LSD tomorrow. Anyone else move their runs around?