Chi Living Love Letters - Triathlons

A Successful Finish - World Ironman

2012-10-26T15:52:54+00:00

Dear Danny,

Having successfully finished the World Ironman Championships in Kona Hawai'i just a few days ago, I wanted to express my deepest gratitude to you.

Thank you for bringing Chi Running into this world. I would not have been able to reach the ultimate goal for all triathletes without you!

For this reason, I decided to wear your Chi Running cap on race day and through the finish line.

If I can be of any assistance in promoting the Chi Running technique, please let me know.

Best regards from
Alexander-Maximilian

61 and Registerd to Chi Run 4th Ironman

2011-09-22T13:02:50+00:00

Hi Danny,

I hope all is well. I wanted to give you a little update. As you know, I have been a Chi Running devotee for the last few years. I continue to "hold my butterflies", "peel my postage stamps" and "ride my unicycle."

I turned 61 this year and enjoy terrific health and maintain a very high level of fitness. Through my involvement with endurance events, Total Immersion, and Chi Running I have become fascinated with one's ability to maintain a high level of fitness as they age. Dating back to my third Ironman in July, 2010, I have PRed in every race I have entered.

On Saturday I finished second in my age group in a local 5K going under 26 minutes for the first time in a long, long time. I remember writing you a couple of years ago and telling you of my goal to run a sub-nine minute mile. You were both supportive and encouraging. Imagine my delight on Saturday as I passed the one-mile mark and heard my time-7:54!

Thank you again for all you do for so many,

Michael

PS-
Next month I'll be side by side with my wife Nancy, another Chi Running devotee, as she competes in her first half marathon. Next year I'll be back in Lake Placid for my forth Ironman - this time with our 18 year old daughter, Jane.

Lost Weight and Got Hooked on Chi Running, Racing and the Triathlon Lifestyle

2011-08-11T16:59:39+00:00

I saw that you were asking for Chi Running transformations by middle-age women. At 43, I guess I qualify as middle-age (although I don't feel like it). I struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember and was a classic yo-yo dieter. Even though I was athletic as a kid, my level of activity declined over time and I found myself in the familiar cycle of crash dieting and then gaining all the weight back plus some. Things got really bad during law school and even worse after having my 3 kids. My weight ballooned to over 200 lbs. and long after the last of my kids was born in 2005, I could no longer call it baby weight. Despite having a great career and a thriving family, I was tired all the time and generally miserable. Finally, in 2008, I had enough of feeling sluggish and unhealthy. I signed up for a boot camp in January 2008 and haven't looked back since. Chi Running came into my life later that year. Once I had lost enough weight to feel like I could try running, I knew I had to learn how to run safely. I had always wanted to run, but in the past, I was unsuccessful in any attempt I made to start a running program. I ended up getting injured every time. This time I approached things smarter - I started with the Couch to 5K program and successfully worked up to running that distance. I completed my first race ever in June 2008, the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge with many others from my company. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. I followed that achievement with my first triathlon in September 2008. I was officially hooked on running, racing and the triathlon lifestyle!

I felt a burning desire to run longer distances, but as I tried to build up my weekly mileage, things started going wrong. I ended up with lower leg injuries that sidelined me for weeks. I knew there must be a better way. I learned about Chi Running through a friend who did triathlons and I took a Chi Running class with Master Instructor Vince Vaccaro in October 2008. The concepts made so much sense to me and immediately, I started seeing improvements in my running. I ran my first 10K race in November 2008 with a time that was 5 minutes faster than I would have predicted. As I continued running, I had occasional setbacks along the way, but Vince was always there to help me get through the challenges (via email or in person). Vince inspired me with his own long distance achievements and supported me as I trained for my first marathon, which I completed in November 2010. I am looking forward to running my second marathon later this year.

When my company started a triathlon team, I asked Vince to teach Chi Running to the whole team. As a result, several of the team members have fully embraced Chi Running. I continue to “preach” the virtues of Chi Running to all my running (or wishful running) friends and have encouraged others to learn more about it. Vince is always willing to give his time and energy to help anyone who asks. Many, many people are running better because of his generous spirit.

I can’t express in words how grateful I am for the gift of Chi Running. Over the last couple of years, I have come to see Chi Running as more than a technique for running better or for injury prevention. Chi Running is a way of thinking and being that has a tremendous impact way beyond the time I spend running. I am much more in tune with my body and I have come to recognize the strength of the inner energy within me. I draw upon my Chi at times of stress and use the principles of Chi Running to guide me in my daily life. As a busy working mom of 3 with a demanding job, I have many opportunities to practice calling upon my Chi every day!

I've attached a before/after picture to show you how I looked in 2007, and how I looked at the Pensacola Marathon in late 2010. Although it pains me to see my “before” picture, I hope my story will inspire others to consider ChiRunning and start on the journey that I have made. Chi Running played a large part in my transformation and has changed the course of my life for the better.

Wendy R.

Life transformed by Chi Running

2010-11-02T07:00:04+00:00

Wow, I feel so amazing after my run this morning! I used to HATE running, only put up with it because I love biking and swimming and tolerated running to do Triathlon.

I always used to finish in the bottom quartile running and this always took me out of the hunt for an age group trophy in triathlon because of my weak running.

Well I did 2 triathlons this summer and finished second in my age group in one and 3rd in my age group in the other! What a thrill to hear my name called out and go up and get my trophy. THANKS TO CHI RUNNING!

After watching the DVD for about a hundred times I finally was able to put into practice what I had been watching. This morning my legs felt so light and I ran effortlessly thanks to me focusing on my hip rotation and just relaxing enough to let my legs follow along for the ride! I felt like a rock star! My cadence was up where it should be and it was just effortless!

Hills used to KILL me, and I mean KILL me! Now the hills that I used to struggle so much with are BARELY noticed by me! Please read that again, this in not an exaggeration.

What's even more exciting is that I have no pain and I get up every day looking forward to learning something new from my Chi Running. I have had so many breakthroughs with my running this year it is really life transforming for me.

I have continued to improve my running this fall/ winter thanks to Chi Running and learning to relax! I used to clench every muscle when I ran thinking this was what I had to do! Now just holding my column and focusing on my core rotation with right amount of lean for my gear, my legs have never felt lighter.

Thanks for allowing me to share this with you. I am FOREVER indebted to Danny and Chi Running, I hope that I can meet you one day and say thanks personally.

Sincerely,

Dean C.

Age 50 Age Grouper, Lifelong learner

2nd email: In response to Danny Dreyer's email to thank Dean for his story.

Danny;
A real boost to get your email ...

Even a year ago (and I've been following Chi for at least 4 years now and getting incremental benefits from it along the way), this was not possible for me, it was that hip thing and the legs coming along for the ride which just blew me away when I got in that groove and is my reason for writing. I really felt like I was running like you in the DVD, at least that's what it felt anyway! What a pleasure and totally a 180 from my running my entire life up until now, having just turned 50 this year.

My background is basketball and I was so used to being tensed up all the time because of all the combat that goes on under the goal! Relaxing is totally new territory for me while running and it has dropped my power consumption by a huge margin and, wow, it has become a joy and something I look forward to every day!

Again, thank you for your email ...

Dean C.

Age 50 Age Grouper, Lifelong learner

No knee pain with form focus and workshop!

2010-10-29T05:00:43+00:00

Hi Amy (Certified ChiRunning Instructor, Charlotte, NC),

I was able to complete my half-ironman triathlon with no knee pain, and even finished it within the eight hours! No knee pain the next two days, either. I did the run in about 2 ½ hours, focusing on form and not speed, as you suggested, and it worked for me! So, thank you for your help. Your suggestions about balance probably helped also, as it rained during the bike event, and I had no road-rash. Kudos for your class, and for your extra comments after!

Greg S.

Chi Running and delighted with extraordinary results

2010-08-28T05:00:19+00:00

A few years ago when I started running again after a 20 year hiatus, the shin splints that plagued me in high school returned. I spoke with a cousin of mine from San Francisco who recommended Chi Running. She talked about Danny’s mindful and scientific approach to low impact and efficient running. After reading the Chi Running book and practicing Chi Running, I was delighted with extraordinary results. After two months of practice, I no longer had shin splints. Every run became a practice that contributed to better running and better living. Coupled with Terry Laughlin’s Total Immersion swimming practice, I enjoy triathlons on levels I never thought possible. I love running and swimming more now than I ever did – they’re no longer a means to an end but joyful practices. I am truly blessed with the lessons I have learned from Danny Dreyer, Terry Laughlin, several exceptional Yoga instructors, and my training partner Nell.

Sal

First Half Ironman with Chi Running

2010-08-09T05:00:52+00:00

I just completed my first half ironman. I am 54 and obese and it took me a bit over 12 hours to finish. However, I completed the half marathon part in slightly under 5 hours completely relaxed. People were teasing me because I didn't look tired. I had the best race. It was like a dream because I didn't hurt at all in my legs, just a bit sore in my shoulders from the bike and swim. I applied Chi Running principles to all my sports and the focuses helped me get through a few weak feelings. So I guess I get the award for the slowest athlete, but at least I am healthy and ready to train some more.

Then, about a week later, I was running up a hill and I did not know an obese woman was watching me. She came to me after my run and asked how I could get up the hill so easily and I referred her to your book and DVD which I just happened to have in the car. It feels so good to show people that you can exercise no matter what you look like.

I am reviewing my book and DVD to help me with my form until I can get back with an instructor this Fall.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Susan D.