Because of an old ankle injury that tends to swell when I run, I've become a faithful walker. Yesterday, I walked four miles in an hour . . . I'm not up to marathon standards but I am feeling so good and so fit and, best of all, so pain free.  

Lynn has been walk/running faithfully, and mixing this up with really vigorous weight training because he is still building professionally and needs his core, shoulder, and leg strength for daily work as well as the benefits of increased aerobic capacity. He looks wonderful and feels awesome.

All in all, we are doing very well thanks to your amazing Chi Wisdom.

Please pass our love along to Katherine and the Chi Living team.

Jane's fingers, both our hearts

I had one of those "magical" runs Saturday over the Ben Franklin Bridge and back. I covered 12 miles and felt like I could have gone forever. Twice in the past few weeks, I've set out to run 7 or 8 miles and would up end going 11 or 12. It struck me it was high time to check back in as you requested in 2009 when I wrote to you (see below) to thank you for the work you and Danny so carefully developed and made accessible to hobbled and frustrated runners (like me).  I read the book in September of 2009, put a few focuses into practice, and was ecstatic about how much better my running flowed. I'm a slow learner in some ways, so the point made repeatedly in the book, that internalizing the Chi form is a practice, that one never really gets it "done" is certainly true for me. Even after all this time - and a one-day workshop and a private lesson -- my former "power runner" still lurks when I get tired or mentally lazy. That said, not only am I still running, I've run 4 half marathons in the past calendar year - most recently with my 28-year old daughter (see photo attached). They've been enjoyable and my recovery has been super speedy. The old knee issues? Not a twinge!

There aren’t enough words to thank you. I thought the next best thing would be to touch base to let you know that I'm still plugging away out here (30 pounds lighter), pelvis leveling, column-izing, and arguing (sometimes audibly) with my lower legs to be cotton for crying out loud!

I just signed up for your online marathon program and I'm really excited to get started!

Marilyn

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   

Hope you're well. You have always been so supportive of my progress in both the workshops I have attended and through your emails.

In July, I completed my 4th IMLP (Ironman Lake Placid). This one was especially cool because my 18 year old daughter, Jane, was doing her first IM. After the race we decided to take 2013 and work on getting faster and doing shorter races with particular emphasis on running.

Last year at a local 5K, I did the first mile in 7:54 and commented on how cool it was to see a sub-8 after all these years trying to break 9 minutes.

Fast forward one year. I raced this morning. That 7:54 in the first mile was a 7:40 this year, and the sub-26 min. pace was replaced by a sub-25 min. finish. My 24:49 this morning was a 7:59 pace and a 2nd place AG finish. You told me last year I could go even faster. You were right! Holding butterflies, peeling postage stamps, proper posture, riding the unicycle. It all works.

At 62 I've just decided to speed up,
Michael B.

I feel fortunate that Curt Munson, owner of Playmaker's in Okemos, Michigan, introduced me to Chi Running in 2006.  I have considered myself a Chi Runner ever since; running injury free since then.

I'm not sure I can express the depth of my sincerity when I say I am a rabid Chi Runner   When I decided to run the 2012 Chicago Marathon, I decided to train using your Chi Marathon training program.  The new book is awesome, and I have recommended it to many of my running friends.

The information contained in Chi Marathon is nothing short of magical.  Every page, every chapter seemed to hit the mark.  I understand much of the material was presented in the first book, but for some reason it all came together with greater clarity in Chi Marathon, and each week I found myself improving my form, my pace... and my enjoyment and confidence.

My Chicago Marathon experience on Oct. 7th was the best I could have hoped for.  I am 62 years old, and ran my first marathon @ age 55.  Since then I have run 25+ half marathons, many 5K's and 2012 Chicago was my 5th marathon.  Until Chicago, I have never been able to break 5 hours; nor finish my marathons feeling good.  Since 2006 I have been obscessed with reaching my goal of "anything under 4:59:59".

For Chicago I downloaded Podrunner music with a 180bpm tempo.  The music kept me totally focused on form, lean, footstrike, relaxing, and conserving energy.  I sailed to the finish feeling fresh in 4:54:56.  I could have run further, and a little faster.  I had minimal soreness post race, and comfortably ran 3 days later.  I haven't been able to wipe the smile of my face since.  Thank you for such a wonderful gift. The Chi Running technique is truly revolutionary, and I thank you for sharing it.

Cheryl Hansen

I'm happy to report there were no major surprises and we were able to complete 2 full marathons over a 5 week period with no injuries or significant ill effects. We didn't go without having a few bad training runs, but we were prepared for that to happen. As a "mature" runner (age 52), I also found I needed to limit myself to to 3 runs per week to avoid over-training, but kept my long-slow-distance run at pretty much full recommended distance and pace (peaking in the 22-24 mile range).

My partner Susan (also a Chi Running "Believer") and I ran the City of Oaks Marathon (Raleigh, NC) on Nov. 11th. I was able to finish my first marathon mid-pack for my age group, at about 4:25 (Susan had done several marathons before). I was pleased that I finished feeling strong and completed the 2nd half of the race faster than the first half. Five weeks later on Dec. 10th, we ran the Kiawah Island marathon in S.C. in about 4:30. After each race, I was admittedly a little sore, but had no problem comfortably completing a 3 or 4 mile run within 72 hours of completing each of the marathons. I really thought recovery time would be much longer.

Two or three years ago, I was struggling to finish a 5k. The Chi Running technique has made an amazing difference for me. We're now enjoying some time off from race-specific training, but would really miss our 3-runs-a-week if we didn't get them in. We're not expecting to break any course records but it feels great to be fit and it's a great feeling to now have the confidence to be able to complete just about any race.

The picture is of Susan and me from the Kiawah Island Marathon. Thanks again for Chi Running and Happy New Years!

Best Regards,
Alan M.
Durham, NC 

Click Here to Read the Beginning of Alan's Story!

Resources to help you master the Chi Running basics:

• Chi Running Book: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless Injury-Free Running
• Chi Running DVD: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless Injury-Free Running

I tried to take it easy and prevent injury. Still, I managed to beat my prior half marathon time by 43 minutes and win an age award. I felt I was running as well as I ever have in my life even though I didn't beat my best time record, which I ran on a flat course. Only two of the 1200 persons that signed up for the course were older than me. I used all of the Chi advanced techniques for running the hills and felt great at the end of the race. I came in strong and felt I could continue to run. I did a 7 mile fun run today and signed up for two more half marathons before the end of the year.

Malcolm C., Michigan

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.