Run for the Rest of Your Life
By helping you stay injury-free, ChiRunning makes it possible for you to continue reaping the benefits of running as you get older. ChiRunning also makes running something to look forward to, which means you'll be more likely to do it consistently.
It can take time to learn to move in a new way, but you're worth the investment. On your next run, practice these ChiRunning basics to get started:
? Lengthen your spine and engage your core muscles. Stand tall and engage your abs like you're doing a very tiny crunch forward. Keep your lower back and glutes relaxed.
? Lean forward slightly from the ankles. Add a little lean to speed up; lean less to slow down. Be sure not to bend at the waist, and keep your lower legs relaxed.
? Use a metronome to regulate your cadence. Experiment using a metronome on runs. Set it at a cadence of 170 to 180 steps per minute (counting both feet). Notice what a consistent cadence and shorter stride does to your running form.
? Relax. Relax everything but your core muscles, and allow your lean to move you forward.
Sign up for your next race.
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About the Author
Danny Dreyer is the creator of ChiRunning? and ChiWalking?, revolutionary forms of moving that blend T'ai Chi with running and walking. ChiRunning and ChiWalking by Danny and Katherine Dreyer are No. 1 sellers with over 350,000 copies sold. Chi Marathon hits shelves March 2012. The ChiRunning app is now available for iPhone and Android. As an accomplished ultra marathoner, Danny speaks at prestigious wellness events across the country. He has taught training groups, including the AIDS Marathon and Team in Training and USA/FIT. Danny, along with more than 180 Certified Instructors, holds capacity-filled clinics around the world. Danny's lifestyle is steeped in holistic living, meditation, and personal wellness and is the foundation of what he teaches.
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