Feeling Good Training

Lovely article about feeling one's run and training. ie. focus on a feel-good session. Not by lounging or slacking. But by being fitter and less fatigue. And the way to the get there is by hard work. Yes, the paradoxical simultaneous existence of pleasure and pain.

http://running.competitor.com/2010/08/training/feel-good-training_12639

"Your mind receives a million times more relevant information about how your body is doing than some silly gadget like a heart rate monitor."

"the most enjoyable runs you experience are not easy runs but very challenging ones that happen to fall on days when your body feels up to the challenge. In running, you can experience pleasure and suffering simultaneously."


I totally identify with that. On reflection, all the runs and races that were memorable were those that were tough but enjoyable.

Shuffle Shorter Strides

I've been experimenting with a new running form and technique. Well, not entirely new, just that I have not been consciously taking note of my posture and landing.

The articles below are similar to what Gino taught me - a 'falling' run.

http://peakperformance.runnersworld.com/2010/08/aug-24-new-study-reports-that-shorter-strides-can-have-many-benefits.html

http://peakperformance.runnersworld.com/2010/08/aug-19-running-form-center-of-gravity-overstriding-impact-transients-and-where-to-put-your-front-foot.html


Our knees and joints will thank us for those shorter stride lengths, higher stride rate (ie. cadence).

Shuffle along, shuffle. :)

Pain-free Run

I went for Gino's running clinic this evening. It was useful, because he ran alongside with us and pointed out our mistakes, postures and so forth. The idea was similar to Chi Running, falling from one's ankles, and to have that 'falling' feeling throughout the run. Landing was on the whole foot/sole, rather than heels or too much forefoot/ tiptoeing - which kills our calves. We wanted to let the big muscle groups absorb the impact of the every landing step, and not our joints. Think of the cartoon, LoadRunner, whose legs spin very fast, behind one's body. Not overly high knees, which kills our quads.

Ok, a laundry list of things to remember.... :)

Core oh Core

Did a short slow 1h run with some friends this evening. Again, trying to get my form correct. It was hard hard work holding up the core. I was not breathing deeply enough. The tendency for inexperienced me was to hold my breath and/or core, and then breath shallowly. Which meant that I would have suffocated or tired out myself through lack of oxygen over a long duration.

Hmmm..... how to hold a tight core for 7h of running?

Core Running

I went for another test run this evening around Canterbury. I did some light stretching before heading out. The air was cool after a day's rainfall, but my mind was too focused and conscientious over my knee to notice the surroundings.

The first 12min to Hort Park traffic junction went ok. I briefly massaged my knee while waiting for the light. Moving on into Canterbury estate, there was some lower patella pain, especially on the downslopes.

I experimented with the running technique, very mindful to use what Gino showed me - lean & fall forward, tuck in core and use core to run. Gino also explained that that allowed our big muscle groups like quads and hamstrings to absorb the impact of running, rather than our knee joints. To my surprise, when I deliberately sucked in my core and elongated my spine, the pain in my knee lessened. My footsteps landings were also lighter on the downslope. Just to exaggerate, I relaxed my core and sort of dropped my hip. I could feel my steps heavier with more stomping. On the downhill in particular, holding in my core, body upright naturally led to a 'perky' butt position which minimised the impact of downslope braking. Wow! In comparison, if the core is not held, my pelvic drops and each landing resonated up my leg. Hmmm, interesting observation.

Finished the run. The magic 1h!! Yes!!

I continued with another 40min of stretching and conditioning in the gym. *fingers crossed*