The Pose (Read 1858 times)

www.ChiaRunning.com

LOL!!

Jake, Careful about using Jim Furyk (or Ray Floyd for you old school golf fans) as an example. His swing is perfect in the area where it matters most - that is the area about 6 inches prior to contact and 6 inches after contact. At that point his swing is in the ideal position. The rest is certainly not immaterial but more personal in nature. You can see this by reviewing slow motion images of Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Payne Stewart or any of the greats. BTW- just because I mimic Ben Hogan won't mean I will play like him - too many other varialbles but I can improve by using his instruction and form. Here is a general question - is there an ideal form for a basketball shooter, a golfer, a pole vaulter, a baseball pitcher, a swimmer, a figure skater, a martial artist, or fill in your sport. If the answer to this is yes, then peharps the answer is yes for running as well. It may not lead to Olympic or high level performance but merely an inacrease above the average for the average runner. Without being too grating - its just another way to try and improve and there are lots of other theories out there trying to do the same. As in anything - some proponents take it to fanatic levels. For me I have seen some results, but like I said before - from a scientific point of view I can not attribute all of it to one single thing.

I laugh when I think about "ideal form" after watching DS 15 run. He looks so funny! But he just took third place in the state meet in the mile and two-mile, so I keep my mouth shut. I do wonder if a coach will try to change his form at some point!

It CAN be useful to tinker with form, especially if you are looking for small gains. I think that the most important aspect of form is the ability to run relaxed; when I'm tired at the end of a race, I have a tendency to tense my shoulders. Practicing relaxing them in training has helped me run smoother and stronger. My sense is that a good coach can identify these spots of tension and the runner can work to relax them. I would be skeptical, however, of overhauling your form unless you can identify a specific problem: looking ugly, and "heel striking" don't count. Much better than trying to run with any particular form is practicing running relaxed and confident--and paying attention to the small things that keep you from doing so.

Good points. I would like to see more scientific evidence as well. The issue is pretty tough to really develop. First, what is it you want to know - improved running efficiency (I've seen this subject debated ad naseum with more ideas than quaker has oats), faster pace (directly impacted by conditioning), lower injury rate (could be any number reasons additional to form change), something else. Lets take a normal study process. You need a test and control group. If you are an elite runner training for whatever, is this change something you will undertake? I really can't see that happening. So we are forced to use good non elite runners, average runners and back of the pack types. Again, to do this correctly would require a well structured study and comparative analysis over a long period. Not impossible but certainly difficult. Alternately, how do you eliminate the possible gains made simply by running more. Not sure. This is most likely why a scientific analysis has been lacking or hard to come by. The couple of scientific studies I've read (one for and one against) seem to lack the totality needed for numerous reasons. I seriously doubt Chi would do this as it is more holistic in approach. Pose tries to get the scientific side but there are some holes. So I'm left to do my personal study with a sample size of 1 and no control group. That's why I said before, I can't/won't soley say it is the reason for my improvement as there are too many moving parts. Intellectual honesty prohibits me from claiming otherwise. I do like the confirmation of some of the basic ideas via other great coaches and top runners (light feet, flats, land under your body, high cadence......) and positive mental outlook is good for any sport to at least keep you trying/engaged. There are zealots on all sides that fully drink the kool-aid and that does not always help to move the discussion forward. As humans are involved, there is no One single best way as we are all built and perform differently. Perhaps some have forgotten or neglected this bit of data. Ultimately I run for the sheer enjoyment and can't do this if I'm hurt. So that is where my journey began and currently is paying dividends. I'm running a 10k this weekend (first in over 8 months) and will see how this holds up in a race setting. Perhaps I will have a good story to tell. Either way I will always continue to look for a more efficient running form that keeps me on the road and talk with other runners that have ideas or experiences to share.

Run hills. It's running-specific strength training. Run fast. Do strides during easy runs, and occasional fast 200m-ish reps with full recovery. Focus on staying fast, controlled, and relaxed. These two things will improve your form and running economy more effectively and safely than any conscious decision to alter your form.

And for the record HEEL STRIKING IS NOT BAD. In fact, it is no better or worse than any other type of foot strike. It is no faster, it is no more efficient, it is no more economical than a mid- or forefoot strike. OVERSTRIDING is bad.

Are you sure about this. Re read what you wrote and tell me if you are sure about it. If you are, go sprint a 100m as fast as you can barefooted preferably while heel striking. If you are still convinced then OK I will not argue with you.

I think that the most important aspect of form is the ability to run relaxed; when I'm tired at the end of a race, I have a tendency to tense my shoulders. Practicing relaxing them in training has helped me run smoother and stronger.

Amen!! I could not agree more. That's why I constantly remind myself to relax my jaw, hands and shoulders during the late astges of a race. If they are relaxed, the rest of the body follows suit.