So Saturday morning my friend from the gym and I attended a Chi Running class. The instructor had just become certified a few months ago, and so was still doing classes for free "to get the format down better."
Overall, I would say it was well worth it. He really emphasized posture. He had us (6 of us altogether) get with a partner and stand "normally." Then our partner would push us with their pinkie finger. Everybody was moving easily or nearly falling over. Then he had us get into the good posture (feet parallel and hip width apart, knees soft, pelvis straight across, sternum lifted, and neck elongated.) The pinkies could not move us then!
He also had us do some practice walking where all we did was lift our feet - no heel striking. By that time it was time for class to be over, so we didn't even get into running. That was disappointing, but still, it was worthwhile.
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Because I went to the Chi Running class, I missed my first 4 mile Long run with my training group. I definitely was not going to do the 4 miles AFTER the Chi Class (105 degrees + heat index.) So I waited until 10:30 Saturday night - while I was at my mom and stepdad's place. I didn't end up doing 4 miles though. They have a 1.5 mile route mapped out, so we all just went around twice. The second time around I would run ahead a bit, and then run back. So, I think I maybe got in 3.2 miles. I just didn't have it in me to do more after we finished that second loop. Oh yeah ... it was still 95 degrees out .. although it was dark.
This Saturday I'm supposed to do a 5 mile long run with my training group. I'm not quite sure how that's going to work .... I guess you could say I did 5 miles on the 4th (5k + 2 miles walking to and from the race) but that wasn't all at the same time. All I can do is try, right?
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Saturday night and Sunday night I woke up with the feeling like I was about to get a huge charley horse - only in my right top calf. I *hate* those. So I tried something that I thought was kind of silly -- but it actually worked. I concentrated very hard on NOT tensing up in anticipation of the pain ... and then breathed deeply and just repeated the word "relax." It still hurt, but it didn't cramp up!
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This weekend I stumbled across the idea of barefoot running. It kind of goes along with the Chi Running technique. It is supposed to really help you learn good form -- if you are running barefoot and heel striking, your body is going to *really* quickly tell you it is a BAD idea.
I'm looking at getting a Garmin 50 with the footpod so I can run in new places without having to worry about pre-measured routes. If I get this, then maybe on Tuesdays and Thursdays I will do a small portion of my easy runs barefoot. Like maybe 1/4 mile to start with for a few weeks.
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