Home
The Faulty Flipper
Lest We Forget - Widths

I had forgotten . . . about Widths.

Read more...
 
Barefoot Running

Another bright idea - barefoot running.

We were built to run barefooted. We wore shoes to keep the feet warm and to protect them.

Barefoot, we run naturally on the balls of the feet. The whole running system in the legs works with the muscles taking whatever strain is involved. 

Put shoes with firm soles on, and it becomes impossible to run on the balls of your feet. Instead you are pushed to heelstriking. The immediate consequences are plantar fasciitis (that horrible pain under the heel of the foot when you step out of bed in the morning), shin splints, and achilles problems - and probably many other things I have not personally (yet) suffered.

I have been running with a mid sole strike. My own shoes work for this (almost), but immediately I land on my heel, I can feel them beginning to work as they were intended. It is just not the way I want to run.

When I began running (confession time) I ran up and down our hall. It is not particularly long - about 17 strides - but it was adequate at the time.

Links

http://runningbarefoot.org/

and

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1170253/The-painful-truth-trainers-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html 

How to make your minimalist sole/shoes - http://barefootted.com/MakeHuaraches.pdf 

For a bit of science:

 http://sportsci.org/jour/0103/mw.htm

 Another new article

http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/sports/4314401.html?page=1 

 

 

 

 
Chi Running Course Program

Chi Running Full Day Workshop 

Programme

10.00

Welcome and introduction to the day

10.10

Participants introductions

  • Current running
  • Any injuries past or present
  • Knowledge of ChiRunning

10.25

Videoing - front, back and side views

10.55

Introduction to ChiRunning

11.05

Posture

11.55

Lean

12.10

Heel lift

12.25

Arm swing

12.40

Putting all the above into practice

1.30

Lunch Break

2.00

Watch video

2.45

Body looseners

3.00

Cadence, gears and stride length (including pelvic rotation)

3.30

Knee bending exercise

3.45

Incorporating techniques into everyday runs

Closing comments and questions

4.00

Finish

(All times approximate)

On the day of the workshop, it would be helpful if you could

Wear contrasting colours on top and bottom as this makes it easier to see if you are keeping your hips level

Bring a pair of running shoes suitable to use inside and a pair that you don’t mind getting dirty.

 
Run Easy - Run Injury Free

(Sorry, but this course has had to be cancelled. A further course may be laid on, and if you are interested, please contact David Swarbrick as shown below)

ChiRunning Course - Sunday April 19, 2009 

Run: 

  • More easily
  • With increased efficiency
  • Faster, and
  • With less injury?

ChiRunning is for you. Attend our one day ChiRunning course. The instructors are Bridget Barr and Sarah Tomlinson, accredited ChiRunning instructors.

ChiRunning is a revolutionary approach to effortless, injury free running developed by Danny Dreyer, US ultra marathon runner, and our instructors are accredited by ChiRunning. 

The cost is £95.00 for the day (10:00-16:00). Please see the day's program. Places are very limited to ensure that each course member receives appropriate individual attention. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

The course venue is Total Fitness at Wakefield Road, Tandem , Huddersfield , HD5 0AL (Adjacent to Morrisons). To book your place, please contact David Swarbrick, either on 0795 457 9992, or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Online entries will be available shortly.