Change your life in just one hour per day by building a business and plotting your exit from cubicle-land.
 |
1. On page 104, Robillard suggests that “a necklace can be a handy training tool. As you run, the necklace should remain more or less stationary around you neck. If it bounces up and down, you are probably over striding. If it sways side to side, your upper body is moving too much or your arms are moving across your body.” I love this simple way to tell if you’re running with the correct form. Unless I have someone following me who is trained in critiquing running form, how would I know if I was doing it correctly? I might feel as though I am running efficiently, but, on my own, I am always uncertain about the correct posture. A necklace! Simple as that.
2. You should practice running in short, quick strides. One way to train yourself to take short enough strides is to set a metronome to 180 beats per minute and keep pace. Reason being that shorter, softer, less vertical movement uses less energy than big vertical movements. Also it’s helpful to focus on lifting the foot versus landing. This way, you’re always thinking of elevating, creating lighter footing.
3. Robillard also offers another handy nugget about proper posture with this super simple exercise. Raise your hands over your head and stretch upward. The posture that this leaves you in is the best posture for running. I have routinely stopped myself on the treadmill when I have felt myself slumping and perform this exercise. It really brings awareness back to the correct body posture.
I have tried a little bit of barefoot running on my home treadmill. I can’t wait to try it out this summer on the sidewalk, as the ground is like permafrost right now in Wisconsin. That’s right–the sidewalk. Robillard emphasizes the efficiency of running on concrete. If you see a goofy blond running around sans shoes, now you’ll know the backstory.
And I’ll leave you with some handy resources reiterated several times throughout the book for further exploration:
Chi running
Kemme Fitness
Evolution Running
Good Form Running
Pose Method
Barefoot Running University: Robillard’s very own website
Have you jumped on the barefoot running train yet? Would you ever consider running barefoot?
Isn't this amazing? Born to run was a great book – I'll have to go and buy this one too.
I was thinking about getting a pair of barefoot running shoes, the kind without the toes because I don't like those, but I'm a little nervous for the initial impact.
I know it won't happen overnight, but I'm looking to transform!
Hey Cat, thanks for stopping by. Yes, I am truly fascinated by this. It seems the more you look at minimalist running, the more apparent it becomes that it is really the way we were meant to run.
The book recommends starting very slowly and building up your tolerance to it.
This is so interesting! I'd heard a small bit about running barefoot, this makes me want to learn more. I'm not a very experienced runner, so it also sounds like it gives good tips to those of us wary about our posture, etc. Awesome post!
P.S. I found the "follow" widget, haha! I can't believe it didn't put it on my page!
Thanks Tiffani! I can't wait to try this more in the summer. I've tried a little bit on the treadmill, but I know it will be different outside. Glad the posture tips helped you. I found them so simple yet so helpful. I am coming over to your blog to subscribe right now.