Anyone do Chirunning? - Shin splint sufferers look here

croggy

croggy

croggy

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I started reading this book as a last resort as I had ran out of options to cure my shin splints. My shin splints were pretty bad, three or four strides into a run and a sheering pain along my shin. I went to a run physio and she gave me insoles to give me extra support because I over pronated. These worked pretty well I could actually run somewhere in them but the pain was still there albiet about 75% less of what it was. I would just man up and try and run through it - bad idea.

I came across ChiRunning and I noticed the cover. 'A revolutionary approach to effortless, injury-free running'. I thought what the heck its only a fiver.

Honestly, after reading this and implementing leaning, lose muscles, pose etc. I can say its actually cured my leg. I really can't believe it. This book is my bible now, I take it everywhere just to re read the techniques etc. I can really recommend it to anyone if they suffer from a dehabilitating running injury! ** Im not advertiseing this book, this is genuine praise!**

Does anyone else do ChiRunning or has read it? It helped you? What did you think of it?
 
Its leaning forward when you run, from the ankles so you don't injure your back. Just like when you stand and you lean forward so far that you have to step forward? Its basically using mavity to pull you along. You basically keep lifting your legs to stop you falling and you move forward. It feels so natural, its awesome. When you do that you land midfoot when your running, taking the shock out your leg and you dont even use the muscle that causes shin splints at all!
 
So keep lifting your legs to stop you falling... a bit like what people usually do when runnng? :D

Just kidding... where does the chi come into it though?
 
Yeah I guess I was too upright and rigid. It takes like breathing exercises and stuff into it. Its more the philosophy side of chi is brought into running and I think it works great! Instead of power running, i.e. big muscles makes you a stronger runner etc it just breaks running down and shows you how to run efficiently and properly. Makes you run faster because its easier. Less injury because you don't tense your muscles (and you can't pull a relaxed muscle).

Instead of the motto 'No pain, no gain' The motto in the book is 'No pain, no pain'
 
Richdog said:
So er... how does this magical mystical chi-running work then, what's the science behind it?
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In my mind there's nothing magical or mystical behind it [chi running] or the pose method. Both are just names for 'ideal' running form. If you do enough running you'll work out what hurts and what doesn't and adjust your form accordingly. If you heel strike it's only common sense that you'll suffer more, but if you mid-foot strike you'll absorb more of the shock that causes some people problems and taking it further to forefoot you'll lessen the shock even more.

That said the further foward your strike the more emphasis you place on calf muscles, achilles etc.

I typically run with a midfoot strike, slight foward lean, try to keep hips level etc. and switch to forefoot strike when going for it.

So without ever reading up on chi running, pose etc. I more or less run as the methods prescribe.

If you aren't a natural runner it can take years to develop the techniques and I don't believe it's the magical cure that it promotes itself to be.

I say just do what works for you, which may not work for another.

Just my personal opinion of course. :)
 
Yeah theres nothing magical to it. I don't hum and ho and mediate over it. Its all about form, after reading it, Im not a natural runner thats why I got injured. It just allows me to get shown how to run properly and efficently. Anyone that runs any distance should have a read of it, theres so many little points and exercises and techniques im sure anyone would benefit at least something from it :)
 
i have under pronating feet and getting custom made insoles to help with this as running trainers aren't much of an option (hope it will fix the problem) when i have to run in boots.

Going to order this now worth a shot for a fiver or so cheers :D

although my physio told me when i asked him if there was any running techniques i could do to help the problem he said none for you as blabla. But i don't belive a lot of these health proffesionals know what they are talking about half the time other than measuring your feet and sending it off to a lab :D.
 
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Yeah, the book is all about form, it like shouts it to you. It tells you how to run in every different sort of situation. Let me no what you think of it when you get through it :)
 
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