Will Focus Help Me Run A Little Faster?

This entry was written on Nov 25, 2008 by our Running Guru Heidi Splete

I don't usually wear a watch during my weekday runs of 6 miles or so, but I usually glance at the clock before I leave and when I get back. I forgot to do that this morning, but I did somehow feel that I might have been running a bit faster, with less effort, as a result of trying to focus on some of the techniques of chi running, mainly leaning forward and thinking of making a circle motion with my arms and legs. If I want to be exact, I'll take my watch sometime in the next week, once I've had a few more days of experimenting with it. 

If you are curious about chi running, one point I want to make is that you shouldn't be intimidated. In particular, the element of chi running called "body sensing" will come naturally if you have ever taken a yoga class. It's the same concept of mindfullness and knowing where your body is in space that you tune in to when practicing yoga or some other meditation exercise. At least that's what it seemed like to me. On a similar note, posture is an essential element of both yoga and chi running, and it's important for overall health. If you have a desk job, it's easier than you think to develop "computer hunch," and it's important to think about posture periodically, whether while you are running, walking, or standing.

So, stand up straight, and spend a few minutes in the next day or so thinking about keeping your head and neck in line with your spine, and your shoulders away from your ears.