Chirunning workshop Leeds June 6th - General running

Len 2 (I'm a girl)

18/05/2010 at 11:50

As the title suggests - i'm looking at going to a Chirunning workshop on June 6th in Leeds. It's £100 per person, or a 10% discount for more than one, so I wondered if anyone who was interested wanted to save a tenner and book together?

Mr. Majestic

18/05/2010 at 16:38

I've got some old rope for sale.

Anyone?

Wej

19/05/2010 at 14:31

I have some eggs and can provide detailed training on what to do with them, particularly if you are female and your son or daughter has kids.

Len 2 (I'm a girl)

19/05/2010 at 14:35

Oh thanks - really useful. Nothing like a bit of support on the forum, is there?

Intermanaut

19/05/2010 at 15:10

This was the first time I've heard of it, so I had a quick google. £100 seems steep for something that's got foundations in Wu, but I can appreciate how coaching in better technique might be useful. It would, however, help if there was any real evidence to support the claims its founder is making. Without that it's just homeopathy...

Dr.Dan

19/05/2010 at 15:19

A lot of folk could do with sorting out their form ...

I'm in Leeds and interested in running form ... but £90 is still too steep.

Good luck and enjoy.

Shoes smell like horse piss

19/05/2010 at 15:53

I've been to a Chi Running Workshop with Sarah and Bridget who run it. There is plenty of evidence to support good running form and many runners don't know what good running form is. Whether it comes under the banner of Chi Running, Pose running or Evolution Running, it doesn't really matter (there are slight differences, or emphasis between these), it does all ruuners good to understand about posture, foot placement, correct lean etc, especially those runners who do marathons, as good running form = more efficient running, and probably less injuries.

I do recommend this workshop, not because I know Sarah and Bridget, but because I've attended one, researched 'good running form' generally and have benifitted personally from it.

They video you running from different angles...be prepared to be shocked at how badly you run!

Edited: 19/05/2010 at 15:54

PhilPub

19/05/2010 at 15:58

Hywel Jenkins wrote (see)

Without that it's just homeopathy...

I hear what you're saying about 'wu' but I think the homeopathy comparison is unfair. Homeopathy can only possibly 'work' via the placebo effect. I don't know much about chi running but as far as I know it is based on making real changes to your running technique. As to whether these changes work (in preventing injury or whatever), and whether it's worth paying £90 to find out is another matter, but it's not like anyone's just waving a crystal over your foot. (Are they??)

Edited: 19/05/2010 at 15:59

Intermanaut

19/05/2010 at 16:20

The book is about a tenner. Go for that.

I think the comparison against homeopathy is reasonably fair - both make health claims and neither provide supporting evidence.

Len 2 (I'm a girl)

19/05/2010 at 16:56

Thanks Hywel. I've got the book and I'm already attempting to apply some of the principles. I started looking into it as my physio has had enough of me already

. I know my core needs work, and something centred around good posture seemed like a top idea. And I'm struggling to know whether I'm doing it right or not. Hence the workshop looking useful. Yes £90 is expensive, but for a whole day's tuition it's not too bad. I pay my hairdresser a third of that for a lot less work lol!

Am disappointed at some of the replies though. I shouldn't be surprised at how dismissive and rude some people can be, especially when it's just an average runner trying to overcome injuries by improving their form, but I am. I find it sad.

Farnie

pirate

19/05/2010 at 17:04

I went to the half day one and I wish I had done the full day. I had read the book and understood it, but there is nothing like another person watching you (and in this case videoing you to provide feedback)

I wonder if HJ hasnever had any coaching and benefitted from it?

hmmm

Len 2 (I'm a girl)

19/05/2010 at 17:11

Thanks Farnie. Although being videoed and watching myself run sounds very scary! But then I'm clearly doing something to keep getting injured....!
It's good to hear feedback from you and dibbers that it's worth doing.
x

Shoes smell like horse piss

19/05/2010 at 17:18

YorksLass: And I'm struggling to know whether I'm doing it right or not

That is the key.

Beleive me, what you think you run like is often very different to how you actually run. These workshops take you through all the necessarry body sensing techniques and hands-on advice.

I also do Pilates, and that too teaches you correct posture and body awareness. We often think that how we move is perfectly natural, when actually we're badly unbalanced due to years of bad habbits and poor posture.

If you're interested in improving your running over and above the 'power' running mindset; trying to run harder/faster/longer, then it will be money well spent.

Intermanaut

19/05/2010 at 17:21

@Farnie - no, I haven't. Unless there's evidence for it (indepently verified) or someone else is paying, I'm not interested, regardless of what it is. I don't make decisions based on anecdotal opinion. I know I won't like the taste of dog crap, but I've never eaten that.

@YorkLass - people would have been more supportive if you'd chosen something that isn't based on Wu. Even people who believe in Chi reckon DD has a poor undertanding of it.

I have a collection of rocks that keep dinosaurs away. Anyone want one? They're £15 inc P&P.

Farnie

pirate

19/05/2010 at 17:21

Another vote for pilates here too

All of the people who did pilates 'got' the Chi running quicker

Farnie

pirate

19/05/2010 at 17:23

Hywel Jenkins wrote (see)

@Farnie - no, I haven't. Unless there's evidence for it (indepently verified) or someone else is paying, I'm not interested, regardless of what it is. I don't make decisions based on anecdotal opinion. I know I won't like the taste of dog crap, but I've never eaten that.

There's no evidence for training?

For someone having another objective on your running form?

OK....

*stands back to listen to HJ's coaching/running credentials*

Wej

19/05/2010 at 17:31

Currently there is no definitive scientific proof that either Chi or barefoot running improves performance or reduces injuries, although there is plenty of anecdotal evidence. I'm very tempted to take it up myself (as I have PF which *may* be improved by barefoot running) but if I do, I'm not going to pay £100 or £90 for it, not without some sort of guarantee.

As far as my earlier comment was concerned I was attempting (badly) to be humorous, but seemingly it was a 'leave your humour gland at home day' today

Cake

pirate

19/05/2010 at 17:38

I wouldn't pay £90 for this ever but that's just because wouldn't pay £90 for a workshop. Try and play nicely please can't we all get alone, if Yorks wants to go and you don't just don't go, no need to be rude.

Len 2 (I'm a girl)

19/05/2010 at 17:39

HJ - whether I believe in the "Chi" element of it or not is largely irrelevant. I've read the book and can clearly see that the approach in terms of posture and form would be an improvement on what I have been doing up til now (running upright, heel striking, getting injured a lot). Is it because of Chi or just common sense? I couldn't care less if it works. And there's plenty of people who will confirm that it worked for them, so I'm willing to try it.

I don't make decisions based on anecdotal evidence. I'm a scientist and far too sensible for that. But I'm willing to take it into consideration. I think you're missing out on a vast amount of available information if you don't ask around and see what other people thought. I do that before I make major purchases so why shouldn't I do that when it comes to my running? If we didn't all ask for the opinions of others, this forum wouldn't exist.

DD may have a poor understanding of Chi, but he does seem to have a very good understanding of running. That'll do for me.

Intermanaut

19/05/2010 at 17:40

@Farnie - "stands back to listen to HJ's coaching/running credentials" Brilliant! What's that got to do with it? All I've said that the whole Chi Running things is based on grounds short of evidence - anyone, runner or not, with a scientific mind could come to the same conclusion: show the evidence and I'll believe it.

My running credentials are probably better than yours. I started running 30 years ago, then did nothing between leaving school and three years ago, when I did my first marathon in 3h46 (two years ago, when I was 38) - while carrying my own water around the hilly Herefordshire country side. 1m PB is 5'27. 5km is 18'1. 10km is 36'54. No injuries, apart from sore nipples and some mild chafing caused by my Camelback.

Now, do you want one of my rocks or not?