Chi running?

fergalr

So there was an article on it in the Irish Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2009/0530/1224247393452.html?via=mr

where Catherina McKiernan talks about her courses.
Now, I'm sure her courses are very good - previous threads here indicated this was the case, and she clearly knows how to run.


I came across the Chi Running book on the web about 2 years ago, and I picked up the Chi Running book on the strength of various on-line reviews.


But - despite really looking forward to it - I found it almost incomprehensibly bad. It seemed to be a very long winded collection of advice, which was drip fed to the reader over a few hundred pages.
Even worse, while some of it made sense (and indeed, was basic - relax, good posture) I found it very hard to separate opinion from pseudo science, and pseudo science from actual science. I thought the book was written in a very vague way.
It almost felt to me that one could read the book, and see whatever you wanted in it. They didn't seem, to me, to clearly make, and back up, points of advice.


So, what I'm wondering here, is whether anyone else has had a similar experience? The reviews on, for example, amazon are overwhelmingly positive; but I'm not at all convinced.

Any runners here read the book?
Am I missing something?
Being too critical?
Or does anyone have similar feelings, and think maybe there's a bit of hype surrounding the whole thing?

ss43

fergalr wrote: »

So there was an article on it in the Irish Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2009/0530/1224247393452.html?via=mr

where Catherina McKiernan talks about her courses.
Now, I'm sure her courses are very good - previous threads here indicated this was the case, and she clearly knows how to run.


I came across the Chi Running book on the web about 2 years ago, and I picked up the Chi Running book on the strength of various on-line reviews.


But - despite really looking forward to it - I found it almost incomprehensibly bad. It seemed to be a very long winded collection of advice, which was drip fed to the reader over a few hundred pages.
Even worse, while some of it made sense (and indeed, was basic - relax, good posture) I found it very hard to separate opinion from pseudo science, and pseudo science from actual science. I thought the book was written in a very vague way.
It almost felt to me that one could read the book, and see whatever you wanted in it. They didn't seem, to me, to clearly make, and back up, points of advice.


So, what I'm wondering here, is whether anyone else has had a similar experience? The reviews on, for example, amazon are overwhelmingly positive; but I'm not at all convinced.

Any runners here read the book?
Am I missing something?
Being too critical?
Or does anyone have similar feelings, and think maybe there's a bit of hype surrounding the whole thing?

I'm in the process of reading it. The fact that it's taken me more than 2/3 days is a bad sign for it.

I see what you mean about the pseudo-science as well. He talks about lactic acid being a waste product too - wouldn't exactly inspire you with confidence in his knowledge.

It's a business - if he didn't drag the book out it wouldn't seem to be worth as much. If he summarised it down to 5 pages people wouldn't like paying over a tenner for the book and it'd be much easier to copy.

That said. I reckon there's a lot of good info there and if you can get the main points from the book it'd probably worht dealing with the rest. I am still reading it though so my opinions are only early impressions.

mcdonrob

Read the book - I found it quite awkward, non-flowing and padded out.
However on foot of that I did a chi-running day workshop with catherina mckiernan.
Over the years I've been plagued with shin splints, €€€ on physio €€€ changing shoes €€€ on orthotics etc... - since reading the book and doing the workshop I've not these problems... fingers crossed for DCM this year.
So much so that I'm rather annoyed at myself for running for years without getting some sort of analysis.
I would never have gone on the chi-running workshop had I not read the book.
Now I think about my style when running, trying to stay flowing and its working for me. I'm doing more mileage and my times are coming down. There are probably better books out there, but the book and workshop worked for me.

cantswim

I read the book and it made no sense at all. Went to the workshop and couldn't believe the difference - even the small things about the correct way to run can make a big difference. The book made a bit more sense afterwards but still didn't get to the end. Catherina does a great job in making the whole thing fairly understandable.

bananamansgay

i guess i took from it the whole leaning forward part and the posture guidlines (my posture is particulary bad in general). i do seem to find running longer distances easier now and dont really pick up any niggly injuries. i did think the book was dragged out, and while i didnt finish it im glad i got my posture sorted out.... the book is about €15 so id have to say for what i paid/got out of it i was happy.

marathonm@n

Has anyone tried this. Have heard that it is a great form of running to avoid injuries.Have been plagued with injuries over the last 18 months. Mostly the knee.Oesteopath thinks it is cartilege.
Would love to get back into training for a race.

RoyMcC

There's been a few threads on this, one is here (Unfortunately the search function thinks the word 'chi' is too short to use).

Maybe you'll get a few informed replies on this. From what I understand Chi is an amalgam of good sense, basic coaching points and good appreciation of biomechanics rather than anything groundbreaking.

marathonm@n

appreciate that.Thanks.

marathonm@n

just joined today. Delighted to read these opinions of Danny Dreyers book.I met him at the Atlanta Marathon expo and he was a really down to earth fella. I read half this book 2 years ago and like yourselves thought it was drawn out and made little sense in practical running terms. I know I overpronate and this is causing my knee problems but his advice on straightening your foot to alleviate this is annoying to say the least. If it was this simple why is there so many trainers on the market.
Thanks for the tips on Catherina's class. I am booked into it next month and thanks to your above posts, I am now really looking forward to it.
I hope it stops the injuries and lets me get back to running full time. I did 4 marathons in six months in 2007 but have not been able to run much since because of my knee and disc problems.
Thanks again for all the advice.

RJC

I did a 1 day course in Chi running and while I wasn't injured it did teach me some things about posture, alignment and relaxation while running.....all of which I found excellent. I tried to implement the mid-foot running technique but I ended up injuring myself. I wasn't injured when running on my heels and I have migrated back to my heel strike since the chi running workshop....although I have noticed that the mid-foot wear on my shoes has increased.

Ms K Sir A

Having done a search on the topic I've come up with a page with videos on it.... MIght be of interest to you. In saying that.. I couldn't get the video to open... I'm going in search of an alternative MP4 player now....


http://www.chirunning.com/shop/pages.php?pageid=63&xid=5ae1930c21a8760a0372f7f771ea81e6&store_language=US