ChiRunning
by Danny Dreyer
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Read in February, 2008
"Make your work day a moving meditation"- a quote from the book.
This book has some amazing tips on how to run the most effective and enjoyable way. Since implementing the chi form of running I have been able to run longer distance and add more endurance. The only down side is that I wished it came with a DVD so that one could see the form in action.
This book has some amazing tips on how to run the most effective and enjoyable way. Since implementing the chi form of running I have been able to run longer distance and add more endurance. The only down side is that I wished it came with a DVD so that one could see the form in action.
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I have always avoided running, but have wanted to figure out how I could 'run and not be weary'. When I realized that I was holding my breath it was like a light bulb went on "hey, maybe I can run!" I don't run far or fast, but I feel that because of the tips in this book I am learning to run and enjoy the experience.
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Read in August, 2008
recommended to Susan by:
Dadrecommends it for: Anyone who want to or does run
It's a good thing this came recommended by someone I trust, or I would've stopped reading it after the first few chapters. The author really bothered me with his constant stating of how revolutionary chirunning was, and how every other method out there goes on the no pain, no gain philosophy. I had read quite a few running books prior to this and even my 1984 running book didn't say no pain no gain!
So, after I got done being annoyed by him he started getting into the method and exercises an...more
So, after I got done being annoyed by him he started getting into the method and exercises an...more
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I really liked the information about form and the pre-streches. I liked how he emphasizes More Chi style running and compares it to power running and training. I will try to use some of the things that really stood out to me. Sometimes I wondered about some of his adivce like not eating at all before a run. Even just a short run. I would get very ill if I got up in the morning and didn't eat something. Low glucose and all. Glucose shock is terrible. Yet, overall his other advice seemed good. I t...more
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Read in October, 2008
This book presents a unique running philosophy with the purpose of conserving energy or "chi". The main points are to keep your body in column, lean forward from your ankles like a ski jumper, and to lift your feet and move them and your arms in a forward, circular "Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner" style. There is also some information on pacing and breathing. I've tried some of the techniques and have not felt comfortable with them, yet. There are several keys to remember an...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
runners
Dreyer advocates learning a new way of running to increase speed and efficiency, but more importantly, in prevent injury and increase one's longevity in running by focusing on use of large muscles, ie hips, instead of small ones, ie calves. Basically, he teaches readers to lean forward in a straight line (with the whole body) from the feet -- think of olympic ski jumpers, and you get an image of what he's talking about -- and letting the legs limply fly up behind you. This requires a lot of &quo...more
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Read in September, 2008
Learned some really interesting things about running, particularly about my form. In the first few times I ran after reading it, and concentrated on the form points that are illustrated in this book, I markedly increased my speed. Don't know if this is a "fad" or not, as some claim, but I can say that some aspects of it were dead on for me.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has been running for a while and feels like no matter how hard he/she tries he/she can't seem to impro...more
I would recommend this book to anyone who has been running for a while and feels like no matter how hard he/she tries he/she can't seem to impro...more
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Read in January, 2008
I'm slowing trying to implement the Chi Running ideas and so far I have run a couple times with less joint pain and less effort. Hopefully as I get further in I will improve even more.
Update: I put the principles of this book into practice on a 4 mile run. I got my fastest time with what felt like the least effort. I felt like I could run another mile when I was done. So I have a 5 mile race scheduled in March. Hopefully it will keep working.
I'm putting this on my "read" ...more
Update: I put the principles of this book into practice on a 4 mile run. I got my fastest time with what felt like the least effort. I felt like I could run another mile when I was done. So I have a 5 mile race scheduled in March. Hopefully it will keep working.
I'm putting this on my "read" ...more
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
anyone who may go for a run
It is my plan to write the next Chi Running book, but I will use pinyin and also qi gong instead of Tai Qi. This is great, though. Tries to teach a way of no-impact running through posture, breathing and focus techniques of Tai Qi. Very beneficial for anyone, even without Tai Qi, Qi Gong, or meditation background. For people with a background in any of those, however, there is a lot of room for expanding the teachings of this book. Definitely worthwhile--makes running more enjoyable and pro...more
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Read in January, 2006
recommended to Ryan by:
Tri-Utahrecommends it for: runners, walkers, crawlers
this is a good reference overall, and the steps involved make a lot of sense.
My problem with the book is that it, like most instructional running books does not take in account that everyone runs slightly different, and the way the author wants you to run is very different than the way I run.
I did learn a lot from this book, and it has helped me stave off serious injury, the stretches and mental training aspects are well written and I took more from that than from the way the author was tr...more
My problem with the book is that it, like most instructional running books does not take in account that everyone runs slightly different, and the way the author wants you to run is very different than the way I run.
I did learn a lot from this book, and it has helped me stave off serious injury, the stretches and mental training aspects are well written and I took more from that than from the way the author was tr...more
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Read in April, 2007
I like that the book is well-researched and well-written. It really gives nice insights on how to run better, more easily. I've used the principles of less emphasis on the push/kick and more emphasis on the fall/flow of running and it's been helpful. That said, I wonder why a whole book is needed for collecting dust on my shelf. The concepts are not that difficult and the mindfulness is better practiced than contemplated. I'd happily loan this book to others, possibly swap it for another ru...more
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Read in July, 2008
I don't really know how to incorporate these principles into my running - I think I'd need to carry the book with me and refer to it constantly to make sure I'm using my "tower" appropriately and keeping things in a straight line and not leaning and whatever else the dude is trying to tell me to do. But if it can keep me injury free maybe it's worth looking like a dork running back and forth in front of my house...
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Read in April, 2008
A friend of my dad's gave this book to him, and he in turn gave it to me. He didn't seem to give any credence to it (in fact, I don't think he read it himself) but while it sounds totally hokey (the book definitely reads as a repetitive, sales-y self-help deal), but the posture corrections this dude suggests have made my stride a lot more fluid and effortless AND my knees feel a lot better.
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This book has taught me more than just good running technique. By practicing the concept behind "ChiRunning" I am learning how to live life more "easily" - to not work so hard, but get great benefit! If you are interested in running and improving as a runner and a person, this is the book to read. He and his wife have also written "ChiWalking".
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Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
Runners
Awesome! This book is a great read on balance, listening to your body, and relaxation while running--good for people who run or people who want to run or people who want to want to run :) It applies the principles of Tai Chi to running to achieve a kind of personal meditation while running. I'm trying to put some of the principles to practice :)
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