for an ad-free Fetcheveryone experience!

More efficient running style

183 watchers

SPR Mar 2018 11:03am, 26 Mar 2018 25,772 posts	Quote Pin SPR Awareness/ mindfulness is totally different from thinking about how to perform every action. In fact the link I posted advocated becoming aware/mindful.
Fenners Mar 2018 8:02pm, 26 Mar 2018 14,528 posts	Quote Pin Fenners Perhaps it's just me. I've had my best runs when I've forgotten that I'm running. It just flows. No un-necessary tension. No worrying about technicalities. As one famous running company suggests 'Just do it'.
SPR Mar 2018 8:21pm, 26 Mar 2018 25,781 posts	Quote Pin SPR Running is great, why would you want to forget you're doing it? That's totally different from thinking about every single stride...
SPR Mar 2018 7:28pm, 27 Mar 2018 25,785 posts	Quote Pin SPR A blog by Steve Magness on calm conversation while racing: scienceofrunning.com
SPR Mar 2018 7:30pm, 27 Mar 2018 25,786 posts	Quote Pin SPR ...and training.
Fenners Mar 2018 8:27am, 28 Mar 2018 14,535 posts	Quote Pin Fenners SPR, you win, I give up. I bow in your greatness. See ya all. It was fun.
HappyG(rrr) Mar 2018 8:54am, 28 Mar 2018 28,501 posts	Quote Pin HappyG(rrr) FR, I don't think SPR is arguing or disagreeing with you, just slightly different language and point of view. Anyhoo, hope all is OK. SPR, great blog / article there. I have stumbled on this sort of process a couple of times in races, and occasionally in training - interestingly usually a long tempo or MP run. I guess intervals are too short to benefit from a calm conversation?! The other thing that Pose gave me, back in the day, was something to think about when the pain is kicking in on a race or hard training run. If I'm thinking "pelvis forward, chest up, keep the cadence going, short steps, pitter patter" then I'm not thinking, "f*ck, I'm going to die, there's no way I can maintain this pace, must slow down" etc.! Whether it's the actual corrective actions and physiological benefit of lifting the chest (get breath in a bit better), pelvis forward (converting gravity and momentum into forward movement without bending), higher cadence , shorter stride (minimizing inefficient braking forces, reducing ground contact retardation) etc. Or is it the the psychological / mental benefit of recognising reaching a threshold that is hard, acknowledging it and having a simple set of things to think about and check through, to stave off the emotional and panic reaction, I don't know. But it definitely has helped! G
SSLHP (Shoes smell like horse piss) Mar 2018 9:12am, 28 Mar 2018 348 posts	Quote Pin SSLHP (Shoes smell like horse piss) HappyG Helps me in the same way
GlennR Mar 2018 9:40am, 28 Mar 2018 34,617 posts	Quote Pin GlennR For what it's worth thought and focus are different things, almost diametrically opposed in fact. To the extent that thinking about running is a good thing it ideally takes place while not running. While running, choose something to focus on, which could be the pelvis or cadence as HappyG suggests, if that's what seems valuable at the time. Alternatively the focus could be on the scenery or the smells, or whatever floats your boat, which is maybe closer to the point that Fenners is making.
SPR Mar 2018 10:22am, 28 Mar 2018 25,788 posts	Quote Pin SPR Happy - I think anything can benefit from calm conversation, the thing is, it hopefully becomes automatic. It's about not panicking (consciously or subconsciously) when it feels tough. Distraction works to a point but I think there's a danger with it that things suddenly overwhelm you. I like the this hurts but is fine attitude as it means you're prepared to accept how running fast feels. FR - I'm a bit confused as to why you're annoyed. We're allowed to disagree and have different points of view without it being an issue. Glenn has made the point I was trying to make more clearly. The difference here is associate Vs disassociate. I learnt early that I associate, I would be a disaster racing with earphones as I it interfere with my focus. It's the same reason why some find track laps boring, while for me, its perfect for zoning in. You can associate without trying to change or control things, but you can make a change if necessary.