Can you be taught to run like a Kenyan?

Posted In: ChiRunning | Fitness | Me | Running divider 12 Comments »

You might not be as fast but I think you can enjoy it as much and look almost as pretty!

I’m a true believer that you can learn to run properly. I’m a perfect case study.  Being fairly heavy and a former football guy, I relied on my muscles when I first started to run about 10 years ago. And it led to muscular fatigue and some injuries.

A recent article in the Globe and Mail illustrates the fact that it’s a recent phenomenon that people think they can learn to run properly and actually paying for courses. It’s funny since most people will pay hundreds or thousands even for golf lessons but they will just head out the door and expect to run like a Kenyan.

I might be biased since I make a living teaching people to run (among other things) but I’m a believer that I can make everyone a runner. I’ve seen it with my work with a local obesity clinic and countless clients.

The article quotes an injury prevention leader (and friend) Blaise Dubois on the best running stride to avoid injuries. The stuff sounds a lot like something called ChiRunning…

Another good point that is usually made is that to run more efficiently, you have to run more. I truly believe that and I will go as far as saying running more with the right shoes and the right technique. And Blaise ends with a great point, you must take your time when you change stuff in your life. Gradual progress (aka baby steps) will get you where you want to be the right way, maybe not the fastest way.

But it can be taught, look at me! I have a lot of people say that I’m a beautiful runner (I’m not sure about that), but one thing I will agree with, I’m fairly efficient!

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