Running Coaching

If you get into barefoot running, sooner or later you will realise the importance of form. While it's true that thousands of people have found that their injuries have disappeared once they've taken up barefoot running, it is equally true that running the wrong way unshod will injure you. There are two problems encountered by most runners in transition from running in cushioned soles to running barefoot or minimally shod: doing too much too soon, and running with bad habits which were learned while running in conventional shoes. But don't worry; help is at hand. There are several good resources out there. Those nice people at Vivo Barefoot have teamed up with Lee Saxby to publish a free online guide to good form. If you go to

http://trainingclinic.vivobarefoot.com/lee-saxby/

you can also follow the links from here to learn the skill of running minimalist stylee or find yourself a running coach. A good coach will record you running on video and give you some training so you can learn how it feels to do run with the new form. There are a few other barefoot style coaches out there. I plumped for a training session with a ChiRunning (TM) instructor, (www.chirunning.com), which I'll come back to in a moment.

The main problem with running in traditional, post-1970, cushioned shoes is that they encourage a heel strike. Running barefoot or in minimalist shoes requires a forefoot or midfoot strike. The aim here is to have your feet landing below your centre of gravity (i.e. not in front of you). Things work best when you've got the correct posture. Basically, you should be able to draw a straight line from your ears through your shoulders and hips to your heels. The problem with getting your posture right is that what you think you are doing is probably not what you are doing. This is why you need video and an instructor to act as a "spotter".

ChiRunning applies the philosophy and techniques of t'ai chi to running. Emphasis is placed on using core muscles and finding the most efficient way of moving. I've been on a couple of runs since and found that it makes a real difference. Actually, it's bloomin' fantastic. A couple of nights ago I went on a 2-mile run or thereabouts. It's never felt this easy. I did't even need to get my breath back afterwards. So there it is: if you want to make rapid progress in your new minimalist shoes (or barefoot), get some coaching. Failing that, read the literature and watch the appropriate videos on YouTube, and get a mate to video you. The camera never lies.