Runningmonkeys

Today I realised another small milestone in the gradual process of mastering the Pose Method of Running.  This evening in the dark, hot and humid streets of downtown Tsukuba, I ran on my forefeet non-stop for 8 kilometres. 

This mightn’t sound too exciting to you, but believe me I am excited.  Over the last few weeks I have progressed from being a long time heel striker to a comfortable forefoot striker and I believe that is a big achievement. 

I ran the 8 in 38:06 minutes which my Garmin running computer tells me averages at 4:36 per kilometre.  Now even that isn’t spectacular but I see that as a handy sort of training pace.  Not break-neck but still not walking. 

On top of this, I wound the speed up a notch yesterday as a trial.  On one long straight stretch my computer was sitting on 3:14 per kilometre and I noticed how unusual it felt.  Normally when I run at that sort of pace, I bounce all over the place.  I have an impossibly hard task trying to keep my form together and I feel every step hard and sharp.  Yesterday, all I did was lean my whole body a little further forward and concentrate on lifting my feet as fast as I possibly could.  Without losing my form or feeling any extra road shock I was able to speed up nicely.  Of course I couldn’t keep it going for very long as pretty soon my hamstrings lost the ability to lift my feet fast enough to keep up.  With time, my muscles will be up to it.

All in all, I am feeling very positive about what I am discovering about my new Pose Method form.  I am gradually (deliberately) picking up the mileage as my body adapts.  Now I can see the potential for speed, I am more enthusiastic than ever to get into the strength training that is specified in the book The Pose Method of Running.  I am running in a way that is continuing to let my old calf injury disappear after about a year.  All in all I am a happy Poser.  Anyone care to join me?  Click on the banner below to buy the book and video and get yourself some new form.

Thanks

Tom