Runningmonkeys

This is the third week I have been using the Pose Method of Running.  The first was just drills, the second was running some short but carefully “posed” runs.   This third week is more of the same.

What have I noticed so far?

1. Heel braking - Right from the start I noticed an interesting phenomenon when I tried to slow down.  If I was “posing” along and came to an intersection that I had to cross, my mind sent the message down to my legs to slow down.  Without me consciously making it happen, one of my feet shot slightly out to the front, my heel hit the ground and guess what?  I slowed down!  No real surprise there except that this particular stride was not radically different from what was typical in my old form.  The only difference was that previously I would overcome the braking effect by pulling my body over that foot.  This didn’t reduce the braking but just concealed it.  I think it is a classic that I am now using my old “fast” style in order to slow down.
2. Quietness - I expected the Pose Method of Running to be quiet but I didn’t expect it to be this quiet.  When I am concentrating hard, I can make my steps practically silent on a rubberised track and very, very quiet on normal concrete footpaths.  This is in contrast to the wack, wack, wack of my old style with its accompanying stresses.  Quiet steps are low impact steps. Low impact steps are good for my body.  What is good for my body is good for my running.  Happy days!
3. Unnatural - I still struggle with the feeling that I am running in someone Else’s style.  I feel a bit uncoordinated and wonky.  I imagine everyone I meet staring at me and thinking “What is he doing?”.  Of course I am sure I look quite graceful and fast, and that isn’t the point anyway.  I am adapting to this new style and I am sure it will take quite some time before it feels like my style.
4. High heart rate - Even when I am just doing drills, I have noticed fairly high heart rate.  When I am doing some easy running, my heart rate is higher than I would expect from similar running in my old form.  Of course this is just my feeling as I have deliberately left my running computer and its heart rate monitor at home since I started the Pose Method of Running.  Am I working harder?  I am not sure.  Am I going faster?  I am not sure.  Is it just that I have lost a bit of condition over the last month? I am not sure.
5. How much my mind wanders - I have noticed a real disappointing feeling as I lace up my shoes these days, as I tell myself that I have to stay 100% focused for the entire run.  I have discovered how much I usually enjoy letting my mind run free when I run.  I think about problems, people, the scenery, the rest of the day, my goals, my pace, and anything else that occurs to me.  Previously I enjoyed my time running even more when my mind takes off and has an adventure all its own.  Now, however, I must focus on my form.  It takes all of my concentration to do exactly what I must and not to do the things that I mustn’t.  I am sure that one day I will be able to relax my mind again, but not yet.
6. How good flats can feel - I was very nervous about the idea of training in racing flats.  I have always tried to train in the most thoroughly cushioned shoes available.  Now I was to suddenly step into shoes that are basically colour and that is all.  How could my body survive it?  Very well actually!  I have found no problem at all from the flats.  The impact on my body is so minimal that I believe that I could safely run on any hard surface without shoes and the only injury I would get would be cuts and abrasion.  I am truly amazed at the revolution in my impact with the ground.
7. How flimsy my flats are - I went to the biggest sports shops in Tsukuba to find these new shoes.  I was looking for a pair that were extremely light, flat, flexible and very thin at the front.  The only pair I could find in my size (29cm is considered big in Japan so most shops don’t stock them), almost fit this description.  They are made by Adidas and they look and feel great.  My only concern is that they are made for racing and so are not at all durable.  They have little blobs of grip glued onto a sort of fabric sole and although I have only owned them for three weeks a couple of these blobs have already parted ways with the shoes.  How long will the shoes last?  Not very long I expect.  What type will I get next?  I have no idea, but I predict it won’t be buying them in Tsukuba anyway. 

My first weeks using The Pose Method of Running have definitely been a revolution.  It is still very early days, but what I have experienced so far has made me think that I can’t help being a better runner when I have fully adopted the Pose Method as my method. 

How about you?  Are you considering making the change?  Are you already changing?  Have you made the change?  We’d love to hear about your experience so leave us all a comment below.

Thanks Tom