To Chi or not to Chi

Today I had a PR at The Half in Dallas, TX. I ran 13.42 miles (Garmin distance not the official race distance) at 7:43 pace. Two years ago at this same race I ran a 2:07, so progress is making its way down my road. I am not bragging, trust me I know I have a long way to go and there will always be someone faster. Ultimately, I owe my latest running breakthroughs to hard work, many miles and a new to me style of running called Chi running.

The basic theory is that you run using your core with a forward lean from the ankles. There is much more to Chi running but that is the basic concept. Anyway, it has allowed me to pick up the pace and run much more comfortably for a longer time. So this begs the question, does it matter what running technique you adopt? Or is the importance in finding a running technique, period.

I vote Chi, but only because it is my running technique of choice and I am truly bias. I find it funny that I have spent so many hours learning nutrition and studying swimming technique, but have never taken the time to focus on running or cycling techniques. So, the ultimate answer to my question, "To Chi or not to Chi," is, I think, to learn the proper forms and bio mechanics before logging in huge miles. Something I should have thought about 3 years ago.

Here is to continue progress. By the way thank you to my spouse who so patiently takes care of many things while I gallop off to races so that I may once again feel the burn.

C ya on the other side