Saturday, January 12, 2013

Form Fitting And Some Diet Schtuff

Much like the compression clothes that we squeeze into on a daily basis, our running form needs to be just as form fitting. Now that I have confused myself with my own metaphor, I will simply say that our running form is part of who we are. To be honest, when I started running, I had no idea that there was a right or wrong way to run; I simply thought that if you stretched regularly, improved slowly and ate right, you wouldn't get injured - yeah right!

So, if our form is part of us, what if that form is also wrong? Turns out, that was the case for me, and my joints started to feel it. Now, I have to change my own natural stride for the all-around natural stride. This explains my shift to barefoot running, and my obsession with tweaking my form. This brings me to my next step, which may involve a book I finally got my hands on: Chi Running - A Natural Approach To Effortless, Injury-Free Running by Danny Dreyer. I had heard about this book, and I understood the basic premise: run with a meditative approach, run with better form, be relaxed and live the run by using your core more.


I have only just opened the book, but I am already impressed with how much it makes sense, and how much overlapping it has with the principles discussed in Born To Run. Essentially, the more I love running, and the more I know about the "art" of the sport, the healthier I will be in the long run. This is all going to come together in the end for me, but for now I am just excited to enter training with so many concepts and skills to work on and experiment with. Dreyer was all about figuring out the mechanics of his own body in order to get the most out of it, and I have that same kind of mentality. Stayed tuned for more!


I also wanted to discuss some dietary things I am doing moving forward into next week. The first is the use of chia seeds in the things I eat. This morning I put half a serving of them in my oatmeal to try it out, and essentially it tasted the same; I have no problem with that because I am still getting the benefits. If you don't know about this new phenomenon, then let me enlighten you with what I know: chia seeds are a super food, much like avocado. The sees are fill of things like omega-3 and they can be out into all different kinds of food, or used to make different things as the main ingredient. I've heard of these seeds on blogs, and they are mentioned, along with quinoa, as a great food for runners in Born To Run. I am going to use these sparingly, as they are pretty expensive, and I had to get them from Trader Joe's, which isn't right down the street. Still, I think oatmeal and my lunch yogurt will be my primary places to add them.

While at Joe's, I also picked up some great looking organic broccoli because it has some great benefits as well, not the least of which is being a anti-inflammatory. I wanted to avoid this scene at my local Kroger:


Yeah, way to suck Kroger. Who needs to eat healthy anyway?

This is by no means a food blog, but I am looking forward to experimenting with some new things and telling you about it.

As for the Chilly Challenge, I am still trying to pull my weight. Today I did a total of 8.45 miles, 5 of which were on the road in my Fivefingers. Yesterday I did 4 in my Fivefingers. Total for the week, so far, I am at 42.67 miles, and I feel good. I gotta say, my calves are finally starting to come around, and they are recovering much faster. Hopefully I can put up a 50 spot this week. Go team Escapades!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

28 comments:

  1. Another great running week, way to go :) Oh Kroger, you fail. That looks horrible. I really want to try Chia seeds, maybe as I build my mileage I can justify the cost? The philosophy of that book sounds super cool!

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    1. I got one of those Kroger Marketplaces by me, and I am pretty sure I will get lost forever in there one day.

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  2. I got some ground chia last time I bought some...I'm not sure if it makes a difference in what it does for you, but you can taste the flavor it has that way (which may or may not be bad...) runningfood always has a booth at the expo I go to every july and I get talked in to trying something new (last year I bought chia oil...I dont' recommend that at all)

    I just got the Chi Marathon book for christmas. I don't plan on doing an actual full marathon any time soon, but I'm looking forward to reading it as well.

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    1. You will have to tell me how that book is, Jess. It just sounds like a great overall way to look at running.

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  3. Haha I remember going to a local Canadian grocery store with my dad 3 weeks ago (I usually go to these Chinese ones) and there were hardly any veggies there. Like !

    I love chia seeds <3 You can make puddings out of them (like the tapioca kinds) or really just put them into anything. When I was at Mexico they had a ton of them which was awesome as I rarely eat them due to cost :(

    The book sounds uber cool :) I'll check it out...

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    1. I will have to get some recipes from you, Nadiya. I am just looking to put them in stuff right now. I think cooking with them would get expensive.

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  4. I've had the Chi Running book for many years now. My Orthopedic recommended it after I pushed through an unknown shin splint resulting in a stress fracture. No more shin splints!

    Great numbers for Team Escapades ;)

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    1. That is great that it worked! I guess it wouldn't sell so many copies if it was totally bogus, but who knows how long it will take me to read it! I am glad you healed up well!

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  5. You should make that chia juice that Cabalo Blanco drinks in Born to Run. And then tell me how it tastes. Lol. I'm totally inspired by your commitment to be an ever better runner. That kind of work ethic reveals a good character.

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    1. If I enjoy something, I tend to go a little overboard with it ;) hopefully my insanity will help inspire a few more people to improve their lives along the way.

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  6. check those miles, great stuff!!

    I gotta say, I am still just totally clueless with all things running..running form included. I've been reading a lot though and it has definitely helped educate me a lot more in that aspect! Who knew there was quite a bit involved in running?!

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    1. Feels like every time I start to get a grasp on this whole thing, a door opens up and there is a whole new mess of stuff I didn't know. I guess it keeps the sport interesting!

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  7. I loved the Born to Run book. I will have to check out the Chi Running book. I have been wanting to try the chia seeds. They sound pretty easy to incorporate into your diet!

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    1. The seeds are so small, so that helps. I will have more of an opinion after trying them in yogurt, but the oatmeal was just fine!

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  8. Way to go Team Escapades! I love Trader Joe's! I must say, though, I have not been convinced by chia seeds. I need someone to really, really push the motivation on me for me to really try it more consistently.

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    1. What is stopping you? Yes, Joe's is great. If it was about 5 minutes closer, I would go all the time.

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  9. Loved Chi Running! There's another book out that I've heard great things about that's along the same lines called Tread Lightly. Definitely going to be reading it. You are so right on about running form! My favorite treat that uses chia is a Pink Lady apple with sunflower seed butter and chia on top... so good that it's often my dessert!

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    1. I will have to keep that snack in mind! I am always up for new and simple ideas! Let me know how that book is.

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  10. Great post! My mom is really into all the Chi running stuff. I've never gotten in to it but I think it's more just because I'm lazy and it seems like a lot of work to change my form ;-).

    As far as Chia seeds, they're all the rage! Here in Orlando we have a local doctor who created a drink called "Drink Chia" and it's pretty good. I need to pay more attention to what goes IN my body rather than just what my body does. Great post!

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    1. Seems like a very versatile seed, so I am excited about it!

      Changing form is a ton of work, and it is mentally challenging because I am quite a bit slower while doing it. It will be worth it though. Thanks for the kind words!

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  11. I had bad form when I started running because my core wasn't strong. I had a bad slouch and I injured my knee. But I have definitely learned my lesson about form. But I am still always worried about getting injured.

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  12. oh form!! yea, it's funny to think of myself when i first started and how crazy i looked running! the good thing is that with work anyone can improve their form...and it helps both performance wise but also in reducing injuries.

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    1. Let's not lie to ourselves, we still look like a crazy-person when we run ;)

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  13. Kroger does suck! What happened to that place?

    Halfway through Chi running, need to pick it back up:)

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  14. haha Kroger broccoli got ransacked! I like Chia seeds, i don't use them much outside of yogurt, oatmeal and the occassional smoothie, although I should!

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  15. I'm a fan of Pose Running myself, but Chi is good too :)

    If you want a pair of zero drop shoes that are a bit thicker than the Vibrams, check out SKORA Running. Feel free to email me if you have any questions :)

    Kyle @ SkoraRunning.com

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