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The Right Way to Run
— Coach Caroline, Team RunRX
Here’s what we know:
That there are at minimum 3 elements to running properly
It’s going to take some time and we need to rethink what we’ve been told thus far from the running community.
RunRx has a community and you aren’t alone in what you are learning and trying to do.
The Pose Method has been taught in classes around the globe for over a decade. The question then, is why aren't more people running this way?
Well, the short answer is marketing, but the real answer is learning something new is hard. Unlearning the old ways, and adopting new methods leads to resistance for a lot of people.
If you were to tr and learn to play the piano you'd first have to learn how to read the music and the keys; we could put this in alignment with the elements (Pose | Fall | Pull).
But, there are other elements that need to be looked at that take these ideas to the next level. For example, concepts like center of mass, and cadence – are similar to learning to play with both hands and understanding different piano techniques.
The issue is that as runners we want to just do the stretch, or do something to fix the pain. But, to really make a lasting change, you have to fix the movement.
The faulty thinking most people have is that they should be able to sit down and play their favorite song after just a couple of weeks of lessons, and a few practice sessions in between. It doesn’t work that way. Perfect practice makes perfect!
In running, you need to start with the base set of skills, and what you are doing incorrectly that is causing you pain. We get to the heart of this by watching you run and looking at where you are. This is so powerful that we require it at the beginning of your training before we try and teach you anything about the new method.
Then, we work on adding strength to build up the muscles and tendons to help you perform the skills and movements correctly.
Think of yourself as a child learning to walk. A baby falls over and over again and then gets back up before it can learn to master the movement of walking. With each fall though, the baby is using and building the muscles they need to finally walk.
Runners need to understand that every drill helps you build strength, and repetition helps you build muscle memory to help you get better at the skill.
Finally, we need self-care to break up the scar tissue and lactic acid that is keeping us in pain. Self-care and mindset work also helps you let go and allow the natural elements of running (muscle elasticity and gravity) to do their work.
Note: Once you start your journey, you will likely be frustrated in the beginning.
We get it! And, it’s completely normal. Not only have we been there unlearning the bad advice and learning the correct way to move, but we've helped hundreds of students, and thousands through our free content. We have witnessed the struggles first hand, and everyone passes through the same stages…
The first is PLATYPUS this frustrating awkward stage, it’s completely natural, because you’re learning something new.
Next is what we call the FLAMINGO, you feel like you are always trying to balance in POSE (remember the figure 4).
Then you start moving into learning the CHANGE OF SUPPORT which Valerie and I loving call the PRANCING PONY.
But to really start to get the feeling of running you need to learn to FALL which is all about LETTING GO… and this is when we runners get stubborn, so we’ve named this phase DONKEY.
“Wow Caroline, really this does not sound like fun at all, flamingos, prancing ponies and donkeys??”
AAHHH but remember it’s part of a process, a process that if you are:
- Open minded
- Coachable
- Willing to do the work and put in the practice
Eventually, you will get to the last phase…what I have named the CHEETAH because you feel like you are flying through the air. But, when you first start letting go and falling, you will need to build up strength and perception of how your body is moving. So for now, think of yourself as a CHEETAH CUB training and growing for the better. Before you know it you will be ready to fly!
So what do you think?
Are you ready to get past your injuries and discomfort and learn how to run correctly? If so, let's talk about what to do next, and where to go from here.
SUBTEXT:
- Learning a new skill takes time, but also takes an open mind.
- As you do the skills, add the strength and self-care, you will be able to run pain free and you will be stronger and more mobile.
