Running Form & Finding Running Shoes in China

I’ve been studying up on running form and have been watching 2 different running techniques. The first one is the Pose Method by Dr. Romanv and the second method is called Evolution Running by  Coach Ken Mierke.

Both are good systems and very similar, but I prefer the explanations on Coach Ken’s video over Dr. Romanov’s videos. Maybe it’s a language barrier thing?

Also, Coach Ken created his “Evolution” after Dr. Romanov created the “Pose Method.” So, you be the judge.

Anyway, it all makes sense, but my problem with Pose is that they want you to run in flat soled shoes with no sort of support. That’s fine if you don’t have any pronation issues. I happen to have a moderate pronation problem, so running in shoes without any sort of support is pretty much out of the question.

Speaking of pronation support, if you come to China be prepared. Bring your orthotics and a couple of good pair of running shoes. The concept of pronation support here is quite literally foreign to them. If you need pronation support, then have someone mail your shoes from the States or have them shipped over directly from a reputable online shoe store.

I went to several name brand athletic shoe places in my little city and tried on several pairs of shoes. None of them had any type of pronations support except Merrel and they weren’t even running shoes!

I’m not sure what I’m going to do now. Once I figure it out, I’ll post it and fill you all in on the details.

Runner’s World “Let’s Get Started”

This is the article that inspired me to start running again. This inspirational piece is a Q & A in the Need to Know side bar on page 68 in May’s 2010 Runner’s World Magazine.

Q: Can I still call myself a “runner” if I walk so much?

A: If you’re running, no matter how fast or slow, you’re a runner,” says Andrew Kastor, coach of the ING New York City Marathon online training program.

That was the kick in the pants that helped me get over that feeling of failure because I knew that there was no way I could run for any significant length of time. At 250 pounds I was lucky I could bend over to put my shoes on let alone schlep around a park somewhere. So thank you Andrew Kastor & Runner’s World!

Week 3 Interval

Yea baby!

I skipped running yesterday. I was too wiped out. I had a beautiful run today though. I didn’t quite feel up to doing … and ignored the lyrics. It turned out to be OK, since the offensive lyrics were only at the very beginning  and at the very end. In between, was some fun beats, even a beat modeled after an old school video game.

I didn’t eat much today, just a banana and a salad. Then by the time I got home I had another banana (easy to get to on short notice) and then I made some gluten free pancakes with more bananas and some Greek yogurt on the side.  I was hungry and needed a gluten free meal in a hurry, but I ate a little bit to much. Now, I feel all dragged down and I want to go to this meeting tonight. I better go take a shower and get moving. But then again, do I really care about how social media can help my business, seeing as how I retired from practicing acupuncture recently. I think if I can use it to help raise support for my trip to China then it may be worth it. I think I’ll take a Metformin and see how I feel after 20 minutes.

Edit – I went to the meeting and is was great. I don’t know if I will go every week. I’ll probably cherry pick which meetings I want to go to from now on.

Brother, Can You Spare Me a Tire?

Another day of rest. I definitely don’t want this to become a trend.

On a completely different note, got a flat tire on the way home from St. Pete yesterday. I went to Wal-Mart nearby and they wanted $85 plus a $20 disposal fee to replace the tire. Come on! Don’s Discount tires only charges $35, but the catch is that it was late on a Saturday when it happened, so I had to drive home and here I sit. I tried to reach a family friend to come over and put on the spare, but he hasn’t got back to me. I decided to cancel my teeth cleaning appointment on Monday morning and just limp up to Don’s Discount Tires and get the tire replaced. At least I have options.