A Passion for Running

Welcome to the home of Mark aka The Running Blogfather – a 40 year-old dad, husband and marathon runner who's beaten injury and is on the comeback trail!

remembering vs forgetting

passion for running category: running on Tuesday, March 8 2005

First of all – a big THANKS for all your comments and “good luck” wishes! They are very appreciated. :)

I had a fantabulously lovely run today. It was warm and sunny, the trails were mostly clear of ice, and it was just the right stress-busting break I needed in the middle of a hectic day at the office.

And more good news. Nothing fell apart (or off) today! Thing One didn’t bother me much at all, my achilles felt looser than it has been in a while and no new (knock on wood) injuries manifested themselves during the run.

Can I hear a “hallelujah” from the crowd?

As I was returning from the run, I had a thought. The thought was that I have run so little this past few months compared to the last few years that it feels like I am forgetting how to run.

And then I had another thought. Another very positive thought…

I’m pretty sure I got injured and suffer from periodic shin splints in great part because I run like an elephant on a wooden trestle bridge. I need to learn how to run lightly. I need to change my form (that wasn’t the thought – it was just some background).

The thought I had was that forgetting how to run may be a good thing. After all, why on earth would I want to remember poor running form?

Can I have another “hallelujah“? ;)

It all just seems to fit. As you probably already know, I’m going to start barefoot running in the spring. What you probaby don’t know is that I’m gonna do some reading. I’ve already read this book and will for sure be re-reading it. Two more sources of knowledge I’ll be delving into are Chi Running and the POSE Method.

This next several months, I’m going to work – really work at improving my form. I don’t care if I most of my runs are short for the majority of spring and summer. I am going to FIX my running form.

So today, after I realized I was forgetting how to run, I chuckled aloud and said to myself, “let’s learn something new” and focussed my energy on trying some of the stuff I’ve been reading about.

Maybe old blogfathers can learn new tricks?




14 Comments

2521

Comment by Lara

Tuesday March 08, 2005 @

Mark I’m so glad to hear that you had a good, ache-and-pain free run today!! :D

2522

Comment by susan

Tuesday March 08, 2005 @

You know what’s really weird, Mark, is that for all my inexperience…I am going through the same thing. Learning to run, that is. I think my recent injuries were from bad form. Re-reading Chi Running made me think about my feet, my breathing, all of it. I’m so glad you are on your way back…and that your run was so wonderful!

2523

Comment by beverly

Tuesday March 08, 2005 @

Glad that you had a great run, and that you have so much perspective on this phase of your running. But now you got me thinking: what bad habits will I have to unlearn in a couple of years?

2524

Comment by Chris Brogan...

Wednesday March 09, 2005 @

Tiger Woods took two years to reinvent himself, and during those two years, he chewed. He then went on to set records with his winning abilities. I think you’re on the right path. That whole leaning forward stuff makes lots of sense, with regards to injury prevention and economy of effort. Good luck!

2525

Comment by Karen

Wednesday March 09, 2005 @

woohoo! Congrats on a great run and on learning something new about your running. I’m sure that things will be smooth sailing from here on out with relearning how to run.

2526

Comment by Taco John

Wednesday March 09, 2005 @

While running barefoot might be good, I think these shoes are pretty good, while providing more protection.

2527

Comment by Jon in Michigan

Wednesday March 09, 2005 @

This sounds like a very good thing. Its tough to change what you are used to but maybe the injury was a blessing in disguise. Forced you (or allowed you) to change a running form that was hindering you.

2528

Comment by Deene

Wednesday March 09, 2005 @

I guess you can safely have “thoughts” without pulling anything out of joint. hallelujahs

2529

Comment by Dianna

Wednesday March 09, 2005 @

I’m still catching up on the 100+ posts I need to read…and wanted to say HOORAY for good running and for learning good form – As synchronicity would have it, I am also working on that same thing and reading Chi Running…AND, I was nodding like crazy during your bloglines post.

2530

Comment by BD

Wednesday March 09, 2005 @

Wonderful to hear about your new learning experiences. I’m a novice runner and I’ve retooled my form twice. It is hard to unlearn the bad habits. I’m sure I’ll have to unlearn things I’m doing now that I’m not aware of. Such is the process of learning.

2531

Comment by Lesley

Wednesday March 09, 2005 @

Good for you Mark! One of the reasons I teach “Learn to Run” clinics as it is good for me to also check my biomechanics!!! You don’t think I’m a caring, giving person now do you? Silly boy, it’s all about ME!!!

Seriously, I’m glad you are getting back into “just for the fun of it”! Congrats. :)

2532

Comment by David

Wednesday March 09, 2005 @

Hallelujah. Hallelujah. There’s your two back slaps. I changed my running mentality after reading about long distance Kenyan runners always running “downhill”, no matter what the grade.

2535

Comment by Reba

Thursday March 10, 2005 @

Mark, wow I just got caught up on the whole Thing One business of yours. When you first began to describe your symptoms I totally panicked. A wonderful man I used to work for was a long time runner, amazing soldier, awesome leader etc. etc. well we went for a routine run one morning and by the end of the day he was in pain that sounded like yours. Long story short: poor man had actually ripped a muscle and it’s connective tissue from the bone or some such. He was almost entirely incapacitated and even medically released. I’m so greatful that your injury was a recoverable one!! Allbeit I’m sorry you endured such pain and numbness in such an endeared body part. ;)

Chi Running has been on my ‘to read’ list forever it seems and now I think it’s time. I absolutely love the idea of re-learning to run. My own life has caused me to re-invent myself in the last 6 months and it’s truly ended up being a wonderful change…I can only presume that taking this approach with running would be the same.

Once again, your blog is beacon of hope and guidance to my little running soul my friend. Many thanks.

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