A Passion for Running

Right now, Aaron and I are running together on Mondays and Thursdays. On the latter days, we videotape one another so we can then analyze the progress we’re making (or not making!).

Last night the videotape said good things. Each of us did a half-dozen fly-by’s and found no major problems. Most everything looked pretty good and the bonus is that we’re looking more and more relaxed while POSE running. Speaking for myself, I certainly feel more relaxed.

Of course, there is much room for improvement (probably always will be) but the basics are clearly there.

Our endurance running in POSE is also getting better. Right now I can get about a mile before I have to stop and collect myself. That might not seem like much but keep in mind when I started POSEing I was huffing and puffing after only 50 meters! That’s because my hamstrings had zero experience being the primary muscles used for running and the skill itself was entirely new. A lot of neuromuscular pathways were/are being altered!

Have I mentioned I’m considering myself a born-again runner?

I had a really interesting conversation the other day with Adeel over at And with your help, I’ll get that chicken. He had lots of interesting questions and comments about the POSE and about the shoes I’m now running in. Those being the Puma H-Streets. Adeel was surprised I was running in such a lighweight (5 ounce), minimalist shoe but what I like about running in the H-Street is that it really does facilitate POSE running plus it alerts me when I’m falling out of form because when I do, I immediately feel the pounding. Each time I fall out of form and feel that pounding, I remember my old running form and have an instant “I’m never doing that again” thought.

Change only comes when you want it to come.

Anyway, two miles plus the video fly-by’s made yesterday a good day.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Marie threw this to me a few weeks ago and I’m finally doing something with it. Crap, this exercise sure did bring home the realization I do far too little reading. Actually, that’s not quite accurate. I do lots and lots of reading. Lots of business reading at work and lots of web reading at home. What I don’t do much of is book/novel reading! Garsh, I remember a time when you couldn’t tear my eyes away from a novel – even during dinner. Things sure have changed. Anyhoo…

You are stuck inside Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
Thus Spoke Zarathustra by 19th century german philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. That guy was really bent but in a way that makes my mind like being bent. I read this book a LONG time ago while in University and found Nietzsche to be fascinating. Plus, I think his stuff would not go over well in the world of Fahrenheit 451. Philosopher’s never do well in police states.

Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Fictional means “not-real” right? So, does that mean Pamela Anderson counts? No? Well, then the answer is “no”. Sheesh. Tough room.

The last book you bought is?
Sorry Marie, The Pose Method of Running by Dr. Nicholas Romanov. What can I say? It’s changing my life.

The last book you read was?
Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle. It is sort of a non-bookish book. Kind of a collection of thoughts or meditations. It’s a very tiny little book with lots of deep thoughts. I really liked it and often go back to it just to get my mind onto a new track.

What are you currently reading?
It’s Not About the Bike by Lance Armstrong. Powerful, raw, inspiring stuff. Honestly.

Five books you would take to a deserted island?
1. The Bible (I’m copying Marie on this one). I’m not what you’d call a really strong Christian, but I do think the Bible has some great teachings. Plus, opening it is like opening a box of chocolate – you never know what yer gonna git.
2. This stick thing started with Ray Bradbury – an author I love so I’m thinking about his Martain Chronicles. Classic sci-fi.
3. Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution because I’d need something to start a fire with.
4. Mario Puzo’s The Godfather. Because I love that movie and I wonder if the rumour is true that the book is inferior.
5. Either of Stephen Hawking’s Universe: The Cosmos Explained or A Brief History of Time because with all that time on my hands, I might actually be able to concentrate long enough to understand physics for the first time in my life!

So, there’s my answer. Hey Marie, thanks for helping me discover yet another of my inadequencies!

I guess I am supposed to pass on this stick, so I?m throwing it to: Jeff. I can’t wait to hear his picks. Should be some very positive stuff! I think I’ll also throw this to Bev because I know how much she loves lists. Knock yourself out Bev!

…ahh heck, I think I’ll throw this to one more person – Pam because I owe her one for calling me a “girl” the other day.

I took this from Jon, who I always thought of as a real blogger because he?s kinda famous and lives in Michigan.

Five Things My Friends Like That I Really Couldn?t Care Less About:

#1 A nice, clean car. I’m in agreement with Jon on this one. I really couldn’t give two hoots what kind of vehicle I drive or if it’s clean. Ok, ok it shouldn’t STINK on the inside (don’t say a word Aaron) but, other than that one qualifier, all I care about is that it gets me from point A to B and that it has a good heater for winters.

#2 Along the same lines as #1: Clean, untattered underwear. Really, what’s the big deal? Wear ‘em until they rot off and then steal a pair from your brother/friend’s hamper and wear those till they’re done too.

#3 Living in a warm, inviting climate. Come on. Why the HELL would any Canadian (except those wusses on Victoria Island) live in Canada if they based their happiness on being warm?

#4 Perogies. Kimberly Choma is the chick who just got the boot from The Bachelor. She’s from Edmonton and she made it look like all Canadians are of Ukrainian descent and that we like perogies. Not me. Give me a pizza and a beer any day and I’m a happy camper. Side note: Kimberly is not representative of the intelligence of most Canadians. By and large, we are substantially disadvantaged in comparison to Kimberly (ouch!). See #3 above for a clue as to why this statement is obviously true. PS My wife and her family know Kimberly and her family.

#5 Lacey and Scott Peterson, O.J. Simpson, every other high-profile media circus criminal court case, and the whole news industry in general. I know people who obsess over the news and who read every newspaper, check the net, watch the news on TV and on the radio on the way to work. I have absolutely NO interest in the news. HONEST. I find it far too depressing and voyeuristic (how ironic is that coming from someone who is constantly reading blogs?). I find todays’ news to be all about getting an emotional, panic response going in society. It is, more often than not, very lean on fact and high on rumour. I HATE the news and often find myself saying stuff like, “the Pope died?” or “There was an election?”. I am NOT exaggerating.

So that’s my list. Who’s next?

Ahhh. I feel much better. It is always amazing how a little run will set things straight…

Today I tried to emulate what Aaron did yesterday – that being a two mile continous run while staying in POSE form.

I was not as successful as my fine-feathered Irish friend but the run was not without positives.

I ran twenty minutes – 10 minutes out and 10 minutes back. I’m not sure how far I went but my guess is it is a bit better than two miles. However, I was not able to run the whole way without losing form. I stopped to collect myself after seven minutes of running. After 30 seconds, I continued on for another three minutes or so and then stopped again.

So, not great but I’m not unhappy about the run since seven minutes is five minutes longer in form than I’ve run before. I’m also happy because I had virtually no calf tension today so that tells me I am learning to relax while in the POSE and that I am not pushing off or doing any of what Dr. Romanov calls active landing so yay for me.

My last thought on today’s run. Here’s your brain:

and here’s your brain on the POSE:

pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull pull…

Having only one thought to concentrate on is a very good thing for people like me.