Eoin

My experience exactly!
Pete

On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, Disqus

In your blog post yesterday you’d referenced the excellent Living Barefoot podcast, where there’s a couple of interviews which relate to other points that you’d made on today’s blog. First, I was very happy to hear Dr. Mark Cucuzella talk favorably about Evolution Running (which I follow) along with Pose and Chi. It’s interesting, because he cited ER as being more suited for the performance-focused runner than the other two – though acknowledged there’s value in learning all three methods (which is good, as I see the differences as subtle, and ER’s DVD has been more helpful than other videos or books that I’ve found.)

Secondly, the interview with Jason Robillard might be applicable as regards your wife. Jason expresses a *very* interesting perspective which I’d never previously heard or considered, as it initially seems a bit counter-intuitive. He recommends all runners interested in transitioning to a minimalist shoe *first* learn to run barefoot, given the fact that as afferent feedback is maximized the individual will quickest adapt their stride to an improved rapid cadence, forefoot/midfoot landing. This adaptation requires no explanation or thought, as the foot and the body will – defensively! – make these changes, and after the individual appreciates how their form has changed (a before and after video might be useful) then they may be more open to the minimalist shoes alternatives and their advantages/disadvantages.

Good luck!

FRED (http://www.wanarun.net)

Owen,

Great to hear it – keep working at it and hopefully things will continue to
improve. Good luck at Freedom’s run – I’ve heard a lot about it and imagine
it will be a great event – get that 1:40!

Pete

http://www.alexandertechnique-running...

Tait,

I have thought the exact same thing, particularly since I was
questioned by some of e Pose and Chi folks after I wrote my center of
gravity post. Some people seem to cling to ideas even when they may
not be right because to admit one is wrong can make you look bad. One
of the things I always tell my students is to tell me if I make a
mistake, and not to take what I say as a professor as dogma. We are
all fallible, and it says a lot when you can admit you were in error.
In fact, learning from our mistakes is one of the best ways to move
forward and advance understanding. If someone sent me a video showing
a runner moving at steady speed contacting directly under the center
of gravity I would have posted it – I haven’t gotten one yet.

Pete

On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, Disqus