Comments on: Running and Taekwondo: Adding Strength, Balance and Flexibility via Martial Arts Practice

By: Mark Ulrich

Mark Ulrich — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Great idea!! I'll check it out.

By: SteveL

SteveL — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I use to be an assistant instructor and took the discipline for 17 years. It is a great activity. Do look around for a dojo that you will like. Watch a class and see if the instructor will suit you. Also, if they demand you pay six months to a year up front leave and find another place.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Travis W. Rigg.

Just to be clear, I agree completely about the mental benefits in terms of respect, perseverance, etc. - this is a running blog though so I was tailoring this particular article to my audience.
Sent from my iPad

By: Saundra Tosh

Saundra Tosh — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I'm glad of what's becoming of your son, Pete. Wadya know, he might be a black-belter someday. :P Yes, Taekwondo is one of the best forms of martial arts, developing the body, teaching self-discipline and confidence, but most importantly, it enhances one not just physically, but mentally.

Saundra Tosh

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Nicole Lacoste.

Do it, it's been great for me!

----
Pete Larson's Web Links:
My book: Tread Lightly - http://ow.ly/bdUO0
Work: http://www.anselm.edu/internet...
Blog: https://runblogger.com
Dailymile Profile: http://www.dailymile.com/peopl...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/oblinkin

By: Travis W. Rigg

Travis W. Rigg — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I have been doing Taekwondo for five years (going to be six soon), and running for one (going to be two soon). It's a blatant passion/obsession of mine. I definitely think that the two go together wonderfully. The only problem that I run into sometimes as a martial artist who runs is that the mentalities are a bit different. In Taekwondo (especially when working on forms) there is focus on trying to be sharp, precise, and strong.

This is because TKD is a martial art that focuses on strength of stance, and straight line movements. In more direct language, it is a striking martial art. You are trying to kick, punch, and block effectively (solidly).

Running is a little different though. It is fluid. It is smooth. It is quiet. It is light. You are trying to move in such a way that every single movement leads into the next, and to minimize the force of impact. This is the exact opposite goal of TKD in which you are trying to maximize the force of impact.

So what is one to do?

Find the common ground.

In Taekwondo, as well as in running, there is a huge focus on perseverance. TKD is more long term perseverance. It is about knowing that an adversity today will pass. It will become unimportant in time, unless you give up. If you give up, that adversity became everything about your experience.

Running (to me at least) is all about perseverance in the moment. When things get tough in a race, you strive to not let them get in your way. You strive to do everything you can to finish as strong as you started.

(WHAT IS HE DRAGGING ON ABOUT!?)

Running and taekwondo combined can result in an attitude of determination. This attitude can then be applied to everything. There is nothing in your way once you find this determination.

By: Nicole Lacoste

Nicole Lacoste — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Oh I would love to try this. I have two girls and its so hard to juggle working out and kids. I'll try to find a place we can do this together near me. Thanks!

By: Cody R.

Cody R. — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

i've been looking for martial arts...but not for sport...

maybe traditional TKD but eh...

the more articles i see about stuff like this, the more anxious i get to find the right dojo....bleh

By: cody r.

cody r. — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Travis W. Rigg.

not to start an argument, just adding from my last post, the traditional has the punches and the throws, while the olympic sport is only kicks...

but yea, i do see benefits of TKD for the mental and conditioning aspect,

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Saundra Tosh.

Thanks Saundra!

By: Travis W. Rigg

Travis W. Rigg — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Cody R..

Traditional TKD and the sport of TKD are one and the same. There are, however, two different branches of TKD that have been practiced since the 1960s. The branching happened not long after the rediscovery/reinvention of TKD in the 1950s. WTF style TKD is purely sparring. ITF style TKD is about both forms and sparring.

As a runner who got into running from TKD, it's a bit of an obsessive passion of mine. The things that people take from TKD for me are far less about the strength and the balance. To me, it's all about the tenants of TKD (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit).

Though I completely agree, finding the martial art the suits you is purely up to you. I have a friend who swears by northern Shaolin style Gong-fu. I have another who absolutely loves Ba Gua. Both of the styles exemplified by those martial arts are purely against my line of thinking. That's one of the great things about martial arts, though. What you take from them is an expression of your personality, especially if you take the spiritual part of them seriously.

Anywho... that's my rant. Congrats to anyone who took the time to read it.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Travis W. Rigg.

Very well put. I would add that though running is a fluid movement, it also involves form that can be improved such that running becomes more efficient and powerful, as well as less prone to causing injury. I thing this is a strong parallel between the two. It does lack the snap and emphasis on crisp power involved in forms, though this may even apply to some degree in sprinting where the goal is to maximize speed and force applied to the ground with each step.
Sent from my iPad