“Run like a child”
People think they know how to run “properly” whereas usually it’s only what they have been taught is correct running style; a westernised urban stylised limiting mechanical way of running.
Consider a child.
A little child runs with a free flowing, instinctive, varying, adaptable, natural way of running. Pleasing to the eye. Aesthetic.
That is, until they are taught the “correct” way to run.
Then they can choose to run in a robotic, stiff, emotionless way, arms rigid, knees up, face expressionless.
I suppose you can still run fastish that way, but is that living?
Better to pour out running effort in relaxed self expression, re-learning the inborn and intuitive running styles we were meant to develop.
Can you learn a bad style?
Case 1. Observe a child at play. See the easy and quick way they run about. Then if the child is old enough, ask them to run “like an athlete”. If they have been “taught” how an athlete runs, they will cramp up their body and run like an automaton, military style, all strain, no instinct.
Case 2. Observe someone who works as a milko going for a run. What’s the bet he holds his arms down to his sides, one arm lower than the other?
Case 3. Observe a keen cross country skier. Does he run with a very strong pulling action, arms straight through?
Yes, you will discover in each case, a bad style has been learned.
Then can you unlearn a bad style?
Yes but it is very hard. It doesn’t feel right so people give up easily. It takes time because neural pathways, muscle movement habits, have developed and won’t change unless something drastic happens. And I also think you should try and develop a good style rather than dismantle a bad one. The good one will replace the bad one in time.
Because it can be hard to change, particularly for people who have been running for a while, a key is to practise practise practise.
And it is a good idea to run with others whose styles are good! Your style may alter to become like theirs. As long as you don’t corrupt theirs first!
What does a good style look like?
Stay tuned. There are eight more “form principles” to come.
But for now, when you run, become as a little child, see everything as new. Experience again spontaneity and the joy of discovery and self expression.
Form Principle #1 was “Relaxation”.
Form Principle #2 – Run like a child.
People think they know how to run “properly” whereas usually it’s only what they have been taught is correct running style; a westernised urban stylised limiting mechanical way of running.
Consider a child.
A little child runs with a free flowing, instinctive, varying, adaptable, natural way of running. Pleasing to the eye. Aesthetic.
That is, until they are taught the “correct” way to run.
Then they can choose to run in a robotic, stiff, emotionless way, arms rigid, knees up, face expressionless.
I suppose you can still run fastish that way, but is that living?
Better to pour out running effort in relaxed self expression, re-learning the inborn and intuitive running styles we were meant to develop.
Can you learn a bad style?
Case 1. Observe a child at play. See the easy and quick way they run about. Then if the child is old enough, ask them to run “like an athlete”. If they have been “taught” how an athlete runs, they will cramp up their body and run like an automaton, military style, all strain, no instinct.
Case 2. Observe someone who works as a milko going for a run. What’s the bet he holds his arms down to his sides, one arm lower than the other?
Case 3. Observe a keen cross country skier. Does he run with a very strong pulling action, arms straight through?
Yes, you will discover in each case, a bad style has been learned.
Then can you unlearn a bad style?
Yes but it is very hard. It doesn’t feel right so people give up easily. It takes time because neural pathways, muscle movement habits, have developed and won’t change unless something drastic happens. And I also think you should try and develop a good style rather than dismantle a bad one. The good one will replace the bad one in time.
Because it can be hard to change, particularly for people who have been running for a while, a key is to practise practise practise.
And it is a good idea to run with others whose styles are good! Your style may alter to become like theirs. As long as you don’t corrupt theirs first!
What does a good style look like?
Stay tuned. There are eight more “form principles” to come.
But for now, when you run, become as a little child, see everything as new. Experience again spontaneity and the joy of discovery and self expression.
Form Principle #1 was “Relaxation”.
Form Principle #2 – Run like a child.
