Barefoot Running

For years running has been heralded as one of the most affordable sports. “All you need is a pair of good running shoes, and the willingness to train, and you’re on your way!” This is in contrast to other sports that require far more equipment and more complex training facilities.
These days, we see an exaggeration away from the simplicity of the good ole days, and, in fact, the exaggeration goes in both directions. In one direction running has spiraled into a complex mathematical hyper-equation to be solved with GPS wrist watches, online mapping programs, and race chips to track your time. It’s only natural that the minimalists among us would scoff at all this excess stuff, reminding everyone to “just get out and run…..just grab your shoes and…..wait a minute….what’s that….don’t even grab the shoes….just…..get out…..and……run???” You don't need a fancy watch, heart rate monitor or online map....you don't even need SHOES!
What I’m speaking about here is the new trend of barefoot running, which has been gaining incredible momentum after the release of Christopher Mcdouggall’s popular book “Born to Run,” which chronicles his time spent running with tarahumara indians, a tribe of super runners who wear nothing but thin sandals while running 100s of miles at a time.
The goal of the Sisu Project is to support you running safely and efficiently so you can achieve things you never thought possible. This post is the first of many that will provide sensible information for you regarding proper footwear.
First we will begin with a look at both sides of the argument (and it is becoming quite the heated debate!)

Claims made by shoe companies, doctors, coaches etc. as to why you need shoes may include but not be limited to:
Protection from glass, rocks, and otherwise sharp objects
Cushioning
Pronation control/Stability
Protection from weather

Claims made by barefooters as to why you need to run barefoot may include but not be limited to:
Shoes change your gait and will cause injury
Running in shoes is not natural
You will automatically run in proper form if you run barefoot
Wearing shoes will cause your feet to atrophy
Running barefoot will increase your feel of the ground creating better mind/body connection

I’m going to assume that the majority of readers are currently running the majority of their mileage in shoes. If you are currently injured or not running to your potential, there are many factors you should look at before throwing away your running shoes. I would like to put out a word of caution that going barefoot can lead to a world of pain and trouble.
As a ChiRunning and Yoga instructor I am all about finding balance. I do not find it sensible for the majority of runners to throw away their running shoes and do all of their running barefoot. There are, however, some decent points brought up by the barefoot community. Is it possible to have the best of both worlds?

If you take the time to learn and practice ChiRunning and Yoga you can get the same benefits of barefoot running without the high risk of pain and injury.

“Shoes change your gait and cause injury”
Shoes don’t change your gait. Shoes ALLOW you to change your gait. One major flaw in the barefoot messaging is their inability to take personal accountability for the hardships they suffered while running in shoes. Cushioned shoes allow you to swing your legs in front of you and land with your heel in front of your hips. This is one of the first things ChiRunning aims to correct. I have seen hundreds of ChiRunners running in shoes, landing with their foot directly under their hips. Shoes don’t cause you to do anything, they allow you to change your gait (whether you are aware of it or not is another story.)

“You will automatically run in proper form if you run barefoot”
This again, is not true, and reveals another huge flaw in the barefoot messaging. Most of the articles and blog posts on the issue make the claim that barefoot running will automatically have you running in proper form, yet the authors go on to suggest many elements of foot strike and form, most of which are very similar to ChiRunning (slight forward lean, peeling the foot of the ground, relaxed lower legs, foot strike under hips.) It is true that most people will probably not overstride while running barefoot but to say they will automatically run in proper form is a huge stretch. If you want to learn proper form, learn ChiRunning and practice the form focuses diligently.

“Wearing shoes will cause the muscles of your feet to atrophy”
This is true, and the tighter the shoe, the more the muscles will weaken over time. It is also true that walking and running barefoot will strengthen the muscles of the feet, however, as stated above, this comes with extreme risk and a reduction in training. If you want to strengthen the muscles of you feet safely, I recommend doing Yoga, specifically balance postures. If you want to really strengthen the feet, get a stability disc and do balance postures and lunges on it. It really is as simple as that.

"Running barefoot will increase your feel of the ground, creating better mind/body connection"
You don't need to go barefoot to increase your mind/body connection as ChiRunning offers many form focuses that will provide the same result; increased body awareness. If you want to really go deep into your body, a good Yoga, Tai Chi, and/or meditation practice will complement your ChiRunning even further. While running barefoot will increase your feeling of the ground, for some of us this is not going to be pleasant, just like grabbing a hot pan from the oven without a mitt will increase your awareness of the heat, stepping on a rock barefoot will increase your awareness of jagged objects.

This is a very brief introduction to this vast topic. Post any comments or questions you may have or email me at SteezSP@yahoo.com
I will be posting a guide to finding the right shoe soon so stay tuned for that, and in the meantime run smart.

Your Time

Hockey was my first sport, and I still miss flying up and down the ice. I long for the days of blue line, back; red line, back; far blue line, back; all the way down, all the way back sprints and pond hockey followed by hot chocolate and chili.

Still a fan of the sport, I have the movie "Miracle" listed among my favorites. The story of the 1980 USA Hockey team is one for the ages, and I still get chills when I hear the famous call of Al Michaels the last ten seconds of the game against the Soviets.

With that being said, I came across this video when someone posted it on Facebook. If you've seen the movie, this is when Herb Brooks gives his pre-game speech in the minutes before the Americans take the ice against the Soviets. This version, however, is a little different. Enjoy!



Jeff

Prana - The one nutrient behind everything

If you have ever been to a yoga class or seen some earthy crunchy types walking around you've may encountered this word, Prana, before. This is not some mystical cult or voodoo magic that is practiced by a secret society. It simply means energy. Energy is the one thing that exists and has always existed, as far as we can tell. There is no explanation for it, energy is just there and always will be! I like the word Prana, because it sounds cool and I got admit I own a couple of those shirts with the cool logo I posted above.

The Kripalu Psychologist Stephen Cope describes Prana like this:

Prana is life force - the stuff of those million, zillion stars circling and exploding. Human beings receive it directly into the body through the air. We take it in other ways as well - through live foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, through fresh water, through living, breathing, trees and vegetation, and, if we are open to it through the love of other people and creatures. We probably take it in more mysterious ways, too, I think - through music, the sound of inspiring words, and perhaps through beautiful sights

Prana - is the first and most essential nutrient. In many ways Prana is what this blog is all about. As Mr. Cope said we can get prana from eating fresh and living foods but also through a myriad of other ways. Make sure you are getting your daily reccomended dose of Prana each and every day. Consider the amount of energy that is pulsing through your food when you are packing or picking out a lunch. Ask yourself if you are actually breathing in enough air each and every day. And for Prana's sake laugh and give someone a hug...even if it is just your dog....or a tree...just do it! Okay, maybe I've been wearing these Prana shirt's a little too much but I guarantee it will make you feel better.

Stay Positive,

Matthew

Wherever you are is a great place to start!

Hello SP,

I am so glad you decided to read my blog today. Discovering the depth of what is possible is the most fascinating subject to me. We often look to athletes and geniuses to witness amazing feats of both body and mind. Usain Bolt, the great sprinter, just ran 100 meters in 9.69 seconds! We see the leaps being made in technology on a daily basis and marvel at what human minds are able to think up.

What we often forget is that these possibilities are within ourselves as well. Within each person's DNA lies vast human potential. We all experience momentary flashes of genius and find ourselves capable of amazing feats in our lifetime. These are not just chance encounters with adrenaline, luck or divine intervention. This is our inner self reminding us we are fully capable of anything we can possibly dream up.

Human beings are equipped with phenemonal intellect and imaginative capabilities. We were also blessed with a body that could perform an inexhaustible amount of functions. The tools are there to build your dreams, all we need to do is hammer a way a little bit each day. A vision becomes realized when it is held in the mind and transferred through our neurons to every cell in our body. We can literally feel our fingers and toes curl with inspiration.

Here are some of the visions that pass through my mind that I intend to bring into reality. What are some of yours?

1. Run a Half Marathon (Philadelphia 2009!)
2. Run a Marathon (Boston 2012!)
3. Own a beautiful home (In the Merrimack Valley!)
4. Earn a Master's Degree (Counseling or Education!)
5. Earn plenty of money doing something I love
6. Speak and Write professionally
7. Have a beautiful, healthy and happy family that is well taken care of
8. Eat the best and highest quality food for my body
9. Serve others in the most honorable way I possibly can
10. Make a lasting impression on every person I meet

What ten things do you want to accomplish? Can you name five? What is one thing you really want to accomplish? I look forward to supporting you.

Stay Positive,

Matthew

A New World Record!!

Move over Usain Bolt, there's a new 100m World Record record and it was set by a resident of Cincinnati!

Sarah is an eight year old Cheetah from the Cincinnati Zoo. Even as a middle aged cat she still had the strength and speed to set a new standard for all land mammals in the 100 meters! Check it out!



Her time SHATTERS Bolts World Record by 3 seconds... And she doesn't even have those cool racing flats on!!

... but do you think they had her take a Drug Test?
:)


-Caitlyn

Do you believe in me?

As a teacher, the start of the school year is a whirlwind of activities. My principal showed this video to the staff today as we prepped for the arrival of students tomorrow. The young man speaking is in front of 20,000 educators from the Dallas Independent School District in Dallas, Texas.

While not running related, it certainly is applicable to anything in life. Watch and be inspired by this young man!

--Jeff

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the SISU Project running blog!  The SISU Project is a New England based running team built on the foundation of health and wellness.  In fact , we are the first and only New England running team built fully around wellness running.  You may be wondering, “what exactly is wellness running?”

Wellness running removes the stressful focus on external goals and places the attention entirely within each individual runner.  If this sounds confusing…don’t worry!  This blog is here to support, guide, and inspire you to run pain free and gain energy from running, rather than having running deplete and destroy you.  When approached correctly, running is a joyous, exhilarating feeling and we aim to share this with as many people as possible.

There are several themes you will find in the SISU Project blog, among them are: Heath Counseling, Yoga, and ChiRunning.  These three practices form the foundation of our wellness running approach.

We have many great things planned for you.  Here are just a few of the things we  plan to share within this space:

Tips for running pain and injury free

Applying Yoga to your running practice

Tips for nourishing your body to achieve optimal health and vitality

Questioning many of the traditional beliefs and approaches to running

Exposing why so many runners frequently hurt themselves

Reviewing products that may (or may not) help your running practice

Sharing laughter

 

That’s all for now.  Check back with us often and also check out our website, www.sisuproject.com to learn more.