Limiting belief # 2 Running is a mechanical process and
running improvement is based on external measurements. We need to explore internal sensations to
improve.
With this belief in the external we use our watch,
stopwatch, GPS, and running log as our measurement of success. When we treat ourselves as machines, we have
already presupposed injury. What do we
do with #1 can we really lay a foundation for improvement. Once we have learned to explore the easy,
then we can learn to explore the powerful.
Try this. Stand
comfortably and in a relaxed manner. Squeeze both glutes powerfully many times.
What did you notice? If you started out in a relaxed stance you probably
noticed that the pelvis moved forward and that your hips came forward more than
is necessary for good standing. If you imagined a pencil sticking out of your
navel you would have seen the pencil begin to point upward a bit as your pelvis
shifted. You would also have noticed the movement you experienced traveled from
your feet to your head. Now walk around the room a bit. Now come back to standing. Step out with the
left foot and bend both the left and right knees slightly. Be sure to stand in
a relaxed manner. This time start out slowly and keep the effort level low so
that you can sense what is happening. Squeeze only the right glute. Notice what
begins to happen in the right knee, and then notice what is happening in the
left knee. Have your arms bent and the
left hand by the left hip and the right hand close to the right chest. What is
happening in the spine? Do this movement many times. Now let all these
sensations go and walk around a bit. Now go out for a short run. Perhaps this
run will have a slight up hill. What did
you feel in you run? Without effort did
you feel a bit more connection to the ground? Was it any easier to run uphill?
Did you feel a bit more power?
Limiting belief #3 Running is automatic
If we feel that running is automatic. That means we are on
autopilot. Being on autopilot means we are satisfied with the habits that we
have developed and are not paying attention to the possibility of new learning.
This is a leading cause of running injuries. You know the phrase “listen to
your body”? That is a simple saying yet developing this skill may take years. We
get injured because we are not paying attention and when we are, we do not know
what the messages that we are getting mean. Eventually if you pay enough
attention you will know what your weak points are. You will also have been
enough in touch with what you were doing that when you find stress in an area
the next day, you will have remembered feeling of the pattern that caused that
stress and you will be able to change something.
Above all as your awareness increases you will have a more
accurate picture of yourself as you really are, and you will know how to expand
your movement possibilities. If you run
to compete, awareness is a mighty tool for accomplishing your goals. If you want to run injury free, paying
attention and developing self knowledge are absolutely essential. If you run for self expression and as part of
a healthy life then the deeper aspects of moving with less effort which means
not struggling with or denying your true self, and continually learning in your
body and mind what makes you strong and how are your foundation for success.
“Find your true weakness and surrender to it. Therein lies
the path to genius. Most people spend their lives using their strengths to
overcome or cover up their weaknesses. Those few who use their strengths to
incorporate their weaknesses, who don’t divide themselves, those people are
very rare. In any generation there are a few and they lead their generation. ”
Moshe Feldenkrais
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