Improving Skill By Sensing Differences.
Many animals, especially four legged animals, are born with the ability to run faster than humans. Humans have immense adaptability. No other animal has the ability to refine movement, and develop their movement repertoire to the extent that humans can. For a humorous and informative look at this watch . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wbVIgVi66k
In fact you could say that what
defines us as humans is a complex nervous system that makes possible a vast
amount of learning. You could say that to learn and increase skill is to be
human or to demonstrate humanness. To be sure, animals can learn self
awareness. The ability to observe ourselves and abstract reasoning are more
highly developed in humans.
So what is it that improves our
running or any other skill or function? Is it 10,000 hours of practice? That
number has become a popular part of the discussion of the subject of mastery.
Is it 10,000 hours of practice? The answer is both yes and no. Yes it probably
does take that kind of commitment over time to really master something. Think
of the number of pole vaulters who start very early in life to learn the skill
of vaulting . But 10,000 hours of mindless repetition is probably not enough. Learning
is about making distinctions. We do something, observe what we have done, note
the result, and compare to what we want. Then we make changes. Over time this
kind of experimentation, this process of differentiating between one thing and
another produces learning.
In language we learn to
distinguish the word an from and. In math we learn to distinguish between the
number 1 and the number 2. These things
seem simple once achieved but there is an immense amount of learning involved
in order to make these simple distinctions. We learn ever more complex
distinctions for instance 1 + 2, ½, 2/1
and so on. We learn to walk and then we learn to add a further skill,
one that requires more confidence, the skill of running. At some point most of
us stop and say good enough and the learning process stops or slows.
But it could continue on closer
and closer to mastery.
Here is a beautiful example of great alignment and self
usage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWp-b3e2bZAyou
The picture above and the youtube
video show great use of the hips and great coordination of the entire person to
move forward with power. Note the
·
huge stride angle, the angle between the thighs
- · the rotation of the pelvis, the counterbalancing use of the arms
- · the use of ground forces, the horizontal running
- · the non compressed spine
- · the freedom of movement in the spine
- · the way the head follows and helps the running movement and yet is carried in a stable manner.
- · Note the flopping of the head from side to side in a less coordinated movement manner of one of the other runners.
- · Note the difference in skill level between Masterkova and the rest of the field.
- · Note the difference in the use of the hips in the rest of the field.
Perhaps Masterkova
is a good name for this master of the mile. (sorry about the pun)
Try this
- Do a short version of your normal speed or distance workout. Wait one day and repeat the same workout. Do it in the same way you always do it. Wait another day and warm up and do the following mini lesson.
- · Lie on your back with your legs stretched out long on the floor. Squeeze your glutes powerfully. Now squeeze only the right glute. Now squeeze only the left glute a number of times. Which one is more powerful?
- · Now squeeze both glutes again a few times. Can you feel the muscles thicken and the pelvis rise? What do your knees do? Do they move inward or outward?
- · Come to tall kneeling, and place your hands on your buttocks. Squeeze both buttocks powerfully a number of times. What happens in your pelvis. If there were a pencil in your navel can you sense that the tip of the pencil would rise when you squeeze your glutes?
- · Squeeze only the right glute a few times. Squeeze the left glue. Which one is more powerful. The stronger one will produce more movement in the pelvis. If the right glute is more powerful the pelvis will turn more to the left. Pay attention, can you tell any difference?
- · Now kneel on the right knee and place the left foot on the floor in front of the right knee with the knee bent and the sole of the foot flat on the floor. Squeeze the right glute. Notice that it is not possible to completely contract the left glue in this position. Switch the position of the legs.
- · Now stand and squeeze the glutes powerfully. Squeeze them powerfully and hold them that way for a few seconds. Which direction do you knees want to go, the outside or the inward? The glutes are powerful extendors of the hips. The knees will want to rotate outward when you squeeze the glutes. Notice that the knees straighten they do not bend when you squeeze. Where does the weight go on your feet when you squeeze the glutes?
- · Intentionally shift your weight to the outsides of your feet , turn your feet out slightly and allow the arches of your feet to rise as you squeeze your glutes. Squeeze the glutes very quickly and lightly. Go fast. Now squeeze them powerfully a large number of times. Now squeeze and hold.
You have given your brain a lot
of things to notice and compare. Now go for a short version of your normal
workout. The one you did the first time. Notice any changes. To learn we need
to make comparisons. The learning
process goes on….
If you are serious about
improving your running and moving toward mastery click here
Have fun with this article – best in your running – Scott
If you would like to read the free e-book The Runners
Body/Mind click here
Transcendent-running.com
If you have
questions call 541 536 4822
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