This Is How Records Are Broken

Above is a picture of Perry Newburn who just ran across the country from New York to Los Angles in record time. He turned 60 years old during the run.  How did he do it?  That is what I wondered today. I didn’t just wonder in a general way about how much humans can do. I wondered specifically what was he doing with his self organization, his running form. I watched video on youtube of Perry running. There is an overall sense of efficient movement over the ground when you watch him. Then the details – He was great movement in the shoulders, hips, and spine, no over striding. My impression is that he moves like someone who is comfortable with himself and what he is attempting to do. He looks like he comfortably rotates gently down the road (yes, I know he must be tired) but like all masters, he makes it looks easy. Thank you Perry, by expressing your gift you have inspired on a basic human level and have also spoken to points I would like to improve in my running. 

Let us all give a big congratulations to Perry on his accomplishment!!!!!  

Try this:

Have a friend read this to you or do this by yourself. Pause at times to notice more.

I have mentioned this basic movement before, but let us go back to it afresh. Stand upright and relax. Now swing your arms in a loose, relaxed arc around yourself, to the left and to the right. Pay attention to doing this movement in a loose easy manner. Now notice that this movement can be felt throughout the entire body from head to foot. Make the motion smaller, lighter, easier. Can you feel that the movement starts in the shoulders and arms?  Can you notice what happens in the feet? Can you notice that there is a different movement in the left foot than the right foot as you swing your arms lightly? Most importantly can you notice the movement in your spine, in your waist, in your hips?  Can you lessen the movement in the arms and shoulders and bring more awareness to what moves in the middle of you?  Whatever you feel in the spine and waist, can you make that easier to do by letting go of whatever rigidity you normally hold here. Now most importantly can you make this an integrated movement with no one part of the body being emphasized more than any other?  Now bend your arms to 90 degrees or more. Begin a gentle rotating movement again. Of course the arms will not cross the midline. Make this more and more integrated from head to foot.  Experiment gently. Remember it is easy to overdue things we are giving new attention to. Play with this movement. Now watch the video of Perry below and then take it for a run. Have fun! J

Watch the youtube video here:

http://youtu.be/oVO5JkvK_Is