ChiRunning (Paperback)

by Danny Dreyer (Author), Katherine Dreyer (Contributor) "Not long ago, I was running past a grade school..." (more)
Key Phrases: grounding stance, perceived effort level, productive discomfort, T'ai Chi, Body Sensing, The Beauty of Learning (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Running coach/ultramarathon runner Dreyer's (Chi Walking) program applies principles of t'ai chi to running in a "practice" akin to yoga. Three how-to sessions cover principles and techniques and direct runners to perform specific movements; there are also guided training runs. Because this is an inherently visual, movement-based technique, it can only go so far, despite an otherwise successful adaptation to audio and the descriptive 33-page study guide. Listeners who bring open-mindedness and intention, however, will benefit from Dreyer's one-on-one lecture, which he delivers in a mellow, well-spoken voice. Recommended for all libraries.—Douglas C. Lord, Connecticut State Lib., Middletown
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Review
Toby Tanserauthor of "Train Hard, Win Easy"The most exciting and revolutionary book to hit the running community this decade.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Fireside; illustrated edition edition (March 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074325144X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743251440
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,276 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Sports > Individual Sports > Martial Arts > Taichi
  #4 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Tai Chi & Qi Gong
  #6 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Injury Prevention

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

429 of 432 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Your "Run" of the Mill Running Book, April 29, 2008

By	graham78 - See all my reviews

What an interesting running book! Buy this book if you:

-would like to be able to run well into your old age
-would like to improve your running form and have fewer injuries
-would like to have a more philosophical approach to your running
-would like to increase your overall health

Here's how the book roughly pans out:

-Chapter 1: compares power running to ChiRunning
-Chapter 2: goes into the 5 principles upon which TaiChi and ChiRunning are based
-Chapter 3: gets into the "inner" skills of ChiRunning

As you can see, the first 3 chapters lay out the philosopical foundation- that's so when you get to the specific techniques, they make sense.

Chaper 4: learn about the ChiRunning "focuses"- which are the specific physical and mental methods used to run more efficiently.

Chapters 5-9: covers program development, peak performance training and diet. Note: Chapter 7 also covers some info on common injuries such as muscle cramps, plantar fasciitis (also rec. The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution for more info on this), heel cord problems.

Chapter 10: how to incorporate the ChiRunning principles into your everyday life

As you can tell, ChiRunning, with its mind-body approach, is far from your typical book on running- and shouldn't be missed by any serious runner. Happy trails.

226 of 262 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Danny's Methods Gave Me Back My Running Life, May 7, 2004

By	Jerry L Fletcher (San Anselmo, CA United States) - See all my reviews

[...] This book is a brilliant print presentation of Danny's methods which are revolutionary. He deserves the much wider following he will get with this (his CD is great too).
My story: I've been a runner for 45 years. I nearly gave up running at age 57. The pain in my knees and lower back made me seriously think of quitting. I literally saw an ad in the newspaper for Danny's class and took it as a last resort. He was at the time in his 50's and a nationally ranked ultramarathoner. I figured he ought to know something about efficient running.
I learned his initial techniques in two hours. It took about five or six runs to feel comfortable with the changes in my stride, but from the first day, there was no back pain and such minimal knee pain at the end that I couldn't believe it. I've taken his advanced techniques workshops too (all in the book). The "sidewise" stride up steep hills is another brilliant technique that literally makes running hills fun.
I went from struggling to run for 30 minutes at a time to 1.5 hour runs on steep hills without pain. I'm not a ranked runner. I run for fitness, for weight control, and for the sheer joy of it. I did finish third in my age group in a local race a year ago -- first medal I've ever won (I'm 62 now). But I got my running life back, and that's priceless. I plan to be running into my 80's now -- pain free!
And for what it's worth, I have a doctorate and I'm trained in physics. Danny's techniques are scientifically valid. There's a spiritual side to his methods too. If you don't think running has a spiritual side, I feel sorry for you, but don't ignore his methods just because of that.
Jerry L Fletcher

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every runner should have this book!, February 25, 2006

By	Roberta - See all my reviews

I stumbled on this book by accident while researching Tai Chi books. I am so glad that I did! It's a well organized and fun to read book. It opened up a whole new realm of running to me. I ran for years and competed in small five and ten mile races and my longest event was a half marathon. I hurt my knee chasing my dog and was then reduced to walking and thought I wouldn't be able to run again. I missed running horribly, the world doesn't go by fast enough when you walk, if you are used to running. But the chi running book teaches a technique which utilizes different muscles, a different stance which is easier on the body and does not consist of pounding. The author has carefully enumerated an excellent technique to alleviate and prevent injury. Not only does it make sense to me as a long time runner, but it feels right when I do it and it's fun! The other day I was able to run 2.7 miles, it felt great and the next day I had no soreness, no knee pain, nothing but exhiliration and anticipation of my next wonderful run. I am slowly working back up to five mile runs. I would recommend this book to experienced runners who want to improve their techniques and spare their bodies injury, and I would recommend it to new runners who could start out with good form and minimize their lifetime chance of running injuries. I would also highly recommend it to injured runners like me and older runners (also like me.) You wouldn't think there could be anything new in running, I was pleasantly surprised, delighted even!