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On Saturday I was talking to participants of #100dayschallenge organised by @SandeepMall .
In this thread I have put together points I had raised, and some more. I wrote the attached column a decade ago. When in doubt, go back to the basics.
1/21
In this thread I have put together points I had raised, and some more. I wrote the attached column a decade ago. When in doubt, go back to the basics.
1/21
BABY STEPS: We not only were born to run, but as sperms we ran to be born. Movement is a basic instinct of being human. No one can teach you to walk or run. Butt you sit for decades on your back side & forget how to move. You need to be reminded. No cheetah was ever coached.
2/21
2/21
SLOW IS SMOOTH, SMOOTH IS FAST. - Shooter movie
Let us re-learn to become smooth the way we all were as children. Don't rush. And soon you'll become fast too.
Most make the mistake of rushing and then soon get hurt. Slow down.
3/21
Let us re-learn to become smooth the way we all were as children. Don't rush. And soon you'll become fast too.
Most make the mistake of rushing and then soon get hurt. Slow down.
3/21
TURN TO JELLY
When you resist, clench your teeth & tighten your muscles in an effort to go faster, you are becoming less efficient runner. Learn to let go. Relax. Loosen those shoulders. Let those arms move freely. Legs will automatically move better.
4/21
When you resist, clench your teeth & tighten your muscles in an effort to go faster, you are becoming less efficient runner. Learn to let go. Relax. Loosen those shoulders. Let those arms move freely. Legs will automatically move better.
4/21
HOLD IMAGINARY PAPPADS / POTATO CHIPS IN YOUR HANDS
Have your grip such that pappad or chips don't crumble, i.e. have a loose grip. This will help relax your elbows, shoulders and upper body. It'll help you breathe & move better.
5/21
Have your grip such that pappad or chips don't crumble, i.e. have a loose grip. This will help relax your elbows, shoulders and upper body. It'll help you breathe & move better.
5/21
'It's not the fall that kills you, Sherlock. Of all the people, you should know that, it's not the fall, it's never the fall. It's the landing.' - Prof. Moriarty
You need to learn how to land softly.
6/21
You need to learn how to land softly.
6/21
REMOVE YOUR EAR/HEAD PHONES: LISTEN TO YOUR FOOTSTEPS
You need to learn to listen to yourself before you expect others to listen to you. (yes, philosophical too)
Listen to your footsteps. If you can hear them, you are too loud. Become even gentler.
7/21
You need to learn to listen to yourself before you expect others to listen to you. (yes, philosophical too)
Listen to your footsteps. If you can hear them, you are too loud. Become even gentler.
7/21
SKIPPING / SPOT JOGGING
Your landing will become better when you start skipping and spot jogging. It soon becomes a habit and you then take it to your running too.
Don't focus too much on which part of the foot you are landing on, just be soft.
8/21
Your landing will become better when you start skipping and spot jogging. It soon becomes a habit and you then take it to your running too.
Don't focus too much on which part of the foot you are landing on, just be soft.
8/21
ANIMALS WHILE WALKING-RUNNING ARE SOFT ON THEIR FEET
Never give your body weight as an excuse. Check videos of elephants, hippopotamus etc. They are always soft on their feet. Learn from nature. Be gentle. After all, it's your body. You have to live with it till you die.
9/21
Never give your body weight as an excuse. Check videos of elephants, hippopotamus etc. They are always soft on their feet. Learn from nature. Be gentle. After all, it's your body. You have to live with it till you die.
9/21
YOU DON'T NEED TO FIT INTO RUNNING SHOES, THEY NEED TO FIT YOU
Most of us feel obliged to find place for our feet in those tight shoes, which most of the running shoes sold in India are. Before anything, shoes need to be comfortable. Walk and jog in them.
10/21
Most of us feel obliged to find place for our feet in those tight shoes, which most of the running shoes sold in India are. Before anything, shoes need to be comfortable. Walk and jog in them.
10/21
STABILITY vs NEUTRAL vs MINIMALIST vs BAREFEET SHOES
Rather than focusing on your tools i.e. shoes first, first relearn to move better. Most adverts are selling a gimmick. Once you know how to move better, most shoes will work well for you.
11/21
Rather than focusing on your tools i.e. shoes first, first relearn to move better. Most adverts are selling a gimmick. Once you know how to move better, most shoes will work well for you.
11/21
IF RUNNING IS YOUR LOVE, STRENGTH TRAINING IS YOUR MOM/POP-IN-LAW
Strength training is crucial to improve your form, reduce your injuries and make you a better runner. Your muscles move you. Once you get them going, it'll all seem second nature to you, the way it should be.
12/21
Strength training is crucial to improve your form, reduce your injuries and make you a better runner. Your muscles move you. Once you get them going, it'll all seem second nature to you, the way it should be.
12/21
WORK-IN, DON'T WORK-OUT
Become your best friend. Run to make that connect with your deeper self. Run because you love it. Don't fight it or compete with anyone else. It's all and only about you. Let go. Look within.
13/21
Become your best friend. Run to make that connect with your deeper self. Run because you love it. Don't fight it or compete with anyone else. It's all and only about you. Let go. Look within.
13/21
KEEP YOUR BREATHING SLOW AND EASY
Focus on breathing, and heart rate will sort itself out. Gadgets you wear are useless if you don't listen to your own body. Soon you'll be running better.
14/21
Focus on breathing, and heart rate will sort itself out. Gadgets you wear are useless if you don't listen to your own body. Soon you'll be running better.
14/21
FIRST BREATH, LAST BREATH: DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED
If you can't breathe well while lying down or sitting, how do you expect to breathe well while running. Focus on easily slow breathing in & out while you are at rest. It'll soon become 2nd nature & you'll soon fly away.
15/21
If you can't breathe well while lying down or sitting, how do you expect to breathe well while running. Focus on easily slow breathing in & out while you are at rest. It'll soon become 2nd nature & you'll soon fly away.
15/21
RUN AT THE PACE OF YOUR BREATHING, NOT YOUR WATCH
When you learn to control your breathing, you'll be able to run better. It'll start with slow. Then you'll become smooth. And then you become faster and fly away.
16/21
When you learn to control your breathing, you'll be able to run better. It'll start with slow. Then you'll become smooth. And then you become faster and fly away.
16/21
BAREFOOT RUNNING
If you don't know how to run yet, rather have forgotten, please don't run barefoot. First get comfortable moving. Once you do that, then it doesn't matter what you wear or not to run. Not that it matters now.
17/21
If you don't know how to run yet, rather have forgotten, please don't run barefoot. First get comfortable moving. Once you do that, then it doesn't matter what you wear or not to run. Not that it matters now.
17/21
NUTRITION: YOUR HOME FOOD IS THE MOST IMPORTANT
Supplements are called that for a reason. They supplement a good diet. They don't make a bad diet good. Eat well. Most of us don't need super foods to exercise and run.
18/21
Supplements are called that for a reason. They supplement a good diet. They don't make a bad diet good. Eat well. Most of us don't need super foods to exercise and run.
18/21
PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT, NOT PERFECT
If you do more of the same, you just master whatever you have been doing, good or bad.
Spending decades doing the same walk-run only makes it a habit. After a while it doesn't improve you.
19/21
If you do more of the same, you just master whatever you have been doing, good or bad.
Spending decades doing the same walk-run only makes it a habit. After a while it doesn't improve you.
19/21
3 COVID MUSKETEERS: MASK, HAND WASH, SOCIAL DISTANCING
Please do these basics at all times. We all are immortal-till-we-die & treatment of COVID is a lot more expensive than cremation or burial. So pls do take all the precautions. Whether vaccine works or not, pls take it.
20/21
Please do these basics at all times. We all are immortal-till-we-die & treatment of COVID is a lot more expensive than cremation or burial. So pls do take all the precautions. Whether vaccine works or not, pls take it.
20/21
KEEP MILING & SMILING
Remember that 1 without another is lousy. You need to put that smile on, artificial works too. When other smile back at you, you'll really smile. It'll also help u relax your muscles. You can then run all you want & as fast as you possibly can.
21/21
Remember that 1 without another is lousy. You need to put that smile on, artificial works too. When other smile back at you, you'll really smile. It'll also help u relax your muscles. You can then run all you want & as fast as you possibly can.
21/21
