I hear it all the time from Crossfitters: “I hate running” and “Running is not really a CrossFit exercise.” I can relate to comments like these. In fact, when my son started CrossFit at MCC recently, I gave him the following advice: “Pray for lousy weather, because if it’s nice outside, they might make us run.”
CrossFit is defined as constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity across broad time and modal domains. When you think about it objectively, there are very few movements that are more “functional” than running. In your life outside of the gym, you are likely to come across the need to run more often than the need to pull yourself up over a high fence, lift a very heavy object off the floor or overhead, etc. In addition, if you are following the Main Site WOD, you will frequently come across runs at various distances: the 400M run in ‘Helen’, the 800M run in ‘Michael’, the Mile runs in ‘Murph’, not to mention the WODs that are solely comprised of running, such as the 100M Sprints, the 5K, and even the 10K (which has made several appearances in the WOD).
It is interesting that we Crossfitters spend some much time working on technique for the other basic functional human movements like squatting and lifting heavy objects off the ground, so why does the idea of refining running technique sounds so foreign? CrossFit endorses a very effective running technique called POSE. In my opinion, we should all commit time to learn and incorporate the key elements of this technique into our running. POSE may not make you a faster runner, but it will definitely make you a more efficient runner, thereby improving your overall time in benchmark WOD’s such as Helen. More importantly, it will also clearly help reduce running related injuries and general wear and tear on your body which comes from running improperly.
For those of you who are interested, I will run a few POSE Running Technique clinics at MCC. This will be limited to 5 – 6 participants at a time and it will entail an assessment of your current running form, as well as teaching the skills and drills to help you run much more efficiently.
Jim Smith
Jim’s first running clinic will be Saturday, July 11th. I’m not 100% sure if we are going to do it at 10:30 as part of the WOD or immediately following. I’ll let everybody know. Please talk to Matt, Vinny or Myself if you are interested.
Regards,
JD
I want in on the running clinic! Holla!
Run JD Run!!!!
Since I’m one of those CrossFitters who whine about running in WODs, I’m definately interested in the running clinic! Carey….maybe it will help us in the Muddy Buddies the next day 🙂
That’s funny Cara! That’s exactly what Carey said to me yesterday!! Looks like you guys are on the same page…
Carey,
Stop saying “Holla”.
You think bad weather is going to prevent us from having you guys run?
Me thinks we’re going to be running in the pouring rain some day in the future 🙂 Pray for nice weather.
Holla… Holla… Holla… Holla! Now what you got to say, JD?
alloh alloh alloh… see I can say weird strange things that make no sense too!
Can I get a woot woot??!!
Is there any space in this clinic? If so what time is it at??? I am hoping for rain!!!!
I definately need all the running help I can get. Will there be another clinic I’ll be out of town for the 7/11/09 please let me know
Sherry – you’re good to go. So far we have Carey and Cara and a few ‘Maybe’s’. I’ll put up a list on the whiteboard…
Jen. Depending on the turnout for the first one there will be another.