I did a brick workout today. I’m not actively training for any races right now, but it was my day to run and it was also a really nice day for a bike ride (rare with the chilly weather we’ve been having). Also, I was curious to see if I could maintain my 10k run pace after riding my bike for 20 miles. Supposedly, the Chi Running method allows you to run better after biking because the ChiRunning doesn’t use your quads much.
So, here’s how it went:
Bike 22.2 miles, 1:28, 15 mph AVS (on rolling hills)
Run 6 miles, 1:03 (again, with the freakin’ rolling hills)
Last time I ran the same 6 mile course, I did it in 1:02, so I was pretty pleased with my run today š
It was definitely alot easier to get off the bike and run using the Chi running method, except for going up hills. I definitely felt the fatigue in my quads going uphill (I don’t think you can run uphill without using your quads!) It was hard to resist the temptation to stop and walk up them, but I did. The last 2 miles was also hard…it took a lot of mental energy to keep on going at the same pace as fatigue was setting in all around! I kept chanting crazy stuff in my head like “Let my chi do the work for my legs”. I’m not even sure I believe in the Chi Energy stuff (tho I do believe in the biomechanics part of it!). Actually, focusing on letting my chi do the work for my legs worked, so maybe there’s something to it.
Feeling kind of tired now, but no pain in my leg joints. My quads feel very fatigued from the biking.
I am a true believer in Chi Running!
Update July 29, 2006: I have recently changed my mind about ChiRunning, and now follow the Pose Method of running. Click here to read why. Pose Running also has the benefit of feeling easier to run off the bike!