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ixty-five percent of all runners will have to stop running at least once every year due to injury. The ChiRunning technique offers a real solution to this high rate of injury and makes running not only safer, but also more efficient and more enjoyable for runners of all levels. Contained within the technique are movement principles found in t’ai chi, the mother of all martial arts. These guidelines are applied to running allowing you to bring your mind and body together to make the most of every move you make.
Marathon
March 19, 2010
Filed under Running Videos
36.Real,- Berlin Inline Marathon 2009
March 13, 2010
Filed under Running Videos
The 36th real,- Inline Berlin Marathon, 19.September 2009. Was held for the 36th time with 7.612 participants and wining time for the ladies in 01:14:47 and for the men 01:02:50. Remember to watch in HD, Enjoy! Results Men : 1) Saggiorato, Luca (ITA) – Rollerblade World Team 2) Guyader, Yann (FRA) – Powerslide Matter World Team 3) Diaz Granados, Christian (COL) – Powerslide Phuzion World Team 4) Zamudio, Nicolas (COL) – Powerslide Phuzion World Team 5) Ramali, Etienne (GER) – Team Orthomol-Sport Rollerblade 6) Tobon, Juan Nayib (COL) – ZEPTO Skate Team 7) Vidondo Fernandez, Inigo (ESP) – Marianistas Rollerblade Euskadi 
Bugari, Riccardo (ITA) – Luigino Atom World 9) Presti, Massimiliano (ITA) – Luigino Atom World 10) Cuncu, Elio (ITA) – Powerslide Matter World Team Result Women : 1) Baena, Cecilia (COL) – Powerslide Matter World Team 2) Turchiarelli, Giovanna (ITA) – Powerslide Matter World Team 3) Martinez, Kelly (COL) – Bont Wheel Team 4) Llorens, Tamara (ARG) – Bont Wheel Team 5) Vivas, Alexandra (COL) – Bont Wheel Team 6) Strüver, Tina (GER) World Inlinecenter Matter Team 7) Goovaerts, Hilde (BEL) – Team cadomotus Ulbrich, Katja (GER) – Experts Race Team 9) de Vries, Elma (NED) – Team cadomotus 10) Ghezzi, Laura (ITA) – Roseda Merate Team Song: Calvin Harris – I´m Not Alone Subscripe and rate!
London 1948 Marathon
February 23, 2010
Filed under Running Videos
BERLIN MARATHON 2010 Nr.3
January 29, 2010
Filed under Running Videos
JOIN the 37th of the BERLIN-MARATHON on September 25th/26th 2010. Over 40.000 runners and around 10.000 inline skaters will fill the streets of the German capital BERLIN on the last weekend in September. WELL COME
How Fast Can Usain Bolt Run?
October 22, 2009
Filed under Running
The IAAF World Championships begins in less than a month and all eyes will be on the 100m and 200m world record holder, Usain Bolt from Jamaica. We all remember the Beijing Olympics in 2008, when Bolt ran the 100m in 9.69 seconds, throwing out his arms and pumping his chest before crossing the line. There has been a lot of speculation about how fast he could have run with some suggesting a time of 9.55 seconds http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/news/story?id=3583692 .
The publishers of the study above, made use of video analysis to estimate this potential world record time. In fact they used video from Beijing Olympics broadcast productions from NBC, BBC and NRK (a Norwegian Channel). If you are a regular reader of our posts you will already know about many of the techniques they used to analyze the video. Lets look at how they did it.
When you or I setup to capture video of a sporting performance, we know how important the position of the camera is. In this case however the researchers did not have access to the stadium and athletes in Beijing and therefore had to make use of broadcast footage. In most cases this footage includes moving cameras and camera angles that are not always conducive to accurate measurement.
The publishers of the article used basic physics to estimate the possible finish time for Usain Bolt had he not celebrated 20 meters before crossing the line. The basic equations are well known:
Velocity (speed) = Distance/Time
Acceleration = Velocity/Time
So if we can find the distance Bolt covered and the time he took to cover that distance we would have his velocity or speed. We could measure that speed, from the video footage, over numerous intervals to determine how it is changing. Likewise, if we know his velocity (speed) we can measure his acceleration and how it changes over the same intervals.
The publishers of the study estimated Bolts speed and acceleration at the interval before he started to celebrate. At this point his speed and acceleration slow. To determine the predicted finishing time, the researchers assumed that Bolts acceleration could be maintained over the last 20 meters of the race, had he not celebrated. In this way they were able to predict a finishing time of 9.55 seconds.
You probably want to know how they were able to determine distance covered and the time it took. This information was all obtained from the broadcast video. The video used was from NBC and can be found at http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0824_HD_ATB_AU_CE552 . B
In the video you will see the camera rail running from the left to the right at the bottom of the image. This camera rail has bolts spaced evenly along it. By knowing the distance between the bolts on the track and that the start line is at 0 meters and the finish line at 100 meters, we can determine Usain Bolts position relative to the rail bolts at numerous intervals.
You will also see the stadium time clock and the broadcast time clock in the video. These clocks can be used to determine the time at which Bolt reached each interval.
We now have all the information we need. Distance covered and the time it took. From this we can determine his speed and acceleration at all intervals and predict his finishing time had he not begun his celebrations early.
We would like to thank the study authors H. K. Eriksen, J. R. Kristiansen, Ø. Langangen and I. K. Wehus for doing this fun study and we look forward to seeing whether Usain Bolt can get anywhere close to this predicted World record at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin in August.
Please let us know if you want more details on this study or just want to leave a comment. We love to hear from you.
Dudley Tabakin is Co-Founder of Sadaka, LLC http://videosportsanalysis.blogspot.com, a motion capture and biomechanics consultancy. Clients include FootJoy, Titleist, Warrior Hockey, Vicon Motion Systems, Innovision Systems Inc. and other Sports and Motion capture and biomechanics software companies
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/track-and-field-articles/how-fast-can-usain-bolt-run-1060565.html
The Start: Video Analysis of Track Sprinting
October 22, 2009
Filed under Running
In the 100m and 200m track sprinting events, the start can win or lose a race. In the 100m the winning difference is often measured in 100ths of a second, therefore any advantage that can be gained at the start could be crucial.
At the IAAF World Championships next week, Tyson Gay will take on Usain Bolt for the title of worlds fastest man. So far in 2009 both athletes have put up some impressive times and the first meeting between them this year should be fast, close and exciting. Usain Bolt is the Olympic champion and world record holder. We have previously discussed how fast he could possibly run. Tyson Gay is the reigning World Champion and recently ran the 100m in 9.75 seconds at the US Championships.
With both athletes being at the top of their game, victory may be decided by their start. Neither of them is known for their explosive or fast starts. Bolt has an incredibly long stride length and eats up ground with each step while Gay has unmatched leg speed. The start though is crucial and we have therefore decided to look at some video and examine the start.
Below is some front on video of Tyson Gay at the US Championships. We want to focus on his start.
A good start requires that the athlete sets up correctly. Here are some key factors for the set position before the start gun sounds.
- The hands are set up on the line and the shoulders and upper body should lean forward over the hands. Track coaches suggest an angle of about 15 degrees (The angle between the shoulders and hands and the vertical). Although we cannot see the angle at which Gay is leaning (this would need a side on view of his start), we can see that he is leaning forward and ready to explode from the blocks.
- The angle of the knees in the start position must allow the athlete to push away from the blocks with as much power as possible while at the same time being able to get their feet through to begin running. The optimal bend of the front knee should be around 90 degrees to provide the biggest lever to produce push off. The back leg needs to be bent less than this at about 60 degree so that it is able to still push off hard but will straighten before the front leg and have time to come through for the first step.
- Both legs need to push off almost simultaneously at the start of the race. The athlete cannot be sitting back on either his front or back leg at the start.
Tyson Gay sets up well and in this video he explodes from the blocks, pushing off with both legs quickly. Both legs straighten completely, with the rear leg leaving the blocks and starting to drive through before his front leg (left leg) is completely straight.
Gay also uses his arms to explode out of the blocks, as well as maintain good balance. Watch as his right arm drives backward and his left forward. This motion provides extra forward momentum, but it also ensures that as he starts he does not fall over to one side. The arms act as a counter balance to the motion of the legs. In this start his right leg will take the first step on the track and therefore his left arm needs to be forward to balance this motion.
Moving forward to that first right foot step on the track, we can see that Gay's head and chest are still down low. His arms are driving hard and fast. If you pause the video you will see them as a blur. We can also see that his first step is not too long. In fact his head, chest and hips all remain in front of his foot for this first step. This allows him to continue to stay low with his body. If he took a longer first step, it would force his chest up, which would in turn slow down his speed. His chest and head stay down for as many as 16 steps allowing him to lean forward during this start and continue to accelerate.
His start technique looks great here and although we do not know what his reaction time to the gun was, we can see that he was able to accelerate well from the start and this is why he put up such a fast time.
As I looked through more videos on Tyson Gay's start, I came across one from tttjump that suggested that Gay's knee rolls forward at the start. If you study the slow motion of the start in the video above you will see what this means. Gay's front leg (his left) moves forward and down, in fact bends a little more, just after the start and as his hands leave the ground.
The suggestion is that this extra bend of the front knee at the gun, causes a delay in his ability to get off the blocks. On closer examination we can see that his back foot is driving already (straightening) as his front knee "rolls" forward. This may be causing him to push off with less power from his back leg as he may need to slow it down, to give the right leg time to get into a position to start its push off.
From a biomechanical standpoint, this would suggest that Gay's front leg is not bent to the most optimal position to explode out of the blocks. He may be bending it a little more after the start to get more push off power. The split second it takes to bend the knee that little bit more and the small amount of back foot push off power that he may lose, could determine the outcome of the race against a phenom like Usain Bolt.
Once again from the standpoint of biomechanics, this problem could possibly be solved by simply adjusting Tyson Gays starting blocks or position slightly, allowing his front knee to set up in a more optimal position for his starting style.
Of course for this World Championships, it is too late to make any changes and Tyson Gay should provide Usain Bolt some really stiff competition when they hopefully meet in the final in Berlin.
Dudley Tabakin is Co-Founder of Sadaka, LLC http://videosportsanalysis.blogspot.com, a motion capture and biomechanics consultancy. Clients include FootJoy, Titleist, Warrior Hockey, Vicon Motion Systems, Innovision Systems Inc. and other Sports and Motion capture and biomechanics software companies
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/track-and-field-articles/the-start-video-analysis-of-track-sprinting-1104537.html
ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-free Running
by Danny Dreyer
ChiRunning is a running form and philosophy that takes the pounding, pain and potential damage out of the sport of running. S
The T’ai Chi Connection
In T’ai Chi, correct postural alignment is used to allow chi, or life-force energy, to flow more freely throughout the body. When your body is out of alignment, it is like a bent pipe that restricts the flow of water. Much attention is also paid to loosening all of the other joints in the body by relaxing one’s muscles as much as possible during movement. Movement originates from one’s center, also known as your core, and everything else relaxes to allow for fluid movement. When these concepts of alignment and relaxation were combined with a slight forward lean and applied to running, ChiRunning was born.
The result was profound for my own running and has now helped thousands of runners increase speed and improve overall performance while reducing injuries and recovery time.
Here’s what a couple of runners have had to say:
Mark just completed the Ironman Wisconsin in September, finishing is the top 15% of the 2200 person field. “…I gave it a chance and it completely changed my running style in a matter of weeks. I would go on these long runs and try to run my old way (which was just run anyway it felt good) and then mid-run, I’d switch to the ChiRunning style. People who I had been following for miles, were now behind me in a few strides, and I exerted no extra energy to do it!”
Catherina McKiernan of Ireland, winner of London, Berlin and Amsterdam marathons in ’99, and Silver Medalist in two World Cross Country Championships, has become a Certified ChiRunning Instructor due to the profound affect it has had on her running. Catherina writes, “My career was plagued by injury. When I discovered ChiRunning I knew that this information was important for every day runners and for competitive athletes. You know, I get more of a buzz out of teaching than I did out of any of the big races I won during my career. I am constantly getting great feedback and all my clients are thrilled. My own running is going great also – no niggles whatsoever.” Add a rich Irish brogue and you get the picture.
"…I gave it a chance and it completely changed my running style in a matter of weeks. I would go on these long runs and try to run my old way (which was just run anyway it felt good) and then mid-run, I’d switch to the ChiRunning style. People who I had been following for miles, were now behind me in a few strides, and I exerted no extra energy to do it!"
-Mark after completing the Ironman Wisconsin in September 2007
-Mark after completing the Ironman Wisconsin in September 2007
The Formula for Success
In ChiRunning we have a formula for success. We call it FDS, which stands for Form, Distance and Speed. The way to ensure your success as a runnere is to work on your form first, then add distance, with speed added as the last component. Your training schedule is, of course, a huge part of how your prepare for an event, but in ChiRunning we suggest that you focus on your form first, because when you’re running form is maximized for efficiency and injury-prevention, you can make the most of every training session. You then add in distance by working to hold your form for longer periods of time. Once you can hold your form over the distance you need, you then start adding speed to your workouts. Speed is the last component and is a result of good technique and conditioning and not reliant on strength alone. Speed workouts are also a place to refine your form, not just build strength.
In the ChiRunning method, there is a specific technique for every aspect of your training. For example it is more energy efficient to use a specific technique for running uphill and a different technique for running downhill. Likewise there are very specific techniques for increasing speed, for holding a fast pace, for resting muscles on the run, or for using a greater variety of muscles. ChiRunning is a mindful approach to running which encourages listening to and responding to your body so that you can quickly and accurately respond to any situation. Like a T’ai Chi Master, you will have a perfect response for anything that comes at you during a run.
Make Gravity Your Ally
The ChiRunning form uses a slight forward lean to engage the pull of gravity as the main propulsive force. While using your core muscles to keep your posture aligned the rest of your body learns to relax and offer no resistance to the pull of gravity. Overused, tense muscles create inertia and which works against your forward motion. To whatever extent you can rely on gravity to pull you forward, you can reduce your muscle usage. In doing so, not only do you reduce the potential for injury that comes from overused muscles, you also gain much greater efficiency, reduce your recovery time, and you can actually increase your speed with less perceived effort.
Relaxed muscles can absorb oxygen more efficiently than tense muscles. When your muscles are relaxed, it allows the recoiling action of your tendons to move your arms and legs rather than the contraction of your muscles. Additionally, when you’re relaxed you can increase your range of motion, reduce your breathe rate and lower your oxygen and fuel requirements. (when you’re muscles are always firing they are using up valuable muscle glycogen).
Align Yourself
In order to engage the pull of gravity, your body must first be aligned correctly which means:
•Every time your weight is supported by your foot, there is a straight line between your shoulders, hip bones and ankles. This allows your body weight to be supported by your structure (bones, ligaments and tendons) rather than your muscles, which reduces the energy expenditure of your leg and lower back muscles.
•Your left and right side are moving symmetrically.
•Every part of your body is aligned in the direction you are headed.
-your upper body doesn’t sway side-to-side,
-your hips don’t move laterally as your foot hits the ground
-your body does not bounce up and down
-your arms don’t cross your centerline
-your legs and feet are pointed forward as they swing
These are but a few of the possible misalignments ChiRunning helps to correct.
Master Your Body
Bringing this mind-body approach to running actually transforms running from a sport to a practice and allows you to gain much more from your running than merely staying in good physical shape. ChiRunning fully supports runners in understanding how their body works best and how to combine that with the mental focus needed to bring the highest level of quality into each and every run.
ChiRunning is particularly helpful when something is not going quite right, when your body feels sluggish, or when you get slung off course by that nagging pain that hits halfway through a race. What you need at that moment is a great toolkit and knowledge of what you can focus on, physically or mentally, to correct the problem.
I suggest that you work to master the connection between your mind and your body. It is a necessary skill that every top athlete in the world has. Try something, practice it, see the results and discover for yourself what works best for you. The ChiRunning form focuses are guideposts for your own personal research. Every time I go out for a run, I come back with something new to practice. I’m constantly working with my breath, my lean, relaxing more deeply. It is an ongoing process of discovery that I see no end to. It takes more focus than you might be used to with your running, but the payoff of years of pain-free, injury-free running will be well worth the effort…and you can look forward to becoming the master of your own movement.
For further information on ChiRunning, please go to our website at: www.chirunning.com
Great Marathons Around the World, North Pole to Sahara!
August 15, 2009
Filed under Running
From striding alongside wild game in Kenya to taking on the icy Antarctic plains, marathons can be a superb way to discover the world as well as test your personal limits. Here are some of the most spectacular options…
Marathon of the Midnight Sun
In the far north of Norway, this is one event where the title says it all. Runners set off in Tromsø within the Arctic Circle shortly before midnight – and the sun keeps on shining even when they’re trying to break through "the wall".
When: June
More details: www.msm.no
Paris Marathon
A spring marathon that is an excellent big city alternative to London, this race wends its way through all the classic Paris landmarks, starting along the Champs-Élysées.
When: April
More details: www.parismarathon.com
Safaricom Marathon
This is run through the spectacular terrain of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, with wild game looking on curiously. Participants raise money for conservation and community projects.
When: June
More details: www.tusk.org
Antarctic Ice Marathon
One of the few races in the world where snowmobiles act as support vehicles, this last frontier event will test your limits at the ends of the earth. Participants need to negotiate snow and ice for the whole length of the course.
When: December
More details: www.icemarathon.com
North Pole Marathon
Meanwhile, at the other end of the earth, this one bills itself as the world’s coolest marathon. Runners battle sub-zero temperatures as well as the challenge of completing 26.2 gruelling miles.
When: April
More details: www.npmarathon.com
New York Marathon
One of the best supported of all the big city marathons, this atmospheric race goes through all five of New York’s main boroughs with a spectacular (and deceptively undulating) finish in an autumnal Central Park…
…among advocates of the New York Marathon is Paula Radcliffe, who is a big fan of the course, having won the race twice…
When: November
More details: www.nycmarathon.org
London Marathon
Quite possibly the greatest city marathon on earth (we’re biased, we admit it), this spectacular annual event is awash with heartwarming tales, outlandish costumes and one of the best atmospheres you will find at any race.
When: April
More details: www.london-marathon.co.uk
Reykjavik Marathon
This race, in the world’s most northerly capital, skirts the waterfront of this attractive Icelandic city. The event coincides with Reykjavik culture night…
…while the soothing geothermal waters of Blue Lagoon are nearby, ideal for soaking lactic acid-racked limbs.
When: August
More details: www.marathon.is
Prague Marathon
You won’t find a start quite like this anywhere else, as runners are set off by the famous astronomical clock in the Old Town Square. The course, through the town’s medieval centre and along the Vltava river, has an undeniably picturesque route.
When: May
More details: www.praguemarathon.com/en
Berlin Marathon
If you want to take part in a record-breaking race, head here. The magnificent Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie has broken the world record twice in consecutive years in this flat-as-a-pancake course. Perfect for runners who want to say "I was there when…"
When: September
More details: www.real-berlin-marathon.com
Boston Marathon
Don’t even think about applying for this one unless you’re a pretty handy endurance athlete already – qualifying times are 3 hours 10 for senior men and 3 hours 40 for women. However, if you’ve got what it takes, you get to participate in the world’s most prestigious marathon, which has been running since 1897.
When: April
More details: www.bostonmarathon.org
Marathon du Médoc
This is much more geared towards fun than the Boston Marathon. Run through Bordeaux chateaux and vineyards, this is as much about gourmet food as it is about running, with participants in fancy dress free to sample some of the region’s fantastic specialties, including excellent vintages of wine.
When: September
More details: www.marathondumedoc.com
Honolulu Marathon
Arguably the world’s number one destination marathon – more than half the participants are from outside the USA (mostly from Japan) – this event’s appeal derives mainly from its exotic location and the fact that no strict finishing times are imposed on participants.
When: December
More details: www.honolulumarathon.org
Marathon des Sables
Strictly speaking, this is much more than a marathon. It is a six-day endurance fest in the Sahara, considered by some as the toughest foot race in the world. Counter-intuitively, its popularity just continues to grow.
When: March/April
More details: www.darbaroud.com
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