The Art of Running: With the Alexander Technique

I've been running for over 20 years. I am, and alway have been, competitive; but I also just love to run as part of my day to day life. I guess I've been lucky, as not to have ever been sidelined for long periods with injuries through the years. I've always known my form was never that great, and frequently slipped into periods of good form, and periods of not so good form. In the past few years (I'm 45 now), I decided I wanted to refine my form, so that I can still run (efficiently) as the body starts it's natural decline related to age. That is to say, I know the older I get, the less "the luck" will keep me running healthy. I began studying Chi Running, Evolution running, Pose running, Alexander Technique, barefoot running, and several others. It should be noted that all of these have many factors in common, though they all go about it in slightly different ways. I have made significant progress since I have started to adopt these techniques. Less effort, quicker recovery, no injuries, more natural stride, and starting to see quicker times again (times and pace took a back seat while re-learning the basics). All that said, this book could save someone a lot of time researching and studying all these different options out there. Now I would like to add, if you have the desire and time, it's still worth reading up on all these other techniques. I feel I learned bits and pieces from everything I've read and seen. However, if you are like most, you will appreciate this book, as it does a fantastic job of teaching the common denominators of all these techniques. I honestly believe ALL runners - escpecially those starting out, should read this book. Even if you just take a few things from it, it's well worth it. There's not a lot of extra material here, so it's not an intimidating read; it's meant for everyone. Buy the book. Run better and keep away from injuries, for the rest of your life.

in the last two years, I realized that exercise was one of the most gratifying and healthy things you can do, and have thrown myself into it whole heartedly. as my high school phys ed tyeachers always noted, I have a body built for running, but having started so late I must perfect my technique at an age when the flexibility and motor adaptability are no longer mine to command. running may be natural, it certainly isn't natural for me anymore. especially as I have very awkward feet with high arches and morton's toe and am about twenty-five percent body fat and weigh in at 225 pounds. these difficulties have posed quite a challenge, and while I love to run, I have often thought about hanging up the towel. others tell me not to think about it so much, but I can't help but think about it when every stride seems to teeter on the balance between naturalness and searing pain. I have tried a few other techniques, notably danny dryer's chi running, and haven't found them to be particularly helpful. most running instruction focuses on your body from the outside, on what it's supposed to look like when you run well. but when you are on the fifth mile, you often dont have the liberty of glancing in a mirror. following on the alexander technique, this book presents you with visualizations you can do at any time and pointers on form that explain the feeling of running correctly. it tells you how to think about running and what to do, not what you should look like. personally I have found it very useful, and it has improved my running a great deal in a short time. I still have problems, but this book is helping me find ways to work within and around them. moreover, it has really sold me on the alexander technique, which I hope to look into in more detail in the future.

This book introduced me to the possibility of "technique" in running, and started me on a journey (to the Pose Method, and barefoot running) that has dramatically changed the way I run - smoother, with less impact and fewer injuries. I have to disagree with the first reviewer. While the book may not tell the entire story, I did get some very concrete and relevant tips - for instance, remembering to look ahead, and not down (as I had been) while running.

I'm moved to add my positive review after noticing the negative one by S Hadley. I found this book full of insight on the nuts and bolts of the running process as opposed to most of the other books I've read that take form as a given and instead focus on training regimes. I see it as a primer, a well thought out and very useful one: you can read it cover to cover or just open it and pick up some technical point to practice on your next run. It does mention the like of Haile Gebrselassie, Sebastian Coe and Merlene Ottey as role models but I found this inspiring and their form something to aspire to rather than the glib comment S Hadley alludes to. One last thing. I bought the book 2 months ago and although my times have not come down noticably, my recovery rate and overall fatigue after a long run has diminished remarkably. I look forward to a largely injury free running future.