Chi Marathon: The Breakthrough Natural Running Program for a Pain-Free Half Marathon and Marathon

I’m 43, I used this for my first marathon that was projected to be 4:10 based on a 5k in PERFECT conditions and flat ground. I thought I’d be closer to 4:25 or maybe 5:30 if I couldn’t fix my shin problems and had to run walk (I ended up with stress fractures after my last big race). Instead, I forgot about time and just followed this book religiously. Several years of shin pain disappeared on lesson 1 of chi running and never came back in 5 months. I would sometimes go play soccer the evenings of my long runs the recovery was so fast. My legs and muscles resculpted in a more balanced way based on the new running form it was amazing to watch. The warm-up looseners made sense, (I’ve done warm-ups for other plans that seem to be the same from plan to plan, but I didn’t understand how they helped and seemed perhaps a bit dangerous, chi running TOTALLY makes sense, everything has a purpose). For the marathon I just set my heart rate monitor as suggested in the book for the first 20 miles and ran in a relaxed way, I increased a bit for the last 6 miles because I had so much energy left, it felt weird to be passing people like crazy at the end. I was stunned when I got my official race time as 3:55:09! I was comfortably running the marathon at speed that had killed me in 10k in the past and I hadn’t even had to focus on speed at all during training, just mindful running. I’ve read every marathon training book in my library, this is the best so I bought it. It might be a hard to follow at times, but the information is solid gold and worth digging through for.

If there is one book on running to read then this is it. Chi Marathon doesn't deal with just how to run, what to do, not to do, and all the banal information that you find in every other marathon or endurance running book. Chi Marathon goes into detail of what every other running book misses and then some. From explaining and educating you of the importance of the technique phase to the conditioning phase and onto the event mastery phase, taper phase, post race phase and how to develop mindfully the mental edge to perform better. And much more besides. Danny Dreyer really excels in helping the reader understand the mastery of his creation of ChiRunning. You can feel in the words of this master piece book, his power of educating runners to be smart, runners, efficient runners, and of course, injury free runners. Danny Dreyer explains, educates you in all aspects on all levels of ChiRunning an endurance race. Everything you learn in this book can be used for running of all distances, wether you are a beginner or pro athlete. If you don't ChiRun then you will still learn a lot, in fact you will learn heaps from his book Chi Marathon. It is THE book of 2012, a reference that educates you instead of just talking to, or at you. You will come back to this book time and time again and always learn something new. Danny Dryer created ChiRunning back in the late 90's, before the current fad of minimalist running. Everything he said back in the late 90's has stood the test of time. ChiMarathon proves that Danny Dreyer is the master of original run efficiency technique that stands way above any other "new" run technique. If you buy this book you will not regret it. If you don't buy it then you will regret it. If you give it to someone as a pressie, don't be surprised that s/he will start to run faster through pure efficiency and cross the finish line injury free and with a smile! For the price it is a give away of a mine of reputable and practicable information that will have you running better, like never before. ChiRunning; its simple, its works, it makes plain sense!

Good concepts, and explained well, but I think Chi Running may be a better option (have not read it yet). It's hard to simultaneously train for a marathon AND dramatically alter your running style. I couldn't always tell when I was doing the form focuses correctly. And when I did them incorrectly, I knew it after my long runs because it would result in an injury - e.g. to my lower back or hip. On the positive side, successfully completed the Boston Marathon and did apply some of the form focuses, like landing mid foot and keeping my lower legs and feet relaxed. And I have to say, this book has fundamentally changed my posture - not just when running but all day - sitting and standing.

All women runners should consider this book's introduction, written by a famous British woman runner. She sets out why she just recently gave up competitive running, but has adapted CHI RUNNING for her own distance running. She speaks liltingly of what pure joy she has in just fun running..... and will most likely never return to competitive running. She talks of the great likelihood of inevitable injury in competitive running, and her fun-running philosophy has a timely message for us Macho Males as well (guess which gender suffers by far the greater injuries). The book has deeper counsel from Danny Dreyer, the Master Chi Man . . . and from other experts as well.

Mr. Dryer is getting paid!!! I must say that I am knowledgeable about running and fitness. As a retired U.S. Army veteran, and an avid runner, i've run many a miles prior to and during my career. The last couple of years, I've had some minor problems with my feet and back and was unable to run for awhile. I recently committed to training for my 1st marathon and ran across this book while shopping on amazon. I've known about Chi-running for years but never thought to much about it. After taking a look inside I decided to give it a go (kindle edition). I tested it out this morning on my 5K along with a free metronome on my IPod. When I finished, I can say that my feet nor my back hurt during or after Chi-running (Cannot comment on the long term effects, if any, at this time). I did not feel tired, winded, or sore. I actually felt invigorated. I could have run for 4 miles, not on my schedule. I felt very comfortable so I will continue to practice this technique. Note: I really don't think that its necessary to purchase more than one of these books and you don't need the DVD. You can get all of the instruction you need from Youtube/online videos and the first book. The price's for these items are very expensive and you really don't need them. This is why I only gave it a 3 rating. I actually watched a video the night before and read part of the book and was able to use correct form the first time. The metronome really helped me to keep pace without thought. I really think the metronome was the key element keeping me from over exerting along with my relaxing, focusing, and using correct posture (so get a metronome they are cheap and there are free apps, (thanks to the suggestion from a reviewer)). I wouldn't put out the extra bucks. I really hope this review is helpful, happy running/walking. see you on the road.

First, please note that I have only read through half of the book. I am picking and choosing the chapters that pertain to my specific needs for my current training. Second, I have had the privilege of running with the author, Danny Dreyer, last summer in Asheville, NC. Third, I studied martial arts for 10 years when I was younger, so Tai Chi is something that I was familiar with and I am very interested in practicing in the near future. Many of the principles that Danny describes in his book come natural to me because of my martial arts background. Once you begin to incorporate these techniques into your running, you quickly recognize just how rational these tips are for improving your running efficiency and preventing injury. My breathing has improved. My endurance has improved. My discomfort (beyond 13 miles) has decreased. And my pace has dropped from 8:50 per mile to 8:30 per mile in less than one month. All with no injuries.

If you run, if you consider to run or if you are afraid to run, this is the book you must read! I was running before, but after reading this book and following the principles of Chi-Running, the easiness of running, pleasure and joy have doubled! Thanks Danny!

Initially I had read only about 10% and reviewed this book. wow was I unfair. I was so disappointed. But I like to finish what I start. As I plugged along I finally got to the good stuff. Detailed information that I had been searching for about alignment foot fall stride etc. I am hopeful I can put together a really good and manageable routine.

Fünfunddreissig Jahre einen falschen Stil gelaufen. ChiRunning hat alles verändert. Laufen ohne Schmerz und verletzungsfrei. Hightech-Schuhe habe ich entsorgt und bin auf minimalistische Barfußschuhe umgestiegen. Ein wunderbares, natürliches Lauferlebnis hat sich eingestellt. Das Buch ist für jeden Läufer wertvoll.

実戦的に役立つすぐれたランニング指導書。細かく書かれていて一時期不調の時、元に戻すのに役立った。

excellent and comprehensive manual for runners of every level. A book the book that was missing in my library. Good reading.

He encontrado que el trabajo está bien escrito con argumentos concisos y convincentes respaldados por un nivel de datos y evidencia empírica que hace que un caso convincente. Lo recomiendo.

Wonderful book. Focused and to the point prescriptions for injury free effortless running. Kudos to the author's. Thanks for writing such a marvellous piece..