Dr. Nicholas Romanov's Pose Method of Running (Dr. Romanov's Sport Education) by Nicholas Romanov
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Book Reviews of Dr. Nicholas Romanov's Pose Method of Running (Dr. Romanov's Sport Education)
Book Review: Pose versus Chi
Summary: 5 Stars
From reading other reviews of this book, there seems to be some confusion. I'm not normally moved to write a book review but this time I can't let it lie.
For me the key is the second word in the title of the book: "method". It is a big step forward from knowing how we should be running to how we can *learn* to run more efficiently and therefore more injury free (and hopefully faster). This is the innovation. Otherwise we could just watch a video of Haile Gebrselassie over and over again...
I have tried several times unsuccessfully to run on the balls of my feet, already being convinced that this should be more efficient. It is certainly true that, if you were to run barefoot, you wouldn't consider landing on your heels (ouch).
For me, the first barrier has always been that it is initially even more tiring (evidenced by the fact that my pulse rate would increase running at the same speed). This is not surprising: different muscles are being used differently, something which the body takes time to adjust to. The point is that you really need understand and believe the new technique to perservere with it. It is true that the book is a little repetitive, saying essentially the same handful of principles in different ways, but this is the best way to reinforce the understanding, just as running is itself a repetitive motion.
The second barrier has been that in previous attempts my calf muscles have ended up tightening so much that I have barely been able to walk, let alone run. The method makes a huge deal of the need to precondition the body in terms of strength, coordination and flexibility. In fact, you are not recommended to go out and run until half way through the book! Not only that, but there is a very helpful appendix which diagnoses your mistakes in technique by the particular pain you are experiencing. The upshot is that you should not have any pain if you are doing it right. Seems logical.
The method is somewhat contraversial because it goes against conventional running wisdom in that you are encouraged to run in "flats" - that is to say, shoes with very little cushioning. In my gym I was getting told off for running in lightweight shoes to the point where I had to show them the website on Pose running (www.posetech.com)! I have a torn meniscus from before and I really notice that the impact on my knee is greatly reduced. Instead of thud, thud, thud, I can hear tap, tap, tap.
I got into running again fairly recently and was surprised how little there was written on technique: it is assumed that we have all got a God given technique, something that is clearly not the case just watching how most people run. I have also read the book on Chi running which I found to be much less scientific and to be very weak on how to learn the tecnique. Nevertheless, it is good on the importance of having a strong trunk - but perhaps it could have been explained with physics instead of eastern mysticism.
I have yet to compete using this tecnique, but after just a month of practising, I went out for an hour run just now and covered 5% extra distance at the same pulse rate... and this time I am not being held back by pain in the calf muscles. So it is looking good so far!
I was put onto this by a friend who has always been extremely fit and who ran the London Marathon in 2007 in 3:15 and, after learning the Pose technique, ran it in 2008 in 2:52...
Book Review: Best Book for Running Faster and Preventing Injury
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is the real thing. After reading and doing some of the exercises in this book, I can run a mile more than a full minute faster at the same level of effort as I did before applying the Pose Method. And I have not even started to do more mileage or interval training, which I had given up years ago because it always led to more injuries. Another benefit from my using the Pose Method is that my knees no longer hurt after several miles, and the burning I used to get in my quadriceps muscles (front thighs) after long runs is gone. This is directly related to Dr. Romanov's points about landing on one's toes. I also notice that my hamstrings(muscles at back of thighs) are getting stronger and larger,without incurring injury. I have always wondered why most of the elite distance runners, especially the Africans, have such large thighs, especially their hamstrings. Now I know, they naturally and unconsciously run according to most or all of the principles of the Pose Method! If you don't believe me, videotape or Tivo an elite running race, and watch the runners in slow motion. And notice how well developed their hamstrings are compared to those of the average recreational runner.
Reading this book, watching myself run, and remembering how I used to run thirty years ago, it occurs to me that many young people instinctively run with the pose method, and that age, injuries (running and non-running related), a sedentary lifestyle, and age-related atrophy of abdominal, back, and hip muscles all combine to turn our running form into the worst type of ground-pounding jogging. Many people who give up running or jogging say they do so because their joints cannot take the pounding anymore. They assume that the pounding has always accompanied their running, and it is just that their bodies cannot take the same amount of stress as when they were younger. Well, there have been recent studies that suggest young runners actually place less mechanical "pounding" stress on their bodies than older runners running at the same or slower speeds. Dr. Romanov's book makes many points addressing the reduction or elimination of inefficient and harmful pounding mechanical stresses during running. In a very real sense, this book can be a fountain of youth for runners. It will give you back your younger running speeds and times, prevent recurrence of injuries, making you the runner you were when you were younger, or even better.
The Pose Method was initially counter-intuitive to this runner, whose running form had gradually deteriorated through the years. But it does work and it works wonders. You have nothing to lose but your injuries and frustrations of not running faster and farther. Dr. Romanov is doing the running community a great service. He truly does want everyone to be the best runner possible, and injury-free at that. Also, get the video or DVD to see exactly what Dr. Romanov means in the exercise drills.
Book Review: Revolutionary
Summary: 5 Stars
POSE Method Of Running is simply superb. If you need more proof, read through all the other reviews...
I personally like how the book tries to 'sell you the idea' at the beggining, because in my head I always go through all the other products searching for the one which simply works the best, most scientific reseatch etc.
The Method works for itself... do the drills, over and over again, and within little time you WILL notice significant differences to 1) your technique (no more pounding the concrete) 2) your speed and 3) your endurance.
I have 1 critisism however...
After reading, studdying and applying the Pose Method, everytime you come across another runner running 'traditionally' (Heel striker, bouncer etc), you WILL cringe and become inclined to offer assistance. More often than not, they will just look at you blankly and contuinue off with their self-destructive technique.
Also, a little word of warning to others whom get the book. Please work up to the exercises in the book... Don't go straight and try the hardest hip exercise (the one armed same leg 'hip dip' thing) before mastering the other exercises. EVEN if you can do one armed pushups, they are completely different exercises and you WILL end up hurting your lower back. Now you may be laughing or wondering what in the Earth am I talking about, but it is surprising how many people I have seen try and then fail, complaining about their sore back.
Well thats my $0.02, Dont hesitate, click add to Cart and enjoy.
Book Review: Life Changing Stuff
Summary: 5 Stars
I took up running again as a way to get into shape & force better health habits. Went to a free clinic & heard pieces of what I later found were Dr. R's techniques. Have POSE books, a coach I see once a quarter & am working towards near zero pain running (still get sore, yes) & have gone from being a 10 minute mile runner (high heart rate at that) to 7 minutes (definitely room to grow still). Just couldn't be happier. When you get the right information it really helps cut through the crap of all that exists in the shoe stores & magazines. Byproduct of what I've learned via Dr. R is less respect for trusted running publications that I now see as existing not to disturb the ebb & flow of shoe & apparel advertising. You only need $100 + pair of corrective running shoes if you plan to do it wrong & are looking to prolong the eventual injuries you're lack of training will ultimately result in. Oh, this book is excellent -- covers what you need to know... but it's not magic or easy & quick work. You will need to continuously train & unlearn all that other stuff you've been doing through the years. Payoff is using you're body the way it was designed & not beating it against the ground step by step.Book Review: Running can be fun and fluid
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a 40-something lifetime sports enthusiast, with an arthritic knee. I am very health conscious and work out several days per week. I limit my running to dirt paths, and do not compete. I have stayed abreast of new developments in performance training by various leading authors. I have participated in sports my whole life, both organized and recreational. I realized that despite all this participation in sports for decades, I had never received any formal instruction on running technique. I had also found that if I asked ten people about running form and footstrike, I'd get ten opinions, all a bit different. So I searched the web and landed on this book. The book teaches excellent form, and has exceptional agility and flexibilty drills. The drills really help with mastering the sensations of running with balance on the forefoot. My running has become more fluid, less painful, much faster and much more fun. Imagine running without pain ... and I have a tender knee! Anyone looking for a fast path to more enjoyable running should read this book.