How to Run Properly: Do You Need To Push Off? with Todd Martin MD

Pose Method Running Analysis. One of the hardest things to understand in Pose Method is the lack of any need to push with the legs. Do we really only need gravity? Does this make any sense? Many people think so, and many people think that is crazy. In this Part 2 video I will analyze the “fall” from support in the Pose Method and compare the idea of falling with no muscles to the idea of pushing with the core. My analysis is based on my own movement system, The Martin Movement Method and The Walking Code. The Martin Movement Method defines the 8 fundamental patterns of core movement that we use in all our routine activities when standing on two feet. These 8 patterns allow us to interact with gravity without falling and without having to use valuable conscious brain resources. These patterns of movement are ingrained in our nervous system and most people operate without even knowing they are using them. But when we get the patterns wrong, this can lead to poor technique, but more importantly it can lead to injury. This could be with running but even with an activity like walking.
I believe that much of the controversy about running technique comes from the lack of understanding of how we control our bodies from the core. When we try to explain movement with the actions of the legs alone, it is insufficient to explain many of the things that go on during running and other activities. This lends itself to people coming up with very simple sounding explanations, like in Pose Method and Chi Running. The simple notion of falling and letting gravity take you is very appealing. It is much more appealing that trying to understand 8 patterns of movement generated by three elements of your core. I don’t promise you that it will be easy. But I promise you it will be true.
In the next part I will look at unweighting, or how we get the weight removed from the ground so the support leg can be lifted. I will discuss the idea of triple extension.
The “fall” from support I say is really a push. This can be initiated when the leg is in the air, as one might do when sprinting. In this case the leg will land directly under the center of gravity. It can also be initiated from the support pose, when the leg is already on the ground, seen more in long distance running. I will show you two great examples of each, with Usain Bold and Eliud Kipchoge.
Push is more than just a word. It is one of the fundamental energies of Tai Chi. When we Push correctly, we will move correctly from support. Push involves all three elements of the core, not just the legs.
Push Core Actions
Extension of the active hip
Upper Torso turns away from the active hip
Lower Torso turns toward the active hip
Push Leg Actions
Flexion of the knee on the side of opposite the active hip.
Plantarflexion of the ankle on the side of the active hip

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00:00 Introduction
00:31 Falling vs Pushing
02:11 The core movements of a Push
02:47 Usain Bolt Push Initiation
03:19 Eliud Kipchoge midfoot strike
03:54 Hopping
05:26 Push exercise
10:15 Pulling is Really Pushing

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