You Don’t Hate Running — You Hate Not Being the Best — CROW Circle 005

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1. REMINDER – You Don’t Hate Running — You Hate Not Being the Best

Knees. Shin Splints. Rolled Ankles.

Not because you’re broken.
Because you’re trying to move like something you’re not.

We copy what we see.
Elites gliding. Gazelles bounding. Horses galloping.

So we overstride.
Chasing pace.
Performing for others.
Wrecking our form in the process.

Here’s the truth:
You’re not built to sprint.
You’re built for the distance.
To outlast.

Think less gazelle.
More trotting horse.
Cadence > speed.
Rhythm > reach.

And when it’s time to go?
Push back — like an ostrich.
Power behind you. Ankles low. No high knees.

Run like you’re chasing food you have to catch.
Not followers.

You don’t need to look fast.
You need to stay moving.

That means:

• Barefoot strides on grass.

• Run-walk intervals.

• Slowing down until it feels natural again.

This isn’t about chasing a summer body.
It’s about building the one you want to run beside your kids with — 20 years from now.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NIV)

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

2. RHYTHM – Breaking Down Running

Crazy idea: Run barefoot around a field.

No music. No Hokas. Just your body, your breath—and the truth.

Heel striking?
You’ll know.
Your body will tell you.

Here's what you'll learn—fast:

• Your stride should land under or behind you.
  If it’s out in front? You’re braking. Not running.

• Land with the front of your foot, not your heel.
  (You’re not supposed to slam into the earth like a shopping cart.)

• Your shoes shouldn’t do the work.
  Remove the padding. Feel the ground.

Mimic the body:

Your foot is leveled → your shoe should be too.
Most running shoes have a heel-to-toe drop like stilettos.
So unless you’re trying to impress your honie — ditch the heels.

💡 Ask your store rep:
“What’s the drop on this shoe?”
Brands like Altra and Xero get it right. Start there.

Your body is a spring:

• Cadence > stride length.

• Think 170+ steps per minute.

• Don’t push off — bounce back. Quick turnover.

Want to dial it in?

Buy a Garmin HR Monitor.
I track cadence, stride, ground contact time, and HR—daily.
(I wear the HRM Pro, Escalante Racers, $20 shorts, and a Garmin 745. No shirt. No music. Just rhythm.)

Why no music?

Because I’m not chasing pace.
I’m chasing presence.

Running is the only cardio where you can hit euphoria without headphones.
Can’t feel it yet?
Walk/Run like a pro. Trust the cycle.

💡 Pro Tip: Run every other day. Let your body recover. Let the joy build. Run too often—and you’ll start asking like my dog, Kona:

“Why the hell am I doing this?”

Still stuck?
📩 crowfromwithin@gmail.com
🤖 Ask the CROW Bot on ChatGPT.

We’ll help you get your form, gear, or gym right.
And shout you out in the CROW Circle once you do.