100-Up challenge

[terence arnold]

Was browsing through the forum posts and read this one:

http://www.thebarefootrunners.org./threads/poor-rwol-what-the-heck-is-going-on-over-there.6786/

which gave a link to a NYT article by Chris McDougall, which mentioned the 100-Up system ,after a google it led to this site:

http://hundredup.com/the-100-up-challenge/

Basically a system for training running form and actually cardio as well developed by an English Miler record holder in the 1800s.

The site has a challenge, which I am going to do. Anyone on here done this or fancy doing it?

 

[Last Place Jason]

I think it's nearly useless. Skip rope instead.

 

[JosephTree]

Oh Poo, Jason. I think it won't hurt and might be fun.
I'm in. I don't do any excercises at all on a regular basis, so having a challenge and doing something might do me a lot of good. We'll see.

 

[Last Place Jason]

Just sayin' I've yet to encounter anyone that used the 100-up challenge to learn better form. Or become a better runner.

 

[Bare Lee]

I think it's nearly useless. Skip rope instead.

Good to hear someone say this. I had suspected as much . . . When I first watched that NYTimes video, I wondered, 'what sort of community had I plugged into? Are we supposed to jump on whatever trend rears its ugly head? I already got the sit-stand desk dammit, now I'm supposed to do those? Next thing you know, I'll be buying a physioball or something,' is what I thought to myself.

 

[NickW]

I seem to remember when that NY Times video came out someone here tried them for a while and really seemed to like them. Can't for the life of me remember who that was though. Maybe they can pitch in as to why they liked them.

 

[Bare Lee]

I seem to remember when that NY Times video came out someone here tried them for a while and really seemed to like them. Can't for the life of me remember who that was though. Maybe they can pitch in as to why they liked them.

I hope it's no-one I know, or I'll be forced to try them.

 

[NickW]

There's a post on here about them back then, I suppose if I had the gumption I could go and search for it, but I am kinda lazy this morning so... Still trying to wake up fully. Come on coffee...

 

[Bare Lee]

There's a post on here about them back then, I suppose if I had the gumption I could go and search for it, but I am kinda lazy this morning so... Still trying to wake up fully. Come on coffee...

what about the early morning run?

 

[NickW]

Not going to wake my toddler up to go for a run. I did think of that though if he was awake. Still a little nervous about my ribs after he jumped on me yesterday morning and I heard a crack and still have pain this morning.

 

[Bare Lee]

Not going to wake my toddler up to go for a run. I did think of that though if he was awake. Still a little nervous about my ribs after he jumped on me yesterday morning and I heard a crack and still have pain this morning.

Probably should get an x-ray if you heard a crack. Cracked/broken ribs are a bear to heal.

 

[Zetti]

Probably should get an x-ray if you heard a crack. Cracked/broken ribs are a bear to heal.

These days they don't wrap them anymore though.....a family member broke a rib passing out from standing up to quickly in the morning and they had him on pain meds and not wrap or anything.....I guess the human body is pretty good at healing it self...go figure

 

[NickW]

If it's cracked ribs it's pointless to go in as they don't do anything anymore other than charge you an arm and a leg (need my legs for running) for x-rays and the visit and give you drugs for the pain. No thanks, doesn't hurt that badly that I need drugs and I can deal with it.

 

[terence arnold]

I'm giving it a go, if nothing else it will help loosen my hips which I've noticed have been losing some mobility. Also weather here has been awful and stopped me getting out barefoot regularly.

 

[Bare Lee]

If it's cracked ribs it's pointless to go in as they don't do anything anymore other than charge you an arm and a leg (need my legs for running) for x-rays and the visit and give you drugs for the pain. No thanks, doesn't hurt that badly that I need drugs and I can deal with it.

for a crack, yeah, nothing you can do. Not so sure about a break, but doesn't sound like that's a possibility. I guess I was just commenting to comment . . . I'll shut up now.

 

[NickW]

Lol! Not sure how that read but I was not trying to be rude or anything so no need to shut up Lee.

 

[Bare Lee]

Lol! Not sure how that read but I was not trying to be rude or anything so no need to shut up Lee.

No, no, just making fun of myself. I love having an opinion about everything, which is kind of what these forums and blogs are all about, but it's probably best to keep these things semi-serious and only contribute when can move the discussion forward a bit . . .

 

[NickW]

I love having an opinion about everything

+1

 

[chuckcwall]

I certainly couldn't say that a particular exercise will or won't work for a particular person. But for the sake of argument, here's a "challenge to the 100-up challenge" from the Science of Running website:

http://www.scienceofrunning.com/2011/04/most-important-information-you-will.html

If I understand the article correctly, Steve Magness is arguing that hip extension through the gluteus maximus should be the active part of the stride, and that one should let hip flexion (100-up motion) happen passively or reflexively. This would seem to argue that squats and lunges are more effective than 100-ups at building the muscles involved in the active part of the stride.

From personal anecdote, sometimes I focus on actively cranking my hips down and back, which seems to help my running form.

 

[Bare Lee]

That fits in with my understanding too Chuckcwall--squats, lunges, deadlifts, and hills will improve the extension. Only 15% of one's energy is used in the return phase, which is primarily reflexive/passive, and that's basically what you're practicing with the 100-ups, as far as I can tell. McDougall is a talented writer, but he doesn't seem to be a very thorough researcher.