Namely, running is so popular and already sickeningly present in every pore of society. So many marathons, half marathons, 10km runs, sponsored runs, women's runs, men's runs, wilderness runs and I could go on and on. Everything is concentrated on the time, which needs to be as small as possible in the distance traveled. Also, as we live at a fast pace of life. It doesn't matter how, as long as you complete a certain task as quickly as possible and focus on a new goal. In this way, running is conditional and, just like in life, it leads to injuries and pain. Mostly, only endurance and speed are trained without movement control. After all, only the result is important. That is the time.
This fast-paced approach to life is seen everywhere. In relationships, education, business, shopping, nutrition, entertainment and love. Everything is so urgent, stressful, subordinated to the outcome, achieving results and rewarded with pride when you are fast and efficient. However, the price of such an approach is high.
On the other hand, racewalking is much more prudent and intelligent. The quality of execution and the technique of walking are much more important than speed. Because it is limited by the rules, a fast walker is always learning and improving the quality of the performance of fast walking. Each step must be done consciously and correctly, otherwise you are eliminated from the race. Just like in life, when there are certain rules, laws and not just the goal of a fast time. As a result, such movement is much more fluid, coordinated, smooth and elegant.
When we move in life with such composure and presence, the result is wonderful. Actually beautiful. People admire athletes, business people, and genuine romance as if it's something hard to achieve. And yet it is so complexly simple. That way, it is so accessible. You just need to stop and continue at a lower speed. Slow. Consciously. Running without running…
The frequency and intensity of injuries is entirely on the runners' side. There are almost no injuries on the side of fast walking. Even though both disciplines use the same equipment, environment and ground, the difference is so distinctly created. After all, running does not take into account the ability of the body, but abuses it and excessively uses the legs. Which, of course, causes such consequences. On the other hand, runners are recommended to use fast walking for the needs of effective rehabilitation after an injury.
Runners create pressure on the body, use only the legs, and completely ignore the body's abilities. All for the purpose of gaining speed. Head, determination, motivation and passionate energy prevail. The rule is to reach the goal as soon as possible, even if it hurts like hell. Motivational pumping in the head does not take into account and does not listen to the effective laws of body movement. It primarily conditions and targets the ability to endure self-torture to achieve a goal. The body becomes a robot that serves to achieve the goal. That's why the penalty is so high. Not only in physical injuries, but also in emotional and mental ones, when a person easily loses touch with reality. After all, everything goes too fast.
Running pains, which I myself have experienced countless times, are excruciating. As I took up running, I took up life. Or vice versa. I was too burdened with the goal, the rush and the turbo drive. By skipping steps that are extremely important on the way to the goal. Steps that strengthen the body, mind and spirit so that it can even bear the weight of the goal. Because of my own insecurity and blindness (SMA, sensorimotor amnesia), conquering the goal will give me deep satisfaction, confirmation, strength. I fell many times on this ice. This is how I tackled school, relationships, sports, and, in fact, everyday tasks. Too fast, too strong, not enough precision and not enough awareness.
The consequences are wear and tear on the right hip, loss of friends - relationships, missed moves, average quality of certain work or projects, average relationships with family, etc. All this is visible from the running lifestyle.
That's why I'm happy that the AEQ method with AEQ exercises came into my life and I started with the fast walking way of behaving. Conscious implementation of physical, mental and emotional steps. This means that my movement comes from the trunk moving the limbs. Meanwhile, the rotation of the trunk is included, allowing for smooth, fluid and precise movement. Before, I just leaned on the right side because of a shortened thigh muscle. Also, the behavior is converted from running mode to fast walking. This can be seen in relationships that are more fulfilling, dealing in business, where the goal is no longer just to reach the goal, but to walk the path with quality, and in other areas such as nutrition or playing sports. With this conscious fast walking approach, it became joyful and connected to reality.
Jure Koščak
AEQ method level 2 teacher
Homework assignment for AEQ teacher, as a summary according to:
Textbook for AEQ method level 1 teacher, by Ales Ernst, AEQ method level 5 teacher, and Vesna Cijan