Keep on running

I'm a runner with a knee problem and over the years have had a lot of advice from various sources as to what I should and should not do while I'm running if I want to keep running. Over time I developed an interest in people's running styles and travelling to work on the bus has provided opportunities to observe commuters' sprinting styles.

The one I have seen most of is the 'not really sprinting' style where people are moving like they are running for the bus but are travelling at speeds not that dissimilar to walking. Whether the person gets to the bus in time to get on it depends largely on whether there is a long enough queue of people waiting to get on the bus rather than the runner's efforts.

The one that amuses me the most is the high-heeled sprint. This is usually used by female commuters. Usually the higher the heels, the smaller the steps. The stride length is so ridiculously small because of the inhibition by the heels that the runner has to move her feet incredibly quickly to actually build up any speed. Whether the person gets to the bus in time to get on depends on the reason mentioned above and if the bus-driver was kindly enough to wait for her.

The one that is most akin to mine is helicopter legs. This involves swinging the legs out at the knee so that they rotate like helicopter rotor blades with each stride. Not the prettiest way to run and not very efficient as often the stride length is limited by the lack of movement at the hip. It is not necessarily slow and may earn the runner a few smiles from his fellow commuters if done well.

Running is actually not as simple as most people think. It is technically demanding if you want to do it well. These days when I run I can't concentrate on the music coming through my earphones as I hear all the advice I have ever been given with every step- engage your core muscles, engage your hips and thighs, pull your knee caps up, don't slouch, keep your shoulders relaxed... It may be paying off- my knee problem is no longer as severe and I hope people don't find it as amusing to see me run as before.

bus life

I recently started traveling part of the way to and from work by bus. It takes a bit longer but its quite pleasant to spend some time above ground and looking at London life from a different angle.

I love double decker buses and can't wait to try out the new routemaster when it comes into action. Sitting right at the front on the top deck is still one of my favourite things. You can look behind the boards into the building site to see how that giant building block down the road is being built, or see how fine cyclists cut it when it comes to getting in between traffic, or just enjoy the brush of branches on the glass screen.

The general ebb and flow of people on the vehicle can be quite interesting. On this particular route, for example, there seems to be a divide as to who gets the run of the bus on different parts of the route. As the bus moves from east to west, we intially start out with an overwhelming majority of school children. They fill the bus with sounds of idle chit chat and giggles until they get off to make room for the suits. The bus ends up in the city and passes by a number of schools before passing through a neo-suburb for city-folk. Gradually the bus fills up with banker types and almost everyone gets off as the bus gets into a station near the financial center of London. On the reverse journey back home from work, however, the population on the bus is a bit more boring. Its too late for school children so there are only the suits on their way home.

Occasionally I meet friends on the bus trip. It is rather pleasant and relaxing to see a friendly face, particularly first thing in the morning. The general hustle and bustle around you as people go about their daily business helps you stay engaged with the world at large where things happen. Its more interesting than just watching the tunnel walls rush past and definitely worth the extra time this takes.