Anyone read "Born to Run"? (about ultramarathoning)

[Patiod]

Great book Mostly about ultramarathoning in general, but also about chia seeds, post-race celebrations, hidden indigenous tribes in Mexico - it covers tons of interesting topics.

The book does carefully and scientifically trash the concept of running shoes, describing how they actually injure your feet and legs by allowing you to land (unnaturally) on your heels, when thousands of generations of humans runners have landed on the ball of their foot and then rolled to the heel. Interestingly, there's been almost no push-back from the running shoe industry. In fact, some companies are actually adding minimalist running shoes that basically do nothing more than provide a layer between your feet and the road/cold air, but don't heavily cushion the heel.


It's a shame - the press seems only to focus on the barefoot running aspect, which, though interesting, is only one aspect of it. I'm just stunned that people can run 50 or 100 miles at a stretch.

Even if you don't run (and I don't) - just as a reader - WOW. Stayed up all night one weekend reading it.

[bikebloke]

1. I have it on reserve at the library.

I'm number 30 in the queue, so it'll be a while yet.

[Patiod]

3. I got to it before it got that popular

It's WELL worth the wait

I get about 95% of all my reading by reserving it from the library. I'm 141/264 in line for "Game Change"

[Schema Thing]

2. I couldn't put it down either

and I'm not much of a runner either. I had already tried a little barefoot running, just to test the concept (I'm convinced) after reading about it years ago..


hint: don't think that maybe running in socks would be a good idea to keep the chill off your feet. 15 minutes of walking/running and I had blood blisters on the balls of both feet.

[Patiod]

4. My feet don't really get cold, but thanks for the tip!

I actually have a pair of "travel sneakers" that are pretty much flat soles with neoprene on top, and they work great.

It's getting motivated to run, and keeping the girls from moving too much that are more of the issue....(a really good sports bra is PRICEY)

[bikebloke]

7. Barefoot Running Video

I remember running bare footed indoors on carpet - short distances naturally. It felt great. Though outdoors, I'd need to condition my feet. When working fields in the Negev Desert, I worked barefoot (to save my shoes - I was a poor traveller, at the time) my soles thickened to leather.

The journal Nature has a video on barefoot running:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE

[Duer 157099]

5. What are those purple things called! I want some

I'm not a runner but those look fun!

What are they?

[Patiod]

11. Vibram FiveFingers

a little out of my price range, but I want some too. But in black, so the toe thing is a little less eye-catching.

[elocs]

6. My motto is that I don't run unless I am chased and that just doesn't happen anymore.

Actually, it never really happened. In reality I avoid running because I had disk surgery 11 years ago and just don't need the body shock of running.

As far as reading goes, I just don't read books anymore. After all the reading I do on a computer I just cannot read books. Besides, I can make the print on my monitor larger but that's more problematic with your average book.

[pink-o]

8. I'm in the middle of it right now.

Like the author, I'm tall and somewhat clumsy, although I'm a woman. (most tall people aren't real graceful; usually we're tall, gawky children and coordination isn't easy when every week your height changes!!!) but since I can't dance or do aerobics without inadvertently smacking someone in the face, I run and I cycle.

I've found that Nike Zoom are great for me! I can't imagine running barefoot, I'm so knock-kneed I need arch support and stability to stop over-pronation. So even though some people can run barefoot, most of us over a certain age and without perfectly aligned knees or feet are gonna need support. Christopher McDougall is right, running this way isn't really natural for humans and without the proper equipment, we're just begging to get injured. I hope people who read this don't think they can just ditch their running shoes and take off like that!

[Patiod]

12. But isn't McDougall saying that "proper" equipment

is what is injuring us? And that all those diagnoses are corrected by ditching shoes? And that it's the SHOES and the heel and arch supports that are causing all the shin splints, pronation, and other foot, leg and hip problems? Isn't he saying that running barefoot strengthens the arches? I think he IS suggesting that people just ditch their running shoes and take off.

I don't know enough about physiology to say if any of it is true, but he does present a pretty good argument. I'm not surprised that the message resonated with me, since I have always hated wearing shoes - I spent days walking around Venice in leather flip-flops, and have walked miles and miles on the beach barefoot, and generally take walks in flip-flops. April to me is the time to get the soles of my feet tough again for all that barefoot goodness all summer.

The book inspired me to give running another try, but I realized that until I find and invest in a iron-clad sports bra, forget it. I'm tall and uncoordinated as well, but tall, clumsy and bouncing is not a good combination, either.

[pink-o]

14. Moving Comfort makes the best sports bras I've ever known!

Not that I have much to support! I'm a true ectomorph, just straight up and down. But my friend is a DD and she swears by that company.

As for "corrective" equipment, I'm not ready to give up my stability shoes! Like you, I was brought up in California and went barefoot most of my life (I'm old enough to remember when those restaurant signs: No shoes No shirt No service were actually relevant!) The soles of my feet were tougher than leather. But at aged 18 I moved to London and had to change my barefoot ways. Now as an old lady, I know how long it takes to come back from a sport's injury--about 500 percent longer than it did in my 20s! So if I'm gonna be crazy enough to run 40 miles a week (which isn't a lot) then I want all the help I can get!

I guess it's down to the individual. And for this 6'1" klutz, the Nikes are stayin' on the feet!

[midnight armadillo]

9. How 'bout ultracycling?

I have real plans on some Vibram Five Fingers shoes when I drop some more weight and want to try some minor running again. I love barefeet/slippers/etc and never cared for hefty running shoes.

If you liked ultramarathoning, you can watch Bicycle Dreams, a move about the 2005 Race Across America, a single stage, 3300 mile bike race from CA to MD.
Youtube trailer

[likesmountains 52]

10. I loved the book also. I'm a 15 mile/week runner so not close to the athletes

in the book, but there is so much more to the book than just running. It is full of interesting people, funny anecdotes and odd travel information.

[Patiod]

13. That's what's so cool about it! Not just about running!

also a travelogue of hidden parts of Mexico, facinating characters (who truly are CHARACTERS), and even food information (really? chia? like in chia pets? really?)

[XemaSab]

16. Chia is totally edible

It's a sage. :D

[eppur_se_muova]

18. Yep, chia is packed with omega-3 oils.

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3061/2 (data from USDA)

I first learned about chia from "Born to Run".

[GumboYaYa]

15. Sounds interesting

I run marathons and have been looking at doing a 50 miler. It may be just the inspiration I need.

[gmoney]

17. I know someone who does the 50 - 100 mile races in the mountains

She's in her 50s, too, and it's just astounding.

I doubt that I've run 100 cumulative miles in my entire life.