Why you should read Born to Run

Born to run is a fascinating book that dramatically altered the beliefs of a large population of one of the largest communities in the world, runners. 

In summary the book suggests that, like the Mexican tribe Tarahumara, we should all run barefoot. If your anyone who hasn't read the book you might well be thinking that that sounds stupid. Why would you risk injuring and slowing yourself down?

Well, despite what every doctor, physiotherapist and parent has every told you, Christopher McDougall suggests that we should run without these shoes. They lock up our feet - he goes as far as to say that wearing that nice pare of Nike running shoes actually increases your chance of injury.

Don't let that confuse you, this is not a scientific myth buster - as the books slogan (the hidden tribe, the ultra runners, the greatest race the world has never seen) suggests this book is far more than that. In fact it is an adventure fuelled, slightly novelised, true story that has invigorated huge amounts of people to ditch the things that coddle your feet, and prevent them from moving naturally, in favour of using your body as it is supposed to be used.

McDougall spends some time on a theory which suggests in the past humans did not hunt like lions, not like any other animal I know of that is currently alive, he suggests we had a rather more primitive technique than even that. He says we would run after our prey - no matter how fast - so long as we could keep it in sight, then simply keep running after it. Due to many animals less developed natural cooling systems, sweat etc, they would eventually have to stop to cool down, and eventually would no longer be able to run without risking of literally running themselves to death. That is when we could catch them.

This means, McDougall says, that our body was built for running long distances and doesn't need shoes to help it. He tells us that since people have started wearing shoes the amount of injuries has actually increased. 

Furthermore, he tells the story of the Tarahumara, who he visits and races against with many of the other best ultramarathoners in the world in the "greatest race the world has never seen". He tells how, despite the lucrative sponsorship deals stuck up, the Tarahumara raced and won the prestigious, 100 mile, Leadville 100 race in nothing but homemade tires.

This book, despite claims it has been novelised to fit McDougall's narrative, presents a fascinating point of view and argument that attempts to persuade you to ditch the shoes, 

It's paramount feature though, is that it simply inspires you to go out for a run.

That is definitely a good idea. Why don't you do it now?

9/10