I read “Born to Run” and also found it a
stimulating, thoughtful, NON-MEDICAL book that
is certainly worth reading. The premise is that
humans are “born to run” and developed that way
millions of years ago. Interestingly, this book
is referenced by people interested in barefoot
running (either completely barefoot or wearing
a “minimal shoe” like the Vibram Five Finger
line…the biomechanics are the same) and centers
around some members of a Mexican Indian tribe
and a group of American ultra-marathoners (no
doubt in the top 0.5% of distance runners,
hardly a representative slice of current runners…
not many people can handle races of 50+ miles,
me included) but they all wear shoes or sandals
of some kind, with the lone exception of one
American who ran barefoot…and they all thought
he was a loon! So, even that book ridicules
barefoot runners (and podiatrists, too, for
suggesting that people aren’t designed for long
distance running, but I’m not offended by
that). A very interesting, NON-MEDICAL book all
the way around.
There are definitely some lessons to be learned
by switching to barefoot running, for your own
health and professional knowledge. I have been
running in Vibrams for almost 2 months,
absolutely loving it, and THAT was the message
of the book…that running should be joyful and
amazing and about having fun. Anyone
referencing the book for any other reason needs
to re-read it. I will tell you that what the
barefoot running crowd espouses is correct. Your
gait does change to a forefoot strike, feet
really do function much different barefoot, you
don’t need to limit yourself to sand or a padded
track or grass, your muscles do require adaption
because they are not working nearly that hard in
shoes, and it’s not something you can jump into
fast. But it is fun and the tactile feel is
amazing! I now have my own experience to
reference when the soldiers and airmen here ask
me about this and if they should try it. Great
stuff.
Brent A. Johnson, DPM, Elmendorf AFB, AK,
Brent.Johnson2@elmendorf.af.mil
