Comments on: Born to Run is Not Only About Barefoot Running: How Christopher McDougall Really Became an Ultra Runner

By: Born to Run « Skyblue State of Mind

Born to Run « Skyblue State of Mind — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:09:12 +0000

[...] addition to science and running tips (which are nicely summarized in this article), the book is full of amazing stories about ultrarunning (e.g., the Leadville 100 Race), and [...]

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:30:21 +0000

I have to say, i agree with much of what you said.
I have just finished ‘Born to Run’, and I totally loved it. It was a beautiful reminder of the joy of running, and why we like to do it.
The characters that were introduced to me were amazing and inspiring – more so, I think because they are real people, capable of mistakes but also capable of the most amazing feats – as a relatively new runner my eyes are constantly being showed how extraordinarly far people can push themselves, especially when it’s a joy not a push.
On the barefoot topic, I did find myself occasionally picking spots I would argue with, but was also intrigued to try barefoot running in small doses, with the aid of someone who’s knowledge on the topic and human running form is far vaster than mine, to help correct my runing technique.
Mostly, what I got from the book, was about how much I enjoy running outside and seeing the world go by, and yep, it has definitely inspired me to try some trails!

By: Fitz

Fitz — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 15:21:28 +0000

Well put James. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.

By: James

James — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 03:45:25 +0000

What I took from BTR was that the human body is wonderfully made for running long. We all have the potential to do precisely that. The problem, I think the book points out, is that we too often get in our own way. Poor diets, harmful lifestyle choices, loss of community and meaningful social ties and a reliance on technology for quick fixes. When truth be told we already have all the necessary tools at hand.
Perhaps above all, I took from it that trail running is one way to strip away some of the impractical crap, to reconnect, reinvigorate and have fun. The trails, compared to the road, are less about competition and more about community. I have not and likely won’t purchase any VFFs. Instead, I have moved from Brooks Beast to Defyance (neutral) and Racer ST and am eagerly awaiting the release of Pure Project. I have tweaked my form, embrace hills and live for trails now where it’s less about the finish and more about the journey. I think that would bring a smile to Caballo and the Raramuri.

By: BarefootLorena

BarefootLorena — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:00:17 +0000

I agree people misinterpret BtR and that proper form is the point and not just ditching the shoes. However, going completely barefoot is the best way to get proper form, and once you get proper form you can wear whatever shoe you want (or continue barefoot like me!). Vibrams and the like HINDER proper form because they tend to cause people to do more than their weak feet muscles and tendons allow. I started in vibrams and ditched them when i saw that my hurting calves and foot pains disappeared when i went barefoot. When barefoot, if youre running with improper form (like too far up on the metatarsals and toes, not bending the knees enough) youll it will feel uncomfortable or get blisters right away, whereas with Vibrams you wont notice till your calves hurt A LOT and you might injury your achilles tendons (Ive seen it happen many times). Going barefoot lets you know immediately if you-re doing it right or wrong. I was cautious and i built up to 5k barefoot in TWO MONTHS… at month six I can now run 15k barefoot, no blisters no hurting knee. Everyone who starts out in vibrams, or the like, gets hurt because they do too much too soon. Start barefoot, start SUPER short (less than 3k bf a week, less than 1k bf per session) and add only 10% bf a week. Once you know you got the form down, wear vibrams, huaraches, or regular big cushioned shoes!

By: Fitz

Fitz — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 01:41:21 +0000

Hey Griff – I’d recommend not doing all of your runs in VFF’s. That’s going to put a LOT of stress on your feet and lower legs. Use them (and some barefoot running) as a tool to become a better runner. You don’t have to go all or nothing. Check out this post for more: http://strengthrunning.com/2010/03/using-minimalism-as-a-tool-not-a-way-of-life/

By: Griff

Griff — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:29:47 +0000

I recently read BTR. Found it very entertaining, and inspiring. Bought VFF and have two 1/2 mile runs completed in VFF. My plan is to slowly build up distance as my feet and muscles adjust. My question/concern is whether it is more dangerous to switch back and forth from VFF to my other shoes (standard New Balance) for training (will this confuse my feet/stride and increase chance of injury?), or just do all of my runs in my new VFF. Any thoughts for me?

Btw, thanks for a great post!

By: Fitz

Fitz — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:39:33 +0000

Well put. Thanks for the comment Dave.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:00:33 +0000

I stumbled onto this thread a bit late, but I wanted to add what, to me, is the elephant in the room of BTR which no one ever talks about: the sandals that the Tarahumara run in are made of recycled tires. If you think about it, these have got to be thicker and more protective than the Brooks Beast! Yes, they’re flat (no heel rise), but there’s nothing minimal about them. They have absolutely nothing in common with the paper-thin high-tech sandals sold by Barefoot Ted and others.

Don’t get me wrong, I own those and every other variety of minimalist shoes, and love them. But after attempting to run in nothing but that kind of footwear, I fractured my 2nd metatarsal. This is becoming known as THE 5 Fingers injury. During my 6 weeks of down time as it healed, I decided that it happened because I was forcing a forefoot landing and running on trails without enough protection. And this is after doing the transition just right (on the surface, anyway). I eased into it very very slowly over the course of a year or so.

So be careful. And heed Jason’s advice: don’t get too ideological about minimalism!

By: Fitz

Fitz — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:08:13 +0000

You’ve certainly adopted a minimalist runner’s approach to shoes, that’s great. I think your shoe minimalism is helping you enjoy running and prevent injuries – it’s so much more fun, isn’t it?

Like you, Born to Run opened a lot of doors for me and made me seriously consider doing an ultra marathon. It’s very inspiring to see what’s possible. I’ve even reread the book recently (and it’s just as good the second time around).