Run Free?

Well, I just got through reading a book called Born to Run by Christopher McDougal. By the end of it, I was almost ready to go out and buy Vibram Five finger shoes (here) and attempt to run the marathon in them, and be injury free for the rest of my running career. Things this book also made me want to do were: eat the seeds that Chia Pets sprout from, which apparently are amazingly nutritious, look into Ultra Marathons which involve insanely long distances over rugged terrain, and possibly try and chase a deer until it passes out (because if you can run a marathon, you might be able to accomplish this feat). Great book right?

While the book is a bit on the mystic side when it comes to the ethos of running, and how man was "born to run", I did find it really interesting to read about how the modern running shoe actually makes the foot weaker, and teaches you to run in a way that the foot was not designed to run. I am evidence of this, as when Andrew and I lived in a second floor apartment, one could hear my footfalls quite clearly as I land on my heel with each step. If I tried to do this shoeless, I would certainly be in a lot of pain after a short time, because your heel is a lousy cushion. Feet were made so that impact with the ground would be with the ball of the foot, which can absorb shock and then turn around and propel you forward. But nicely padded running shoes allow you to smack down on your heel no problem. Apparently, this ends up weakening the muscles of the foot and your arch.

For a few hours I was ready to abandon shoes all together, but Andrew talked me out of that. I am interested in trying to do some things like walking with minimal shoe, and running in the grass a bit to strengthen my feet (and feel like a hippy at the same time). This is supposed to help prevent injuries to my knees, feet, and muscles. I am curious to see if this will help really make me any faster, or protect my knees. At the least, I hope it will make me walk a bit more quietly on second story floors.

Has anyone else read this book? Let me know what you thought!