Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not a huge fan of repetitive cardiovascular exercise. I factor in quite a bit of cardiovascular response, but thats usually through circuit training work of some sort in the gym. This aside, I’ve been a big fan of short distance barefoot running for quite a while now, along with anything or anybody who promotes it.
It takes a lot to shake the foundations of what I think’is correct about exercise and evolution, that’s why I want to share this book with you;
Born To Run, by Christopher McDougall
The book is loosely based on the Tarahumara, a reclusive tribe in Northern Mexico whose recreational activities include running hundreds of miles in a stretch, directly following all-night, corn-beer feuled orgies.
These guys came up to Colorado to run the Leadville 100, a greuling 100 mile running race that starts at 10,000ft…..
The Tarahumara tribesman stood at the starting line, put out their cigarettes, and promptly smoked the best ultrarunners in the world. Not only that, but they did it wearing leather straps for shoes, and comfortable smiles through the whole 19 hour race.
Crazy.
Aside from amazing stories, the book holds a place in my heart because of the long breakdown of why modern running shoes are just plain terrible for running. If you want to wake up your feet and become a much stronger runner in the meantime, ditch your shoes and start going barefoot…..or get a pair of these.
