Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
You don’t stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running.
Fascinating book for all people, not only runners. Mc Dougell not only crafts his theory and findings around an actual story with amazing prowess, at times he haunts you with his insight. Especially at junctures where he describes two stars of ultra running one from the modern era and one from ancients history, reaching out to the technique perfected over 2000 years, one from the start and one from the finish (similar to the movie Curious case of Benjamin Button) and realizing how identically they have perfect the art of utlra running. There is not a dull moment in the book, touching varied subjects like modern medicine , evolution, abstract science, brain usage, diet, ageing, and finally weaving it all together to culminate in his theory human beings evolved from neanderthals for ultra distance running and perfected the art by using their endurance techniques to outsmart the prey as well as to stay healthy.
The story unveils the lie that sneaker companies had been telling us for years – that cushioning is good for our feet. Evidence based research tells us that before 1970s the sneaker companies took over the world running related injuries were far less in the world. This makes you think what kind of unholy partnerships would modern medical schools and sneaker companies had. Also the vacuum of evidence any of the sneaker companies has to provide on cushioned shoes reduces injury. Shoes only takes away pain, it does not reduce impact on your bones or your back.
Tarahumara indians, the hidden tribe of super athelets run 100 mile races on thin sandals tied to their feet. You can Chris using one in the video below. Just think how the billion dollar industry of sneaker companies build their edifice on a pack of lies and costing health and injury to generations
Nike when they realized, they tried redemption, see video
