Author: Christopher McDougall

I’m not sure what inspired me to pick up this book, especially considering I am notorious for making the claim I don’t run unless I’m being chased.

I guess people kept telling me it was a good book and I’m a sucker for a compelling non-fiction narrative (and fiction obviously).

Not only am I not disappointed, but I’m both entertained and inspired. This book makes me want to get off my writing keyster and run like mad.

The purpose of the book was to show the reader all humans were born runners, but civilization and domestication made us lazy. Real lazy.

Then it gave us bad images of what running was and should be, which furthered our resolve to stay sedentary. If we weren’t doing it right, then why bother?

The section that blew me away the most was about barefoot running.

For years, I was told I hyper-pronate and need supportive footwear/orthotics, otherwise I’d be causing myself serious knee and back injuries.

Yet, I’ve always been the most comfortable in bare feet. Years of martial arts may have conditioned that feeling, but I also swore by my Nike Free 3.0, which were my most comfortable shoe for serious walking (as close as you can get to barefoot at the time). After they discontinued the line, I was disappointed with anything else.

It was after I ditched my orthotics (which wore down), I started doing yoga and noticed my arches started reforming. Weird.

I haven’t gone back to anything supportive and after reading this book, I understand why. My feet were a perfect support structure if I let them.

I immediately picked up a pair of Xero shoes and that’s what I teach in now. No support and standing/pacing all day. Feet, knees and back never felt better.

Thanks to the inspiration of this book, I’m excited to pick up running for good. I’ve made a few attempts over the years, but now I have the confidence to do my thing.