Born to Run discussion

I'm not a big runner, but this book will inspire anyone to become one. What a great story. Makes me want to go out and do fifty miles today! Good thing I know better.

This book had that affect on me as well:) I'm not up to 50, but I've done a 16-miler in FiveFingers.

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I've been wanting to read this one:

That was exactly what I felt, too- what I said in my review.

This book is a good read even if you are not a runner. As a runner, it was the best thing I did to switch to barefoot running and minimal shoes. With my Five Finger shoes I have ran three marathons, and two half marathon in them, and now there's no going back.

I read that book as I started my running regiment - I went from barely able to run for 50 seconds to running five miles. I think his discussion on feet and form was the most enlightening piece of information. Running on the palms of my feet was awkward and painful for my previously underutilized calves at first, but it made all the difference. I always thought I was just one of those people who wasn't built to run, but it was interesting to see that all I really had to do was challenge what I had been taught about diet and running

I totally wanted to run after reading this book. My severe arthritis keeps me from doing so, but overall this is a brilliant book even if you aren't a runner.

It is a wonderful read for non-runners. This is true not only because the Born to Run reveals a very intuitive truth about how we were built to run, but also because the author weaves his passion and energy for running and those who run into the fabric of his story. I was taken with the colorful characters and places. Admittedly, I don't run because of many unsuccessful attempts. Therefore, before reading this book I happily proclaimed that I had no desire, ever, to run. Now, I may give it another try.

First of all, I loved the book. To someone as lazy as me it has instilled at least the urge to move my butt. All in all a wonderful book. However I want to discuss something else. At the end of the book, the author recommends - quite strongly - the magazine Men's Health. That left me confused. I think this particular magazine is totally antithetical to the basic philosophy (if I got it right) of the book. There are quite a few instances in the book that are on the lines of anti-materialism and such; yet this magazine is nothing if not materialistic. Just look at the infinite ads in it. I don't deny the useful articles etc. but I'm talking something else here.
Also, anyone who has read Bad Science by Ben Goldacre would take the numerous researches mentioned in Men's Health with a pinch of salt.

I basically didn't wear shoes until I started school and as soon as the school day was over, shoes came off. To this day, I still prefer going bare. Not a runner for various excuses, thinking I might give it another go.

Being on a soccer team most of my life I have seen running as a punishment. I only have one more year left of collegiate eligibility and I hope this book will change my mind about running.

This is a great book - really well done and super interesting!

His journey is so fascinating, and it was wonderful to learn about the culture and history of the Tarahumara tribe. I wasn't really a runner before but this definitely does inspire, like Kate said!

In case you wanted to read it, we're giving away a copy on our webpage, www.uniglobethetraveltimes.com. Find the giveaway here: http://on.fb.me/JcNmBr - all you have to do is guess our cover photo for a chance to win! You can also find a link to rules and regs in the photo description.

At message 9, kinda sorta thinking about getting into jogging. As of this week, I'm up to 1.5 mile jogging, 1.5 miles walking three times a week and 3 miles walking two times a week. By mid July I hope to be jogging 9 miles in a week.

Yes this is an inspirational book, but I have to say the most fascinating discovery was that tribes in Africa are still catching prey by just jogging after them until they die of heat exhaustion. Something made possible because we can breath independently of our foot strikes unlike almost every other animal on Earth. And it goes some way to prove that we are born to run.

This is inspiring as I read it before going on to run the London Marathon last year and I still love running now. I have to say I think he's a little hard on Nike and other trainer manufacturers. If it wasn't for them I think there would a lot less people running and doing exercise than there are now.

Awesome story though and so well written. Incidentally I'm meeting Barefoot Ted on thursday in Brighton, UK.

Been running marathons for many years - always in the best, latest, greatest running shoes and I always wondered how, as a child, I managed to go barefoot all summer long. (grew up in the sticks of MN) Chris's novel has inspired me to return to my roots. No more $200 running shoes. I've have a pair with +600 miles on them and they will do nicely, thank you very much.

One of my favorite dreams is of running. I go on endlessly and never tire. The book, is so informative, opening my eyes to a world of athleticism that is never shown to the viewing public. History, story, anatomy, friendships, competition, nutrition...this book has those and more.

Transformed the way I approached my running. Became a runner accidentally thro' triathlon. Used to be a cyclist (still am, I s'pose) took up tri's, hated the run leg (because i hadnt learnt how to run!) interesting point in the book by mr. McDougall - you have to learn to run, like you learn to swim. Im now up to 10 miles barefoot and a lot quicker than I used to be. All that stuff aside, Its also an entertaining read about amazing people. The book and the Tarahumara were the inspiration for this blog post. http://kealansbikeshed.blogspot.ie/20...

I had fun reading the book thinking of running in the woods and desert.

Jogging at the gym is fun for me. I didn't get any inspiration from this book but the scenes were fun to imagine. I also have fun skateboarding. I can't imagine jogging over 5 miles.

I found this book good but a bit long. Just watch

D TV programme on BBC 4 which shows a human foot being dissected. Really linked in nicely
Better book for me on running was

As a long time competitive runner, dating back to the early 70's and prone to say things like "Back in my day there were two kinds of shoes, the left and the right shoe," I loved this book. The story itself, names of which I'm familiar with, is fun and entertaining, but the true message of the book is something that I complained about back in the 80's, when I noticed running shoes, especially Nikes, started looking more and more like pontoons. This was also the time that running shoes became more popular to non-runners due to their obvious comfort factor. Anyway, since that time I've had to spend way too much searching for shoes that suit my purpose for training and racing, and I often buy marathon training shoes for regular training.

Anyway, those that do embrace the message of the book please, and I can't say it enough, please gradually work your way into the newer, thinner shoes out there. I'm talking many months as a transition period. It's sad but even with all the hype over the shoe industry's excessive shoe padding, the injury rate has not abated. And, it's because people jump right onto the new breed of shoes and their lower extremities haven't adapted quickly enough.