My client Kevin, a former Ironman, marathoner and adventure racer, called me recently to help him get ready for a half-marathon trail race. Having been mired in work and work travel, his kids' sports schedules and just the stresses of life, he found himself out of shape and barely working out. This was not a natural state for him. And after reading Christopher McDougall's book, "Born To Run," as he waited for planes in airports across the country, Kevin was motivated to lace up his shoes again. 
 
This guy is one of those people who likes to talk about why he isn't a real runner, even though he has completed these longer events. Bigger guy. Tall. Likes to lift weights. And for years I told him everyone can run. He didn't believe me.... Til he read this book.
 
Not only did he decide to get back into running, he chose a trail race, which surprised me, and he recommended I pick up the book. "I thought of you as I read this," he said. I crossed his mind, because I advocate for running a certain way - hips tucked under the body, feet striking right below the hips, shorter and more efficient strides with higher turnover, and coming down on the midfoot, rather than the heel. In my years of coaching, I had been able to get people running who had been told they couldn't run. All it took was an adjustment to the stride and a strengthening of the lower abs and the glute medius. And voila. They were able to run and run distances they hadn't been able to before. Without injury.
 
I have also noticed an upward trend in plantar fasciitis and lower leg injuries I was attributing to people wearing shoes that were too stable. The foot, even if you pronate, needs to hit the ground naturally. Having had a bout of PF caused by shoes myself, I corrected the problem that hung on for 18 months, in a few short weeks with a simple change back to a very neutral shoe,
 
This book talks about all of this, with convincing science to back up the legitimacy of the notion of free running. It touches on why we are indeed born to run, biomechanically and through the evolution of our species. All of this is served to us in the midst of a captivating story that introduces us to a tribe in Mexico that can run for very long distances. They are the inspiration for a race that has all the best ultra marthoners in the world showing up to run with these tribal distance legends.
 
I don't really want to give too much away here. It is definitely worth picking up. Not only is the story a good one but it really reinforces what many of us who are distance runners have felt intrinsically: We are not only capable of distance running, but it is what we are made to do. 
 
For me, what resonated here is that much of this is what I have always believed, through my own experience. But as we all know, running is something many folks dismiss. How many times do you hear, "How long is a marathon? I don't drive that far." For the time I have been a distance runner, I have heard too often to count that I am crazy. That the body wasn't meant to do this. And the more ultras I ran, the more frequent these comment became
 
Yesterday, in fact, as I discussed the book with a fellow runner, a multiple Boston Marathon qualifier and Ironman triathlete, she echoed these same sentiments! In a backhanded compliment, she told me, not everyone was like me. Not everyone could run every day or for long periods of time. It seemed fruitless to argue. I just asked her to pick up the book and read for herself.
 
What makes this so intriguing is that the author describes in detail his own issues with running and injury. He tells of how he could only run a certain number of days a week and a certain amount of weekly mileage before he would get injured. But as he learns proper form, correct biomechanics and the elements of proper running he excels, managing distances he could only dream of previously. And he does not suffer injury at all.  
 
McDougall also makes the valid point that we work on our swim strokes and bike positions, why would we assume that our running form is something we shouldn't tinker with? Again, misguided assumption on the part of a public not properly informed about how this process works.
 
He also touches on the fact that the level of disease in this country is directly related to the sedentary lifestyle that has become a hallmark of the American experience. An obvious statement. But what makes it all the more compelling is his argument, that as we stray from what we were born to do, in activity, lifestyle, eating habits, etc... we get sicker and sicker as a community. 
 
The good news here is that we can all make changes that allow us to get back to this previous incarnation of ourselves. No matter your age, your history, your personal experience, there are ways to return to this healthier version of ourselves. The body is resilient and forgiving. And with each positive choice we open healthier doors for ourselves and not only extend our life expectancy but improve the quality of the life we have left.
 
Obviously, I recommend this book. As athletes ourselves, we already understand so much of what is said in those pages, as it is what we live each day. But it is a great reminder to keep our ideas and options open about what we are capable of. At any age.
 
Now go get in a run.
 
Keep training.
Coach Lisa M.