Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen – Christopher McDougall
Our bodies can run forever. But Science won’t tell you that.
You don’t stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running.
Our bodies were constructed to run far
You may believe that your human body is slow in comparison to animals such as horses. But did you know that those two legs of yours can outrun any animal on the planet?
When it comes to sheer speed, many animals will triumph over a short distance. A fit person can outrun a horse in a marathon on a hot day. This is due to the fact that human bodies are efficient and have endurance.
The running features in our bodies
Sweating enables your body to regulate temperature much more effectively than other animals. Because most other mammals cannot sweat, they must release heat through breathing.
Galloping occurs when four-legged animals run. It’s fast, but the movement of the animal’s galloping legs compresses its lungs.
Our ability to run on two legs, while slower, allows our chest to expand, allowing us to expand our air capacity. We can breathe at any rate we want.
You don’t have to be fast. But you’d better be fearless.
A Glimpse at the Tarahumara
Tarahumara Indians can run for up to 300 miles without stopping. They’ve honed their ability to run over difficult terrain without the use of costly running shoes. A world-class runner once ran 435 miles nonstop.
Because they live in isolation, the legend of this isolated tribe is shrouded in mystery.
The tribe, which can be considered the world’s best runners, leaves no trace. They have light feet, run over invisible trails, and leave almost no carbon footprint. They live in a peaceful community with no hatred or depression, are virtually disease-free, and they have no cancer cases.
Shoes are bad for you
Advertising and shoe companies will lead you to believe that it’s all about the running gear, especially the shoes. This is not correct.
It is false to claim that high-tech shoes reduce injuries or improve performance. In fact, as running shoe technology advances, injuries do not decrease one iota. Running-related injuries continue to be extremely common. Every year, 65%–80% of runners are injured, and this includes both beginners and seasoned athletes.
Wearing a shoe is similar to wearing a plaster cast around the foot for most runners. A shoe, like a cast, restricts movement and weakens the muscles in the foot. Because of this imbalance, the rest of the body places additional strain on other muscles and joints, increasing the risk of injury.
Shoes can also
Shoes can also be harmful to your form. Because they are so cushioned, runners are not bothered by harmful impacts on the ground as they run. This may cause them to adopt a poor running gait, increasing their risk of injury. Running barefoot allows the body to adapt to a more efficient running stride.
Some of the best-conditioned runners in the best shoes on the market are suffering from shin splints, Achilles heels, and plantar fasciitis. Runners who wear high-end shoes are 123% more likely to be injured.
Barefoot Running
Barefoot running is much better for your feet. Many evolutionary traits in our bodies help us run. Your feet have natural abilities that are hampered by running shoes.
Modern running shoes provide excessive foot stability. When we run, our feet roll inward, a condition known as pronation. Our lower legs benefit from this as a shock absorber. Unfortunately, we blamed pronation for the common condition known as “runner’s knee.”
Ultrarunning
People despise running because it has taken away their sense of freedom, joy, and glee. When we look to children for inspiration, we see this mindset at work. Children constantly run; we tell them to slow down and take it easy. We restrain them. We despise it when they run with awe and ecstasy.
Because there is no money or real fame in ultrarunning, it is a fairly pure sport. As a result, people who run long distances do so because they are drawn towards the pure feeling.
The Two Goddesses
In your heart, there are two goddesses. There are two goddesses: the Goddess of Wisdom and the Goddess of Wealth. Everyone believes that wealth must come first, followed by wisdom. As a result, they are preoccupied with obtaining money.
You must surrender your heart to the Goddess of Wisdom. Give her your undivided attention and love, and the Goddess of Wealth will become envious and follow you.
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