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Natural Running is the middle ground runners have been looking for. By learning to run the barefoot way—while wearing shoes—runners will become more efficient, stronger, and healthier runners. Backed by studies at MIT and Harvard, running form and injury expert Danny Abshire presents the natural running technique, form drills, and an 8-week transition plan that will put runners on the path to faster, more efficient, and healthier running.
In Natural Running, Abshire explains how modern running shoes distort the efficient running technique that humans evolved over thousands of years. He reviews the history of running shoes and injuries, making the case for barefoot running but also warning about its dangers. By learning the natural running technique, runners can enjoy both worlds—comfortable feet, knees, and legs and an efficient running form that reduces impact and injuries.
Natural Running teaches runners to think about injuries as symptoms of poor running form. Abshire specifies the overuse injuries that are most commonly associated with particular body alignment problems, foot types, and form flaws. Runners will learn how to analyze and identify their own characteristics so they can start down the path to natural running.
Abshire explains the natural running technique, describing the posture, arm carriage, cadence, and land-lever-lift foot positioning that mimic the barefoot running style. Using Abshire's 8-week transition plan and a tool kit of strength and form drills, runners will move from heel striking to a midfoot or forefoot strike.
Natural Running is the newest way to run and also the oldest. By discovering how they were meant to run, runners will become more efficient, stronger, and healthier runners.
Foreword Paula Newby-Fraser xi
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction: Evolution to a Running Revolution 1
1 What Is Natural Running? 9
2 Evolution of a Sport and a Shoe 21
3 Into the Lab: Examining Your Running Form 41
4 The Science of Motion: Three Gaits 53
5 Foot Biomechanics: A Close Examination 63
6 The Physics of Running: Whole-Body Kinematics 79
7 A New Way to Look at Common Running Injuries 95
8 Natural Running, Unnatural World 109
9 Dynamic Strength and Form Drills 119
10 Natural Running: An Eight-Week Transition Plan 143
Resources 169
Index 173
About the Authors 181
I have been a fan and use Newton's running shoes. Danny as the founder of the company has eloquently discussed his philosophy behind the design and concept of his shoes and as a result, talks about natural running. The book is an easy read and I found it educational and entertaining.
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Overview
Natural Running is the middle ground runners have been looking for. By learning to run the barefoot way—while wearing shoes—runners will become more efficient, stronger, and healthier runners. Backed by studies at MIT and Harvard, running form and injury expert Danny Abshire presents the natural running technique, form drills, and an 8-week transition plan that will put runners on the path to faster, more efficient, and healthier running.
In Natural Running, Abshire explains how modern running shoes distort the efficient running technique that humans evolved over thousands of years. He reviews the history of running shoes and injuries, making the case ...