In the book, Born to Run , author Christopher McDougall talks about how the remote Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyon in Mexico became expert long distance runners even in to old age. An important aspect of their running as been taken up by scores of runners today who have switched from cushiony expensive running shoes to more minimalist "coverings" that simulate the barefoot running. And an important consequence of barefoot or "almost barefoot" running (since now we can purchase expensive minimalist running shoes with little or no support) is a shift from landing hard on our heels, to running more on our toes.
In the video below, local runner Jon Udell (who also happens to be Microsoft's technology Blogger) talks about his revelation that "running on one's toes" is the key to success (since toes are like springs).
I was thinking how interesting it is that so many people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD's) naturally walk on their toes, especially when they are young. When doctors see kids walking on their toes, they refer to it as a "soft neurological sign" or a sign of some unknown brain abnormality. But the Indians of Copper Canyon run barefoot, on their toes, from the time they are young until they are quite old. For these folks, toe walking is seen as "advantageous" and not "pathological."
As for me, I've been running on and off with minimalist running shoes for several years and continue to work on "staying on my toes." It's hard though since I've been so hard-wired and trained (for example, by running shoe companies) to do the opposite. I wonder, then, if there might be some evolutionary advantage to being oriented toward "staying on one's toes?" Could the "pathology" in this case, really be the most healthy response?
In the book, Born to Run , author Christopher McDougall talks about how the remote Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyon in Mexico became expert long distance runners even in to old age. An important aspect of their running as been taken up by scores of runners today who have switched from cushiony expensive running shoes to more minimalist "coverings" that simulate the barefoot running. And an important consequence of barefoot or "almost barefoot" running (since now we can purchase expensive minimalist running shoes with little or no support) is a shift from landing hard on our heels, to running more on our toes.
In the video below, local runner Jon Udell (who also happens to be Microsoft's technology Blogger) talks about his revelation that "running on one's toes" is the key to success (since toes are like springs).
I was thinking how interesting it is that so many people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD's) naturally walk on their toes, especially when they are young. When doctors see kids walking on their toes, they refer to it as a "soft neurological sign" or a sign of some unknown brain abnormality. But the Indians of Copper Canyon run barefoot, on their toes, from the time they are young until they are quite old. For these folks, toe walking is seen as "advantageous" and not "pathological."
As for me, I've been running on and off with minimalist running shoes for several years and continue to work on "staying on my toes." It's hard though since I've been so hard-wired and trained (for example, by running shoe companies) to do the opposite. I wonder, then, if there might be some evolutionary advantage to being oriented toward "staying on one's toes?" Could the "pathology" in this case, really be the most healthy response?