Were we born to run?

An underwhelming read. He makes a load of unsourced assertions that adaptations that are almost exclusively seen in running mammals (e.g. nuchal ligament, big glutes, high arches) are in fact there to make us better walkers. What evidence does he have for this? Zero; just his say so. Why did we accidentally evolve a load of running specific adaptations when we might have been better off for walking with, say, something resembling hooves? Mere coincidence.

He comes across as someone who is morally against marathons and is doing his best to make it seem like the most unnatural thing in the world. He suggests that two legs is a terrible adaptation for running (ostriches have entered the chat) and that humans would have been incredible scavengers (as if a human would sniff out a corpse before hyenas or the like would have picked it to the bone).

I'd simply suggest that if humans have the ability to beat a horse over a marathon on a hot day (as we see now and then during the annual man vs horse marathon) that such an ability doesn't evolve by pure accident.

If we were physiologically meant to run high mileage we wouldn't all be perpetually injured.

Simple as that.

I agree that high running mileage isn't necessarily natural but at the same time, when you take a population of largely sedentary people who sit on their bums all day (even 'active' people) and throw them into marathon training (often in shoes that reduce their proprioception to essentially zero) then injury is inevitable. Take a population who are not sedentary and have years of loading their tendons effectively (Kenyans, Ugandans, Ethiopians) and that 'perpetual injury' rate drops by a huge degree. When was the last time Kipchoge was injured?

The reality,if you evaluate natural running, is we were born for sprint and rest and sprint and rest. Kids have a natural tendency to free sprint. Then rest and free sprint again. Nothing about thinking of relaxed arms or body position or time or pace or place. So we were born for running but not necessarily for training.

I remember Mike Tyson said on his podcast how boxing was unnatural. He mentioned that you have to wear gloves, otherwise you would break your hands. Distance running (especially on pavement) seems just as unnatural to me, but I don't think that makes it any less meaningful.

We were born to rush

You do realise that of the forty two man bs horse races won, humans have only won three times?

Born to run was by far the dumbest book I ever read about running. Chi running would come second.
The "Hidden tribe" McDugall discovered is known for, where discovered by the Spaniards in the 1500s.
That guy created a BS story why got the barefoot movement to the next level.
Teva later had to pay in a class action lawsuit for their unsubstantiated claims.

McDugall is probable the person who pushed the most people into injuries. He should be in the Guinness Book of Records just for that.

Yes, which I think is absolutely incredible given that it takes place in Wales, where the average temperature during the race month is 14C (57F). Humans can only win this race in hot weather- move the race to the equator and the odds will change considerably in our favour. This of course fits neatly with the persistence hunt hypothesis given African hunters will only choose the hottest part of the day to hunt, as evidenced here:

bbc.co.uk

Kenyans chase down and catch goat-killing cheetahs

https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews

Four villagers in north-eastern Kenya chase down and capture alive two cheetahs which were killing their goats.

Link:www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-249539...

I’m so confused now and can’t decide whether or how much or at what pace to run until I know what my prehistoric ancestors did and why.

We were born to cover long distances....walking.

Alan

"Who's WE sukka?

"Tramps like us" were born to run.

Not sure why my post was deleted, it’s completely true.

”yes we were born to run. Most people live a sad existence now and never get off their butt. You don’t use it, you lose it”

there letsrun, I said “butt” instead of an expletive.

That article is directed toward fat hobby joggers who think jogging is the best way to lose weight.

Runners are not thin because they run. They gravitate towards running because they are naturally thin. Just like powerlifters gravitate towards powerlifting because they are naturally built like tree trunks.

Humans are one of the most adaptable species on the planet. We are omnivores and can eat nearly anything. Different groups of us evolved to be skinny long-distance persistence hunters, fat aquatic island hoppers, giant Nordic ice boulder throwers.....whatever...
And I don't care what science digs up....if it feels good, do it.

Bottom line is:

***** IF IT FEELS GOOD, DO IT ******

Oh just kidding. This guy just made two threads to get more views for his article

And if it doesn't FEEL GOOD, then don't force yourself to do it. Bunch of obese hobby joggers thinking that they are going to get those six-pack abs by jogging. Silly jogger, running is NOT for weight loss, running is to feel the wind rushing through your hair as you CRUSH your opponent. Running is to feel the chemistry of neurotransmitters and hormones flood your brain with the phlegm of GOD. Euphoria.

Running should feel good and natural. If it doesn't, find another hobby, there are plenty other ones out there. Take up bowling or powerlifting.

McDougall in first place, followed by trackhead.

If you want longevity and optimal health, then take frequent 15-minute brisk walks throughout the day and do easy-moderate resistance training with bands.

But if you are looking to LICK EVERY DROP of enjoyment from life and drink it with love and ecstasy, then competitive running and powerlifting is what you should do.

"PERRRRRHHHHH....but you'll destroy your knees". Yeah, but at least you lived LIFE to its fullest.

Actually no… it was a genuine mistake. I thought my first effort hadn’t been added, so tried again…then realised that there were two of the same post.

I tried to delete one, but couldn’t find how to do it…my bad…

if there is a way to delete, can someone let me know, so I can get rid of one…thanks.