Natural Running: The Simple Path to Stronger, Healthier Running - Softcover

Abshire, Danny; Metzler, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1934030651 ISBN 13: 9781934030653

Publisher: VeloPress, 2024

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Authors

Danny Abshire is a veteran running coach and injury expert. He is the cofounder of Newton Running, a startup running shoe manufacturer specializing in shoes that promote an efficient midfoot/forefoot running gait. He has been making advanced footwear for runners and triathletes for more than 20 years.

Brian Metzler is a veteran sports journalist and runner. He is editor-in-chief of Competitor magazine and was senior editor at Running Times magazine and the founding editor of Trail Runner. Metzler is an award-winning journalist, running shoe tester, and former collegiate track runner.

From the Back Cover

“Natural Running is the definitive guide for anyone who craves the joy of effortless and timeless runs.”
—Lorraine Moller, Olympic bronze medalist and co-founder of Lydiard Online Training Systems

Enjoy all the benefits of barefoot running—while wearing shoes.

Natural Running teaches you to run the way nature intended, mimicking the healthy, efficient barefoot style you were born with, while keeping feet safe from rough modern surfaces. Backed by studies at MIT and Harvard, running form and injury expert Danny Abshire explores the science of how the body evolved to run, giving you the practical tools and information to analyze your own feet and form. Natural Running offers the technique, drills, and an 8-week transition plan for faster, better, healthier running.

Discover how you were meant to run.

“Danny brings a simple, sensible approach to transforming your running. His knowledge of running form and biomechanics can help all runners become more efficient.”
—Mark Allen, six-time Ironman World Champion, and co-author of Fit Soul, Fit Body: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You

Danny Abshire is a passionate lifelong runner and co-founder of Newton Running, where he has spent 10 years designing and refining Newton running shoes. As a longtime running form coach and injury expert, he has worked closely with thousands of athletes, from beginners to Olympic elites, helping them improve their running form and technique.

Brian Metzler is Senior Editor for Running Times and has written about endurance sports for Runner’s World, Triathlete, Inside Triathlon, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, and Outside.

Edition details

• Publisher: VeloPress
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1934030651
• ISBN 13: 9781934030653
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200