Born to Run

01Our bodies seem not built for running due to foot injuries

Ever thought about why so many runners get injured? It's a question that's been bugging me for a while. I mean, we're talking about 80% of runners getting some sort of injury every year. That's a lot of sprained ankles, pulled hamstrings, and sore arches. And it's not like we haven't tried to fix the problem. We've got running shoes that look like they belong in a sci-fi movie, with springs and microchips and all sorts of fancy stuff. But still, the injuries keep coming. It's a bit like drunk driving, if you think about it. Sure, it might seem like a good idea at the time, but there's always that risk of something going horribly wrong. Running's the same. It's great for your health, but every step you take puts a load of pressure on your legs - more than twice your body weight, according to the "Sports Injury Bulletin". Over time, that's like taking a hammer to your bones, muscles, and tendons. Not exactly a recipe for a long and healthy running career, is it? But here's the thing: we love to run. It's in our DNA. We run when we're scared, when we're happy, when we're stressed. We run to escape, to feel good, to prove something to ourselves. Heck, we even run more when things are tough - just look at how popular running got during the Great Depression, the Vietnam War protests, the Cold War, the Race Riots of the 60s, and after 9/11. So, what gives? Why do we, as a species, love to run, but seem to be so bad at it? I mean, you don't see antelopes or wild mustangs getting shin splints or runner's knee, do you? That's where the Tarahumara tribe comes in. These guys are like the ultra-marathoners of the animal kingdom. They can run for miles and miles without needing a break or getting injured. So, what's their secret? Well, that's the million-dollar question, isn't it? And it's one that we're going to dive into, to see if we can't figure out how to run better, and safer.