Apparently, there is some debate as to whether the Born to Run book actually stands for barefoot running or not. I wouldn't think there would be much debate, as the book clearly lays out the ground work for why barefoot running is potentially a better way to run than when shod with heavily soled shoes. Yet, in this
article interviewing Caballo Blanco, the comments suggest that there is some debate.
Take for example, this commentator who explains his/her frustration in the following way:
Every time I read a review of the book or a manifesto on barefoot running with comments about how "Born to Run" tells the tale of how awesome barefoot running is I want to scream and ask if the person actually read, let alone finished the book.
But it is a tale of why barefoot running may actually promote a better running form that results in less injury and then explains why this is so from an evolutionary basis. Its not so much an original work per se, but Born to Run does put the pieces together into a nice story that attempts to explain why modern shoes with thick soles do not in fact help us run better. I have to wonder if this commentator read the book.
Certainly, I will admit that the barefoot running theme (which is one of many in Born to Run) appears to have stolen the show. Yet, everyone I know that has read the book comes to the conclusion that running barefoot is probably the best way to hone your running form outside of having your own running coach. It also seems to be the most powerful theme throughout the book; one to which the author returns again and again.
And, to be clear, the quote from Caballo Blanco in this article only states that he is not overly into barefoot running and that no one in the book is really described as being a barefoot runner except for Ted. I agree with that statement although I would think that the Tarahumara Indians would qualify as barefoot runners (or at least minimalist runners in that they run with tire strapped to the feet). Thus, Caballo Blanco is a bit misleading with his statement. Still, the driving force behind Born to Run still remains, in my opinion, a tale of how we are born to run (meaning, in part, barefoot). I simply don't understand the confusion.
