Born To Run | Human Evolution | DISCOVER Magazine

More research into the evolution of running:

Unlike many mammals, not to mention primates, people are astonishingly successful endurance runners, "and I don't think it's just a fluke," Lieberman says. He and Bramble argue that not only can humans outlast horses, but over long distances and under the right conditions, they can also outrun just about any other animal on the planet—including dogs, wolves, hyenas, and antelope, the other great endurance runners. From our abundant sweat glands to our Achilles tendons, from our big knee joints to our muscular glutei maximi, human bodies are beautifully tuned running machines. "We're loaded top to bottom with all these features, many of which don't have any role in walking," Lieberman says. Our anatomy suggests that running down prey was once a way of life that ensured hominid survival millions of years ago on the African savanna.

Get Started with Barefoot Running

I think this is how I run in shoes anyway. I'm definitely not a heal-striker.

• Strides should be short - don't extend your legs as far as you do with shoes. It should feel almost like you're running in place.
• Keep upright and balanced. Keep your feet under your hips and shoulders.
• Stay light. You should feel like you're light on your feet, not pounding at all. Barefoot runners tend to be a little more springy in their step.
• Run quietly. If you are making a lot of noise with your steps (as shoe-wearing runners do), you're pounding too hard. Try to run softly, quietly, like an animal.