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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> extropy-chat-bounces@lists.extropy.org [mailto:extropy-chat-bounces@lists.extropy.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Tom Nowell<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, January 15, 2012 3:35 PM<br><b>To:</b> extropy-chat@lists.extropy.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [ExI] Human running<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:#1F497D'>>…</span><span style='color:black'>Someone posted in the past couple of weeks wondering why humans didn't run on their toes rather than the gait we see today. Well, New Scientist last week had a tiny article in the news section,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:black'> <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527455.000-were-built-to-run-barefoot-on-our-tiptoes.html">http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527455.000-were-built-to-run-barefoot-on-our-tiptoes.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:#1F497D'>>…</span><span style='color:black'>Apparently more than two-thirds of people who grew up barefoot running run on their tips rather than heel first. So, humans are capable of both but depending on whether you run barefoot or use shoes makes a big difference in which style you're likely to choose.</span><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Tom, this misses something important. In order for toe running to be practical even for short distances requires a particular build that is common in Kenyan runners (the subject of the New Scientist article) but very rare in Americans. Kenyan runners tend to be wiry sorts, but westerners in general are much more heavy set. The reason I know about this is that I am a 3 sigma boney ass, as compared to normal westerners. I can do barefoot toe running if I have a forgiving surface like the rubberized tracks we see today, but very few runners can do that style, even young guys. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Toe running is harder on the feet, but easier on the knees. My feet, ankles and hips are in far better shape than my knees. Those poor knees have reeeeeaaallly taken a pounding from years of heel running.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>spike<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></body></html>