Running. Writing. Wondering.

Book Review

Foot Notes??: How Running Makes us Human????

Vybarr Cregan-Reid?

Previously published Trail Runner Magazine Australia.

“Places are more than a backdrop for our experience of them”?

??????? I’m running with my friend Dan on his home trails (Bunyip State Park). This is my first time exploring this area.???

????? For some context, Dan has a background in environmental science and horticulture and is a wizard at vegetation genus and species name dropping on the run.? I’ll admit I only learned the definition of a weed after meeting him but our friendship has yet to help me distinguish these from native plants.??

????? But I digress…It’s mid summer and a high pressure system is dominating this particular morning.? Dan predicts that on the bend after the next descent we will be greeted by the strong but not unpleasant scent of peppermint.? Indeed we are! The warmth and humidity combine to create the perfect conditions for the broadleaf peppermint ( Eucalyptus Dives) to live up to its name.?? I’m rather impressed.? This is one of many memorable runs for a myriad of reasons but not least for its further broadening of what is already a multi-sensory experience for me.? The sights, sounds, bodily sensations and now smells of my beloved trail-running.?

?? If Vybarr Cregan-Reid and Dan were legumes they would certainly share the same Pisum Sativum. Yes I had to Dr Google ‘pea pod’?

??????? In Footnotes the author likewise describes encounters of running, nature and sensory feedback:?

“The acidity of sun-baked cow shit pinches my nose. The smell is part of sensory trigger which brings to mind the wild flowers I expect to see..”??

“There will be dock, cannon sorrel, silverweed and ground elder, always gathered in a gang, swaying in the breeze-and the custard-yellow petals of ( p44) with their heady almond scent..”??

??????? Footnotes explores the notion of the “earthing” movement and the urgent need to retreat to natural settings.?? ART “attention-restoration theory “ is the idea that we function better when exposed to natural environments and science is increasingly supporting the physical, mental and socio-ecological benefits.?? In an increasingly extrinsically motivated world, trail runners intuitively get this.?

?? This is one of many dimensions of running portrayed in the book. The author is a runner and senior lecturer in English Literature and in essence he is seeking to answer the question “Why do you run?”?

???????? This is a common theme in running literature.? Haki Murakami articulates it beautifully in What I Talk About When I Talk About Running and The Oatmeal’s comic depiction in “The terrible and wonderful reasons why I run long distances” resonates with many of us.?

????? Undoubtedly we have been asked this at some point in our running careers. Usually by incredulous/suspicious non-running friends, family or colleagues.? Perhaps, like our author, the context has been “but what are you running from?”??

?? He suggests that most of us have a glib, semi-rehearsed answer to this, often accusatory, question.? Likely, he continues, this doesn’t even begin to scratch at the surface of the layers of complexity and multiple facets of our running rationale.??

?????? In Footnotes Vybarr takes us on an eloquent journey as he seeks to explore his and our why of running.??

?????????? His book has a little something to satisfy everyone as he delves into the art, science, philosophy and literature of our beloved pursuit.?

???????? The author explores the bare foot running movement as he tries to address his own biomechanical inadequacies and injury woes. His enquires take him to consult Professor Irene Davis,of Born to Run fame, and a world expert in Human Biomechanics at Spaulding National Running Center Boston??

???? My sports podiatrist and elite duathlete friend Caleb received many excerpts from this chapter.? Caleb runs Feet Alive workshops in Melbourne and I knew he would appreciate the dedicated content on the “unbelievably complex and knowledgeable organs” that are his life’s work.? The material is interesting, relevant and pleasingly has a measured, evidence-based interpretation:?

?“barefoot running isn’t going to solve all of your problems but wearing shoes won’t either “??

??????? For my writer-runner friend Nicole the book takes us on a whimsical journey through the eyes and worlds of classical writers and poets including Hardy, Hemingway and Keats.??

??? The doctor and yoga teacher in me was drawn to the section on neuroplasticity,? ‘your brain on running’ and our increasing understanding of the mind-body connection.?

???????? The history of the running shoe, the treadmill and the pursuit itself are explored as Vybarr widens his search for meaning in motion.???

?“Runners know in their hearts that when thoughts move, we think them differently “??

??????? This is a book for the Dans, Calebs, Nicoles and indeed every runner or even non-runner who is curious. Whilst the details of our personal running landscape may vary, at grass roots level they share intrinsic commonalities:? community, connection and space through motion.??

??? The author concludes that although he doesn’t have a succinct answer he knows running “gives so much more that it takes...” and ultimately “it is something I cannot wear or download or even write”?

??? As for me, I wonder if I need an answer? Running without reason, but perhaps with purpose…?

“Don’t ask me why I run, ask yourself why you don’t?”??

“If you want to change your body exercise; if you want to change your life become a runner”??