Helen Ries is the Clinic Owner and a Physiotherapist at Sitka Physio and Wellness who specializes in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy and Running Assessments.

Form, Footwear and the Quest for Injury-Free Running

By Peter Larson, Bill Katovsky | Skyhorse Publishing, 258 pages

In Tread Lightly, Peter Larson and Bill Katovsky discuss the impact of form, footwear and food on running.

They detail the human evolutionary background, provide an in-depth account on the history of footwear and describe current beliefs and research relating to foot function, running form and how to fuel a healthy body.

While Larson and Katovsky tend towards the more minimal approach to running, they are thorough in acknowledging that there is no one correct approach.

 

“The wisest and most prudent course of action is to experiment individually, but avoid change for change’s sake. . . [Change] should be conducted carefully and gradually,” they write. Instead of a prescriptive formula for better running, the reader will find a wealth of information that can be tailored to individual needs.

However, the authors emphasize, that when in doubt, it is important to seek assistance from an expert in the field who is also a runner.

It is written in an accessible style, but has sufficient depth to appeal to both beginner and experienced runners.

This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to improve his or her running efficiency and performance, while minimizing injury