As a recreational golfer, it was with great anticipation that I received Dr. Phil Maffetone’s new book in the mail. In a departure of Phil’s previous titles, this one was centered on golf. Phil’s work has significantly influenced my life, running, teaching on health, and practice of medicine. I was eager to see what he…
Category: Dr. Mark’s Desk
From the desk of Dr. Mark Cucuzzella…
“Posing” the Question of Proper Running Form: Natural Running vs. Pose Method
Natural running is not some ideal, archetypal running form; it’s what happens when you let your own body figure out what works best for you when you minimize interference between the foot and the ground. It’s what happens when you let your own muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones do all or most of the work….
What I Have Learned From Barefoot and Minimalist Running
In June 2013, the second Barefoot Connections conference was held in England, and most fittingly, it met inside the prestigious Natural History Museum which is located just outside London. Several leading practitioners and thought leaders in natural lifestyle and barefoot activity (walking and running) gave talks there. Family commitments kept me from making the trip…
Comrades “Marathon”: What Goes Up…Goes Up
Why would I travel half way around the world to run The Comrades “Marathon” in South Africa? Not sure. Anyone who has ever run this race, which is the oldest and largest ultra run in the world, talks about it with a reverence and describe the amazing emotional and cultural experience. This run has brought…
Race Report:Harpers Ferry Half Marathon
It is always a challenge being a director of a race. You are always faced with things you did not anticipate. Twelve hours before the event here in West Virginia, we were hit with a thunderstorm of massive proportions. Most of the course markings of the run which was 40% trail were gone. Water from…
Book Excerpt from “FARMACOLOGY”
Please enjoy this excerpt from a new book called “FARMACOLOGY:What Innovative Family Farming Can Teach Us About Health and Healing,” from my colleague Dr. Daphne Miller. Dr. Miller is a fellow Family Physician and we met a little over a year ago at an event promoting Nature Prescriptions. Dr. Miller is one of the nation’s…
Dr. Mark’s “The Principles of Natural Running”
For the past 12 years, I have dissected and modified hundreds of pairs of shoes, taught running form clinics around the country, opened a minimalist store in my home town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, directed races (from 5K fun runs to marathons), got local children excited about running, and most importantly listened with all my…
Harpers Ferry Race and Live Music
This Saturday on May 11, there’s the Harpers Ferry Half Marathon, 4 Mile, Kids Run (www.harpersferryhalf.org); the 4 Mile is free for kids under 18! Join me on my favorite lunch-break routes at my job at Harpers Ferry Family Medicine. The race course in West Virginia is truly an event of historic proportions. Every time…
Boston Strong…and Running
April 15 was the 117th running of the Boston Marathon, the oldest and most prestigious footrace in the world. I have had the privilege of running 20 of them. The amazing camaraderie amongst the runners, spectators, volunteers, and the City of Boston draws me and my family back every year. This race has a special…
Reflections on Boston
The Sunday before the Boston Marathon, Dr. Walter Bortz of Stanford gave a lecture that received a standing ovation (I do not think I have witnessed a lecture receive a standing ovation). Most of it was about the failings of our current healthcare mode of treatment focus and how each individual can achieve healthier lives. Dr….
Upcoming Courses and Clinics on Running
NRC readers, If you are near a military base several of our military courses are open to the public. • Oct 5-6 School of Running CME Boulder http://www.active.com/running-conference/boulder-co/newton-running-cme-and-coach-level-2-oct-5-6-2013
How to Run the Boston Marathon 2013
I’ve had the pleasure of running the Boston Marathon 19 times with a string now of 11 consecutive. My only misses since 1989 were for military duties and a foot surgery. In all these efforts, I had 5 under 2:30, 6 between 2:30 and 2:35; 3 between 2:35 and 2:40; 3 between 2:40-2:44; a 2:46…
Avoid Injury: Make Slow Transition to Barefoot-style Running Shoes
Barefoot running is back in the news. Or rather barefoot-style running shoes. It’s the kind of “news story” that has “legs”. Yet the media angle is often misleading. I will quote from the first sentence of the story that appeared on the International Business Times website earlier this week: “A recent study seems to indicate…
Having a Good Time in New Orleans
I was recently in New Orleans and had a blast. It was a privilege to be part of a fun and inspiring running event that is the Rock and Roll. Jenni Peters and Ryan Green of Varsity Sports (an NRC Partner store) and Newton Running supported my trip and a number of talks. The highlight…
Beware of Footstrike Studies Focusing on Only One Variable
A recent study of less than 40 East African tribesman showed that most land on their heels while running at a slow pace on a compliant surface (not pavement) and when they sped up most changed their pattern to midfoot landing. Some in the media then grabbed onto this small sample and somehow arrived at…
The Transition Shoe for Minimalist and Natural Runners
As we enter or transition into the first weeks of the new year, it often means aligning our personal goals with training and racing in the coming months. So now is also a good time to summarize some of the basics about transitioning to minimalism, especially for those new to natural running and who what…
Simple Food Rules for Runners
My wife’s grandmother lived to 103, and the holidays just past have reminded me of how she lived. She was not a runner, nor did she do a lot of cardio, except for sauce stirring and daily walks to markets and church. Our own local legend Frank Buckles who lived to 110 ate in this…
The Running Event in Austin: Minimalism is Still Hot!
Huge Congrats to two Natural Running Center’s Partner Stores –Natural Strides Running and Elite Feet –who were selected as one of “The 50 Best Running Stores in America” at The Running Event in Austin, Texas– which is a fast-growing expo and meeting-and-teaching ground for running store owners and their employees. Best of all, it’s where…
Going the Distance When Kids Run “Free”
Though it’s been several weeks since Freedom’s Run was held here in West Virginia, I am still receiving emails and from visitors thanking our neighboring towns for the friendly welcome they received as runners. We would not have been able to pull off this event — marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, one-mile kids run — without…
Wee Warrior Dash
After organizing Freedom’s Run which is a massive logistical task of 2 states, 4 National Parks, and 3 historic towns, a small local race just for the little ones, and along with great help within our County Park, was a welcome relief. Our small team of adult warriors from Two River Treads put on the…
New Dr. Mark Video: “Going for a Run”
One of life’s simplest pleasures is going for a run outside. The late Dr. George Sheehan summed it up best: “Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be.” So once in a while let’s forget about footwear, performance standards, and high-tech gadgetry — and instead simply let your…
Getting in Marathon Race Shape
It’s a dilemma and challenge for many marathon runners. You have two important races that are only six weeks apart, and you want to perform well in both. Several weeks ago, I placed tenth overall in the Air Force Marathon. But come next weekend, I will be racing in the Marine Corps Marathon along with…
Vivobarefoot Kids Shoe Giveaway
Last weekend was my favorite event of the year at our small natural running and walking shoe store in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Two Rivers Treads had its third annual Vivobarefoot kids shoe giveaway. We personally matched a contribution from Vivobarefoot and gave out close to 200 pairs of free shoes to local children. Yes,…
Flying High At 46!
I want to share with you the amazing story of Colonel Mike Wasson. Mike is a good friend and long-time United States Air Force teammate. We are the same age (46) and have shared similar experiences in our running and busy professional careers — trying to balance family, work, health, and running. Mike shares the…
Father, Son and Freedom’s Run Half-Marathon
The other day I received the most delightful and endearing email from a proud father and his even prouder son who will be running in the Freedom’s Run Half-Marathon for the second time. I’d like to share it with Natural Running Center readers. (This year’s race is on October 13, and also features a full…