Scratch everything you’ve heard from me about barefoot running. I had it all wrong. I have just found infallible proof that – this is huge, folks – running backwards is better!

Running backwards has been something people have been doing for thousands of years. Monks in China reportedly practiced running backwards over long distances. More recently, a small but increasing number of people have been running “retro”. Based on what I’ve just come across, the number of backwards runners is going to go dramatically up.

Recent studies have shown that you can save more energy and run faster with less injuries if you run backwards. Yes, completely backwards, with your back facing the direction you want to go in. Before you toss this idea to the side like a seven-year old fruitcake, hear me out.

A growing body of scientific evidence from the fields of physiology, psychology, and podiatry explains why running backwards is better than forwards. I will lay the case out for you here. I have no doubt that you will be swayed upon reading the findings. I know, it’s almost too hard to believe, but hang in there.

Firstly, let me explain the physiological benefits of running backwards. As you may not be aware, research has shown that our legs are able to provide 3 times the amount of spring when jumping backwards rather than forwards.

Scientists at the University of Cardiff got the idea to test backwards jumping when they found ancient cave drawings in Egypt depicting grown men in what must have been a jumping contest, jumping backwards. After testing this theory on mice, weasels, and then chimpanzees, a study was conducted in 2008 with college athletes from three British Universities.

The results, to be published in the upcoming Winter issue of the Journal of Natural Physiology of the Human Species, explains the startling findings. With more spring, running backwards the scientists explain would result in longer strides, more efficient use of energy, and faster speeds.

It’s actually not that surprising of a finding, when you realize men and women have been jumping backwards in the high jump for years now. It’s surely just a matter of time before sprinters and marathoners turn around and face the facts.

Meanwhile, scientists in Australia are keen on using these findings with kangaroos across their country to see if the 54 meter jumping record currently held by Ten-Foot Timmy can be broken. The world awaits the outcome.

Secondly, there are psychological benefits to running backwards. When we run forwards, we are forced to focus on where we are going. This visual fixation on the future robs us of the benefits of being in the present. Without the distraction of where we are going in front of us, we can enter a Zen-like state. This results in a much more relaxed posture and sharper mind.

Running backwards also enables us to learn from our recent past from time to time. If we run backwards, we are clearly able to see what we just did. We can observe our stride. We are able to take note of our footprints, analyzing them in the moment and making real-time stride adjustments.

Thirdly, running backwards is much better from a podiatric perspective. When running backwards, we are much more likely to land with our forefoot first. While landing on the forefoot does not conflict with the proclaimed benefits of barefoot running, it turns out that our feet do so better when moving backwards.

When we swing our legs and feet backwards, our toes are already pointing down, below our center of gravity. If you have tried running forwards and landing on your forefeet, you have no doubt found it to be rather difficult at first. This is because it’s not natural for us to do so. When running forward.

When running forward, our heels are more inclined to kick out. Podiatrists explain that the achilles heel is to blame for this. However, when we run backwards, we can turn this disadvantage into an advantage. We naturally land on our forefoot beneath our body when swinging our leg backwards. It’s actually difficult to over-stride when you go backwards. Go ahead, try it for yourself. You’ll be amazed at how natural the forefoot strike becomes when your foot is swung backwards.

Our bodies are simply designed to run backwards. And everyone benefits! In addition to being physiologically, psychologically, and podiatrically better for ourselves, it’s also better for the planet and the economy. So what are you waiting for?

I’ll see you on the trails. Well, after I pass you, that is.

Author’s Note: I’m terribly sorry about misleading you with the whole barefoot running thing. It would appear that I was so focused on barefoot running that I didn’t stop to realize that I had assumed running forward was better! That will serve me for not questioning the fundamentals of running. I am just glad I can share this recent scientific breakthrough with you so you can also benefit from the wonders of running backwards.

UPDATE

Due to mounting lawsuits, strained relationships, and even death threats I am forced to admit that this post wasn’t entirely true.

The thing is, I suddenly realized that if I continue to promote the benefits of running barefoot or at least in minimal shoes, I am spreading the benefits of barefoot running to many! And since one of my goals is to run ultra races and not come in last, sharing my learnings on how to run better runs directly counter to this goal! The better the running field gets, the less of a chance I have of placing anywhere in the middle of the pack! How could I have made such a mistake?

I guess you weren’t going to buy the whole running backwards thing any way. Right?