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Lost Art of Running, The: A Journey to Rediscover the Forgotten Essence of Human Movement
The Lost Art of Running is an opportunity to join running technique analyst coach and movement guru Shane Benzie on his journey across five continents as he trains with and analyses the running style of some of the most gifted athletes on the planet.
'Excellent' Trail Running magazine
'Shane is the Indiana Jones of the running world' Damian Hall, ultra marathon runner
'Running technique has to be one of the most subjective issues out there: 10 minutes' investigation on the internet will generally confuse rather than confirm what you should or should not be doing. Mother Nature gave us some amazing gifts as runners – if we rediscover them and use them, we can transform our dynamic and everyday movement.' Shane Benzie
Part narrative, part practical, this adventure takes you to the foothills of Ethiopia and the 'town of runners'; to the training grounds of world record holding marathon runners in Kenya; racing across the Arctic Circle and the mountains of Europe, through the sweltering sands of the Sahara and the hostility of a winter traverse of the Pennine Way, to witness the incredible natural movement of runners in these environments.
Along the way, you will learn how to incorporate natural movement techniques into your own running and hear from some of the top athletes that Shane has coached over the years. Whether experienced or just tackling your first few miles, this ground-breaking book will help you discover the lost art of running.
'Excellent' Trail Running magazine
'Shane is the Indiana Jones of the running world' Damian Hall, ultra marathon runner
'Running technique has to be one of the most subjective issues out there: 10 minutes' investigation on the internet will generally confuse rather than confirm what you should or should not be doing. Mother Nature gave us some amazing gifts as runners – if we rediscover them and use them, we can transform our dynamic and everyday movement.' Shane Benzie
Part narrative, part practical, this adventure takes you to the foothills of Ethiopia and the 'town of runners'; to the training grounds of world record holding marathon runners in Kenya; racing across the Arctic Circle and the mountains of Europe, through the sweltering sands of the Sahara and the hostility of a winter traverse of the Pennine Way, to witness the incredible natural movement of runners in these environments.
Along the way, you will learn how to incorporate natural movement techniques into your own running and hear from some of the top athletes that Shane has coached over the years. Whether experienced or just tackling your first few miles, this ground-breaking book will help you discover the lost art of running.
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 20, 2020
429 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
August 25, 2020
Really helpful form cues in the latter part of the book that certainly made it worth a read. Overall though I wasn't convinced by the scientific basis of the authors observations.
Shane Benzie has undoubtedly had success with many athletes however I had the feeling that the anecdotes were cherry picked and wanted more hard science backing up the individual data points. 'Fascia' is frustratingly used as a magic cure all to any running problem without any in depth exploration of the elastic/tensile basis of the tendons and connective tissue involved. As a framework to understand the body it works well, as to the actual scientific legitimacy I'm not convinced.
As a 'travelogue' it doesn't really work as there is scant description, often just a couple of paragraphs, of the many exotic and exciting places the author visits, unfortunately instead of enriching the book as they should they just become meaningless window dressing.
Despite these criticisms I would still recommend it, the actual running cues given make sense and I shall be using them to improve my running, which was my main reason for purchasing this book in the first place.
Shane Benzie has undoubtedly had success with many athletes however I had the feeling that the anecdotes were cherry picked and wanted more hard science backing up the individual data points. 'Fascia' is frustratingly used as a magic cure all to any running problem without any in depth exploration of the elastic/tensile basis of the tendons and connective tissue involved. As a framework to understand the body it works well, as to the actual scientific legitimacy I'm not convinced.
As a 'travelogue' it doesn't really work as there is scant description, often just a couple of paragraphs, of the many exotic and exciting places the author visits, unfortunately instead of enriching the book as they should they just become meaningless window dressing.
Despite these criticisms I would still recommend it, the actual running cues given make sense and I shall be using them to improve my running, which was my main reason for purchasing this book in the first place.
April 13, 2021
I knew from the first paragraph of the Foreward that I was in trouble. The author is described as "bouncing around" holding an "elastic wooden toy" at a running event in Berkshire. I thought about how someone would have to come across in real life in order to receive that sort of description by their mentor who writes the foreward of their book. Benzie comes across as high-energy, enthusiastic, and scattered-brained -- which is how this book reads.
Two-thirds of The Lost Art of Running is a travel log of Benzie's many travels all over the globe, though you get none of the descriptive, immersive writing of real travel writing. The last third of the book is broken into the main components of running (stride, cadence, etc) and explains Benzie's theory around fascia and elastic running. The theory is the most interesting part of the book, but it is poorly delivered -- lost in the disjointed travel sections and unsupported in the instructive section that lacks any actual instruction.
I almost gave this book two stars, but there were some interesting moments and I do think he's on to something with the fascia theory. I will spare you the time reading this book and provide the best takeaways:
1. Run upright, head up, use your arms, don't heel strike.
2. The fascia system of your body is the elastic that helps you run gracefully and more efficiently.
3. Video tape yourself running to see your form.
4. Put Bekoji, Ethiopia and Iten, Kenya on your travel list if you want to visit where the best runners in the world train and live.
Two-thirds of The Lost Art of Running is a travel log of Benzie's many travels all over the globe, though you get none of the descriptive, immersive writing of real travel writing. The last third of the book is broken into the main components of running (stride, cadence, etc) and explains Benzie's theory around fascia and elastic running. The theory is the most interesting part of the book, but it is poorly delivered -- lost in the disjointed travel sections and unsupported in the instructive section that lacks any actual instruction.
I almost gave this book two stars, but there were some interesting moments and I do think he's on to something with the fascia theory. I will spare you the time reading this book and provide the best takeaways:
1. Run upright, head up, use your arms, don't heel strike.
2. The fascia system of your body is the elastic that helps you run gracefully and more efficiently.
3. Video tape yourself running to see your form.
4. Put Bekoji, Ethiopia and Iten, Kenya on your travel list if you want to visit where the best runners in the world train and live.
January 13, 2021
This book is about the author's theory without any scientific basis, eg control group, about running/training. It's full of stories about his athletes and race reports from his athletes which have very little to do with the theory. I looked up his firth athlete, his performance (eg timing for the same race), did not even get any faster (actually slightly slower).
This book started promising about the author's theory about utilising the fascia system for elastic energy for easier running. However, I keep yearning for showing me more about it (the fascia). Instead the book talks about the author's journey or pursuits of various coaches and athletes and getting them to sign up with him or agreeing with him, at the same time sharing little info on the fascia.
The basis of the book or his theory is that we should utilising the fascia system, basically to run with more bounce and elasticity in our strides, run tall, run like the Kenyan, land in the tripod of the feet(midfoot). Our training should be focusing on forms, rather than efforts, eg less training time but more quality in terms of focusing on forms (not efforts such as pushing hard paces). He also advocates for videoing ourselves when we run.
This book should be reduced to just an article in a running magazine or website.
This book started promising about the author's theory about utilising the fascia system for elastic energy for easier running. However, I keep yearning for showing me more about it (the fascia). Instead the book talks about the author's journey or pursuits of various coaches and athletes and getting them to sign up with him or agreeing with him, at the same time sharing little info on the fascia.
The basis of the book or his theory is that we should utilising the fascia system, basically to run with more bounce and elasticity in our strides, run tall, run like the Kenyan, land in the tripod of the feet(midfoot). Our training should be focusing on forms, rather than efforts, eg less training time but more quality in terms of focusing on forms (not efforts such as pushing hard paces). He also advocates for videoing ourselves when we run.
This book should be reduced to just an article in a running magazine or website.
June 13, 2021
Here I was. I thought I was a runner. Now, I realize that I know next to nothing about it. That I have been doing nothing more than a glorified foot plod all along. Sigh. This is a depressing book.
Yet, it’s beautiful in telling us how movement matters. The principles that Shane Benzie gives are something that we can apply all our life: posture, rhythm, mindful movement etc. I loved the detailed way in which Benzie lays out these principles. Perhaps, the book faltered because it was a bit too high level. I simply don’t have a GPS watch nor do I have someone to record me run, and I am still a bit confused on how to “increase height.” Running has to become more intuitive, but for a logically irrational mind like mine, I realize that it’s precisely there that I falter. And it’s where the book falters too - in assuming that we all somehow know how to strut our chests and lift our pelvis and run gloriously on the basis of this. Give me some more low-level practical techniques, please.
Yet, it’s beautiful in telling us how movement matters. The principles that Shane Benzie gives are something that we can apply all our life: posture, rhythm, mindful movement etc. I loved the detailed way in which Benzie lays out these principles. Perhaps, the book faltered because it was a bit too high level. I simply don’t have a GPS watch nor do I have someone to record me run, and I am still a bit confused on how to “increase height.” Running has to become more intuitive, but for a logically irrational mind like mine, I realize that it’s precisely there that I falter. And it’s where the book falters too - in assuming that we all somehow know how to strut our chests and lift our pelvis and run gloriously on the basis of this. Give me some more low-level practical techniques, please.
October 27, 2023
"The Lost Art of Running" is a book about, well, running. Not your average grudging stumble or persevering putting one foot in front of the other; No, proud, bouncy, floating on air, pure joy running.
There's a ton of good in here for anyone interested in running more comfortably and faster. The form advice and running mechanics and technique information are fantastic. I'm not sold on the science-y bits or the author's explanatory model - even if his illustrative examples (elite runners) pass the eye test - and unfortunately I think it is, to some extent at least, a matter of trying it for yourself.
The storytelling and writing was pretty average at best. That, and my hesitancy surrounding the "science," has me torn between 3 and 4 stars. I'm going with 4 for the very simple reason that this book made me want to run. Not wanting to be done running, but actually run - and I hate the actual running part of running. In the end, I think that says quite a lot ...
Recommended!
There's a ton of good in here for anyone interested in running more comfortably and faster. The form advice and running mechanics and technique information are fantastic. I'm not sold on the science-y bits or the author's explanatory model - even if his illustrative examples (elite runners) pass the eye test - and unfortunately I think it is, to some extent at least, a matter of trying it for yourself.
The storytelling and writing was pretty average at best. That, and my hesitancy surrounding the "science," has me torn between 3 and 4 stars. I'm going with 4 for the very simple reason that this book made me want to run. Not wanting to be done running, but actually run - and I hate the actual running part of running. In the end, I think that says quite a lot ...
Recommended!
September 3, 2022
It is a good book that gives great pointers about running technique, form, what to do. But i felt there are too many repetitions, could have been more selective with examples and be to the point.
March 17, 2021
"(...) Watch someone who plays cricket, tennis, swims or dances – they will all display movements that join in with their natural lines of elasticity. All require training in movement in order to perform the required actions efficiently and effectively. In fact, runners are pretty much the only athletes who – as a general rule – don’t actually bother thinking about how they are moving or about putting their body into a position that optimises performance. Yet running is something that more of us do than any other sport on the planet. How can that be?
"I think it’s because we don’t think of running as a movement skill. We see it as a try hard skill. It’s an innate ability. All humans can do it. So we do it. We lace up our trainers, walk out of the front door and start into the actions of us running. We don’t have any real perception of how we are moving or whether it might be the most efficient or effective way. We just presume that if we work hard and put maximum effort in, then we will move forwards as well as we physically can. If we want to improve, we run further or harder. The rest is on autopilot. Running beautifully doesn’t really enter the equation."
What about those who do look for education on proper running form and practice? As the author puts it, "Running technique has to be one of the most subjective issues out there: 10 minutes of investigation on the internet will generally confuse rather than confirm what you should or should not be doing."
One does indeed find very conflicting information upon looking for running form and technique instructions online. Shane's method seems logical. He spent years analyzing the great runners – mostly Africans uninfluenced by out modern lifestyle and its posture pitfalls –, and exposes his conclusions in the second half of the book.
It is not easy to make these changes in practice by merely reading. Shane makes it clear that filming yourself is almost mandatory for finding faults and setting them straight, but even then, achieving all the technique goals the book sets for you is a bit awkward on your own.
After almost a year of trying to put some of the advice into practice (mostly stopping heel striking, and paying better attention to my posture), I did find that the occasional ankle or knee discomforts went away.
Great read nonetheless, and I'm glad to have found this book. I will continue referencing it and taking small steps to implement the changes it suggests.
May 1, 2023
Absolutely fascinating! Definitely worth the read if you are a runner or someone interested in getting better at running. While the author does not use hard science to back his data, the thing is that what he says does work but you have to experiment it on yourself and see if his tips help or not.
December 24, 2020
Einige gute Ansätze die ich künftig öfter in mein Training einbauen werden
October 25, 2020
The book tries to do it all – come up with its own theory, tell stories from all around the world and give practical tips to every runner. The thing is, it only succeeds in its first point – the fascia theory and its constant re-appearance throughout the book is definitely the most interesting part. However, the stories are repetitive, big in numbers but weak in the way they can catch the reader's attention and the final chapter with practical tips is more or less useless since all has been said before. This would be so much better if it was a 150-pages long practical guide concentrated on one theory than an attempt to do it all.
December 29, 2023
I have only been running for the last four months slowly building strength and stamina after two knee surgeries left running for more than a few seconds doubtful. Having clocked 300kms in the last three months l'm extactic to have proved the doctor wrong :-) This book has been the first running book l have read and while l have nothing to compare it with, it has been an insightful and very inspirational read.
December 19, 2021
Knygoje, remiantis įvairių atletų pavyzdžiais, kalbama apie esminius bėgimo ramsčius - judesį. Įdomi knyga, pateikianti prasmingų įžvalgų, bet kiek daugiau įsigilinusiems asmenims nepasakys kažko naujo.
February 18, 2022
“As far as I’m concerned, if you have truly lived - if you have truly connected with what you are and where you are in the world - it’s because you run.”
Such an interesting read. If you are looking for a book that explains the science and research behind running then this is great - if you just want the running tips, skip to Part 3!
Such an interesting read. If you are looking for a book that explains the science and research behind running then this is great - if you just want the running tips, skip to Part 3!
June 4, 2024
The last part of the book gives >80% of the practical value with the rest providing, usually anecdotal, interesting context. I would have preferred a more scientific treatment at times but that's perhaps unfair given the book is not called the lost science of running. Overall an enjoyable perspective and the commentary about how modern life impacts our health and natural movements was interesting / scary. 7/10
May 6, 2025
Potentially the best running book I’ve read so far. Primarily focuses on running technique, learnt so much that I didn’t know and that wasn’t in the previous running books. Would highly recommend
May 4, 2024
Premissen är att den moderna människans livsstil leder till ett suboptimalt, onaturligt löpsteg. Våra stillasittande och inaktiva liv har lett till att vi tappat vårt ursprungliga rörelsemönster.
Författaren beskriver sina resor till bl.a Etiopien, där han besökte de bästa långdistanslöparna i världen för att studera dem. Det han upptäckte var ett de har ett helt annat löpsteg än vad man vanligtvis ser i västvärlden. Författarens förklaring är att man i väst ser löpning ur ett mekanistiskt perspektiv, medan den "rätta" synen är ett holistiskt perspektiv. När man springer rätt har man ett naturligt flow, vilket kommer från att man utnyttjar sin naturliga elasticitet. Elasticiteten kommer ifrån att aktivera och använda sig av kroppens fascia.
I det stora hela en ganska intressant och givande bok, men hade kunnat kortas ner till ungefär hälften. Boken bestod till stor del av onödigt många exempel på platser och personer han träffat. Det jag tar med mig är detaljerna om hur ett bra löpsteg bör se ut.
Författaren beskriver sina resor till bl.a Etiopien, där han besökte de bästa långdistanslöparna i världen för att studera dem. Det han upptäckte var ett de har ett helt annat löpsteg än vad man vanligtvis ser i västvärlden. Författarens förklaring är att man i väst ser löpning ur ett mekanistiskt perspektiv, medan den "rätta" synen är ett holistiskt perspektiv. När man springer rätt har man ett naturligt flow, vilket kommer från att man utnyttjar sin naturliga elasticitet. Elasticiteten kommer ifrån att aktivera och använda sig av kroppens fascia.
I det stora hela en ganska intressant och givande bok, men hade kunnat kortas ner till ungefär hälften. Boken bestod till stor del av onödigt många exempel på platser och personer han träffat. Det jag tar med mig är detaljerna om hur ett bra löpsteg bör se ut.
February 19, 2021
Brillant book! Really enjoyed travelling around the world with the authors. Well written and easy to read. Suitable for anyone interested in running!
October 2, 2020
Ein fantastisches Buch, von dem ich persönlich noch richtig viel lernen konnte. Super inspirierend! Sehr gut geschrieben mit vielen "Eye-Openern". Eines der absolut besten Lauf-Bücher, die ich kenne.
September 5, 2022
The author creates a highly repetitive and incoherent theory of running form that relies on anecdotal stories with no robust logical or scientific support.
August 20, 2024
Must say very enlightening book the ideas, techniques and mechanics that the author shared it's very useful and helpful but it's to long there is a lot of fluff there it could have been much shorter like the 2nd part of the book can be merged with the 3rd !
Good things !:
The book tabs onto the elasticity of the body and the fascia system that surrounds the body and harvest the energy from the body impact on the ground , the foot placement (tripod landing) cadence between 160 and 180 stride length use a bicycle motion with vertical oscillation, arms lead with them and don't let them loose, shoulders back and in sockets, head upright and in the center as every ml you go forward upload the spine with 10 lb then mindset the importance of having a good awareness and being immersed in the run
That's the book in a nutshell and i love this part so many new information that I can take and apply for my benefits and my clients
The things that could be better:
A lot of stories that are repetitive, the over selling of the credibility.
Will I recommend the book ? Hell yeah please read it the ideas are amazing
Just my advice skip part 2 and go straight to part 3
3.5 out of 5
Good things !:
The book tabs onto the elasticity of the body and the fascia system that surrounds the body and harvest the energy from the body impact on the ground , the foot placement (tripod landing) cadence between 160 and 180 stride length use a bicycle motion with vertical oscillation, arms lead with them and don't let them loose, shoulders back and in sockets, head upright and in the center as every ml you go forward upload the spine with 10 lb then mindset the importance of having a good awareness and being immersed in the run
That's the book in a nutshell and i love this part so many new information that I can take and apply for my benefits and my clients
The things that could be better:
A lot of stories that are repetitive, the over selling of the credibility.
Will I recommend the book ? Hell yeah please read it the ideas are amazing
Just my advice skip part 2 and go straight to part 3
3.5 out of 5
December 30, 2021
Simple adjustments from mechanic, rough to more natural and flexible running techniques will bring different results and feelings. With a lot of experience and anecdotes in the field, Shane told us the stories of the runners in Kenya and Africa who ran smoothly and naturally, despite not having cutting egde facilities and tied practicing schedule, and how they helped improve his running friends performance. Interestingly, it is not only about running but also about the conflicts between the views of people: being mechanical with different parts connected or natural and fluids and the conflicts between a modern and ancient, close-to-nature life. But for me, simple enough, I find ways to improve my techniques and mentality which has helped me immerse into this healthy activity and enjoyed myself more.
May 9, 2025
While I view this book as a must-read for anyone who is at least somewhat interested in running, I'm not sure how much a non-enthusiast will enjoy it. The author masterfully organized the book into three distinct sections: his life experience that led to his findings, what those findings are, and a guide for how to incorporate them into your own running routine. It's a testament to the perseverance and dedication you're likely to find with anyone who's taken up running as their main athletic endeavor, and some of the stories about runnings that Shane Benzie worked with will leave you inspired. On a personal level, I've already started to try and implement Benzie's findings in my own running, and have already started to see positive results. I had a lot of fun with this book!
September 22, 2024
This book offered more comments on technique than ‘Born to Run’ did, but there were far too many poorly told anecdotes. I feel like the first 2/3 of the book was the author trying to convince me that he was Indiana Jones and that he wasn’t oddly obsessed with fascia. He achieved the opposite.
Running is so subjective that I don’t know how many of the tips I’ll take, but they surely have some value.
Running is so subjective that I don’t know how many of the tips I’ll take, but they surely have some value.
September 20, 2024
It encouraged me to improve my running form, and just run more. I always love an inspiring idea that makes me want to improve myself and gives me tools to do it. But extremely repetitive to a point it becomes almost unreadable. 3.5/5 because of that.
January 21, 2025
This book is so awesome + helped me improve as a runner & correct my form while marathon training. I think it helped me stay injury-free as well! Big takeaways: our perception of how we move matters + if we move/run as we were designed to as humans, it should become more effortless & efficient.
August 17, 2025
As others have mentioned he doesnt really give much evidence for his fascia hypothesis, but a interesting perspective, interesting stories and some good running tips. I’m glad he ended the book but dumping all the tips at once to allow for referencing in the future
June 9, 2023
I usually don’t like running books but I found this one actually quite interesting
January 21, 2024
Основното е синтезирано в последните стотина страници. Останалите 250 са бозава реклама с повтаряне и потретване на едни и същи неща.
November 5, 2024
An essential read for all runners!
December 14, 2024
Interesting and helpful but repetitive
Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews