Where are we running?

May 12, 2007 7:42 PM

Joggers decked out in short shorts and iPods running alongside the road are common, but have you ever seen someone running backward? Backward running has been growing in popularity for years in many countries across the world where competitive races vary in length from sprints to marathons. This very different form of exercise is reputed to have many health benefits, despite the very obvious dangers of not being able to see where one is going. Think you can beat the current world records for backward running? If so, then this is the person you're going to need to try and beat...
posted by Effigy2000 (11 comments total)

KO! Beer was I ere I saw Reebok.
posted by rob511 at 8:27 PM on May 12, 2007

There's definitely something similar in traditional Chinese medical thinking; you often see old fellas backwards-walking in the parks as part of their daily work-outs.
posted by Abiezer at 8:45 PM on May 12, 2007

Nice post! We used to do backward-running drills in Cross Country when I was in high school. If you can find a quiet, obstacle-free bit of running space, it's really, really fun.
posted by freshwater_pr0n at 9:28 PM on May 12, 2007

Backwards speed skating?
posted by acro at 9:39 PM on May 12, 2007

Spike Milligan thought of it first.
posted by emf at 9:45 PM on May 12, 2007

You kids today think you have it tough? Well, when I was your age, we ran backwards, and we liked it.
posted by cerebus19 at 10:00 PM on May 12, 2007

I heard the Yeti's feet are set on backwards to allow for easier climbing uphill. Also, to flummox those trying to track him...
posted by Tube at 10:17 PM on May 12, 2007

raab himself, running innovator: CKY3... youtube nsfw (Yes, even at this hour!)
posted by acro at 10:41 PM on May 12, 2007

DO NOT CLICK THE LAST LINK IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH. OR EATING.
posted by acro at 10:50 PM on May 12, 2007

I've jogged sections of the local trail (Washington & Old Dominion) backwards to help stretch after a longer run, and sometimes just for fun. It's a blast, but I'm always worried I'm going to fall off one side or trip over something.
posted by CipherSwarm at 11:12 PM on May 12, 2007

The burning shame of being different would negate any health benefits.
posted by stavrogin at 11:13 PM on May 12, 2007