[pg314]

> That is bad for your knees.

[Citation needed]

I wouldn't recommend speeding up on the downhills for beginning runners. But if you're well conditioned, running slightly faster on the downhills in a relaxed way won't hurt your knees. It all depends on the slope of course. On very steep hills, it simply isn't be possible to run fast downhill.

> I highly recommend the book Born to Run by Cristopher McDougall.

It's an entertaining read, but that's about it. The science is to be taken with a large grain of salt. (I've run more than 50000 km since reading it.)

[infamousclyde]

Yeah, I've read Born to Run too. I think it's pretty naive to deduce that the modern shoe industry is responsible for joint/tendon issues. Frankly, more pros would be wearing minimalist footwear if it was the cure-all as written. To be clear, if the minimalist footwear trend works for someone, that's great for them. But if you played the game of "I spy" for minimalist footwear at any professional meet with distance runners... Good luck finding a pair.

[is_true]

I usually go trough a couple of running shoes a year and I think adjusting the insole correctly the first times you use it is key.

I try to place the insole in a way that avoids vibrations when hitting the surface and the ankle to work at a correct angle.