Humans have evolved as persistence hunting runners and cooperative animals. This is why we are now the most evolved species on Earth. And this is why the key to our happy and sustainable future on Earth depends on how we use persistence, cooperation, gentleness, and, of course, running.

Gentle Running and Living

by Dr Patrick Salmon, PharmD, PhD

Member of the Barefoot Runners Society

Founding Member of the Tarahumara Spirit   

Be gentle

to yourself

and others!

“Life is hard enough to add extra suffering to it”. We propose here a way to build a stronger, healthier and happier self through gentle running. Then, this “ascetic hedonism” can be translated into several aspects of life, to humbly contribute to a better world.

The key to change your reward system. Gentleness!

In these gentle guides, I propose training plans to use running as part of a gentle, happy and healthy way of life, as well as preparations for “races” such as Marathons, Triathlons or Ultras.

If you follow these guides, your new reward system will be based on humble and patient construction of yourself, together with essential pleasures in life such as eating, drinking and sharing and having fun with friends.

In this site, you will find keys to an “ascetic hedonism” (pleasure through discipline and effort) based on gentle living and exercising.

Without suffering, you will build a stronger, healthier and happier self.

The guides I provide in this website are meant for people who are NOT good at sports (my case since childhood), who are injured (my case also) and who could never win when competing with the majority of other runners (also my case). These guides are meant to get stronger and to be the happiest person when finishing a race, even last.

However, if “Beaux Gosses” apply these recipes, they will certainly improve, too.

The keys are gentleness, persistence, patience and humility.

And then, the events shown in the slideshow on the right will trigger the same type of reward and pleasure in your body and brain. Eating, running and sharing will become very special and privileged moments in your life.

I guarantee it!

The Gentle Running Guides

Non Runner to Runner

You do not run, and/or you do not see the point of running, and/or you believe that you are not fit for running.

Shod Runner to Barefoot Runner

To cleanse your running style of “interfering” bad moves, or to simply feel the Earth without “condoms”… in other words to combine efficiency, pleasure and natural feelings.

Occasional to regular Runner

You run occasionally and you want to make running a key component of a new healthy lifestyle.

Wumper/Thumper to Runner

You run regularly, but in fact you wump. You have run or want to run Half-Marathons or Marathons and you would like to do it gently. You had injuries due to running and/or you do not want to end up one day with hip replacement, knee meniscus surgery or vertebral disk collapse. Or you simply want to go faster.

Runner to Marathoner

You are a regular natural runner and you want a no-brainer program to finish this mythical distance with a big smile, plenty of good memories and no muscle soreness.

Runner to Ultrarunner

You are a regular runner and you have noticed a pinch of frustration when you cross finish lines. Ending too soon in the middle of the fun? You think that maybe, the pleasure of running is not all about finishing, but in fact in running itself, mixed with eating, drinking and sharing with friends as well as strangers. You want to train to run for long distances (multiples of Marathons especially in the mountains) without pain, just long-lasting pleasure and fun.

My Shoe Closet

A short guide to choose the best shoes for natural running or to transition into natural running