--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A runner needs not just to be skinny but…" description: "\"A runner needs not just to be skinny but - more specifically - to have skinny calves and ankles, because every extra pound carried on your extremities ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e5/malcolm-gladwell-348_ankles_a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but_2659110.png" --- # A runner needs not just to be skinny but - more… ![“A runner needs not just to be skinny but - more specifically - to have skinny calves and ankles, because every extra pound carried on your extremities costs more than a pound carried on your torso. That's why shaving even a few ounces off a pair of running shoes can have a significant effect.” quote by Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e5/malcolm-gladwell-348_ankles_a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but_2659110.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e5/malcolm-gladwell-348_ankles_a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but_2659110.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e5/malcolm-gladwell-348_ankles_a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but_2659110.png) > “A runner needs not just to be skinny but - more specifically - to have skinny calves and ankles, because every extra pound carried on your extremities costs more than a pound carried on your torso. That's why shaving even a few ounces off a pair of running shoes can have a significant effect.” [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Extra weight on limbs hinders running efficiency more than torso weight, so minimizing shoe and calf mass improves performance. **In simple terms:** Lighter limbs and shoes boost running efficiency. Key Takeaway Reduce weight on extremities. Themes fitness running efficiency Mood focused analytical Type advice instructional When to use this quote - training - shoe selection - weight loss - performance optimization Key Concepts biomechanics weight distribution Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance weight reduction with strength? - What gear changes yield biggest gains? A Different Perspective Neglecting overall conditioning may limit gains. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ankles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ankles/) [Ankles Extra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ankles-extra-2412190/) [Because](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/because/) [Calves Ankles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calves-ankles-2412189/) [Carried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carried/) [Costs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/costs/) [Effect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effect/) [Even](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/even/) [Every](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every/) [Extra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extra/) [Few](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/few/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Off](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/off/) [Pair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pair/) [Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pound/) [Runner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/runner/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Running shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-shoes/) [Shaving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shaving/) [Shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoes/) [Significant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/significant/) [Skinny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skinny/) [Skinny Calves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skinny-calves-2412188/) [Specifically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/specifically/) [Than](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/than/) [Why](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/why/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [A handicap is like trying to race and you have a ten pound weight stuck to your waist. That is a handicap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/a-handicap-is-like-trying-to-race-and-you-have-a-ten-pound-weight/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“What did you do?" said Charles. "You know that night all our shoes went into the hall," said Nirupam. "Well, we had a feast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-wynne-jones/what-did-you-do-said-charles-you-know-that-night-all-our-shoes-went/) [Diana Wynne Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-wynne-jones/) > [The real competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/the-real-competition-is-against-the-little-voice-inside-you-that/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [“Some guys are the type of people who bring brass knuckles to a fight. I've always thought it prudent to bring some running shoes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/some-guys-are-the-type-of-people-who-bring-brass-knuckles-to-a-fight/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“You’re allowed to vegetate in front of the TV, but first you need to put your running shoes on and walk outside — you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-marshall/you-re-allowed-to-vegetate-in-front-of-the-tv-but-first-you-need-to/) [Sebastian Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-marshall/) > [When I started running in 1951, running shoes weren't even produced in India.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milkha-singh/when-i-started-running-in-1951-running-shoes-weren-t-even-produced-in/) [Milkha Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milkha-singh/) > [“thundering, fulminating sound that penetrated my body as though it were coming from within me. I remember the sound. I remember the blinding flash.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izzeldin-abuelaish/thundering-fulminating-sound-that-penetrated-my-body-as-though-it/) [Izzeldin Abuelaish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izzeldin-abuelaish/) > [Every day you've got running shoes on, it's a good day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-astin/every-day-you-ve-got-running-shoes-on-it-s-a-good-day/) [Sean Astin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-astin/) > [“I'm about to wake Brianna up to see if she knows anything when Carolyn comes in. Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-verdi/i-m-about-to-wake-brianna-up-to-see-if-she-knows-anything-when/) [Jessica Verdi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-verdi/) > [I'd always vaguely expected to outgrow my limitations. One day, I'd stop twisting my hair, and wearing running shoes all the time, and eating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/i-d-always-vaguely-expected-to-outgrow-my-limitations-one-day-i-d/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [My schedule goes: wake up, running, exercise, downstairs, running shoes off, then to the shower. That's the Jackie Chan diary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/my-schedule-goes-wake-up-running-exercise-downstairs-running-shoes/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [... the running shoe ... could be called the Swiss Army knife of footwear ... What appeal is there to a shoe whose only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mimi-pond/the-running-shoe-could-be-called-the-swiss-army-knife-of-footwear/) [Mimi Pond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mimi-pond/) > [The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-de-coubertin/the-essential-thing-is-not-to-have-conquered-but-to-have-fought-well/) [Pierre de Coubertin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-de-coubertin/) > [“Death Valley is the perfect flesh-grilling device, the Foreman Grill in Mother Nature’s cupboard. It’s a big, shimmering sea of salt ringed by mountains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-mcdougall/death-valley-is-the-perfect-flesh-grilling-device-the-foreman-grill/) [Christopher McDougall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-mcdougall/) > [“Presents? Cake? I could use a new bat, maybe some good work boots or running shoes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-hamill/presents-cake-i-could-use-a-new-bat-maybe-some-good-work-boots-or/) [Patricia Hamill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-hamill/) ## More by Malcolm Gladwell > [When I go to my health club, and it's in the basement, you have to take the elevator down. And this drives me crazy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/when-i-go-to-my-health-club-and-it-s-in-the-basement-you-have-to-take/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point-is-that-magic-moment-when-an-idea-trend-or-social/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“The scholars who research happiness suggest that more money stops making people happier at a family income of around seventy-five thousand dollars a year.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-scholars-who-research-happiness-suggest-that-more-money-stops/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [We need to be clear when we venerate entrepreneurs what we are venerating.They are not moral leaders. If they were moral leaders, they wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/we-need-to-be-clear-when-we-venerate-entrepreneurs-what-we-are/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“Some people look like they sound better than they actually sound, because they look confident and have good posture," once musician, a veteran of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/some-people-look-like-they-sound-better-than-they-actually-sound/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [A handicap is like trying to race and you have a ten pound weight stuck to your waist. That is a handicap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/a-handicap-is-like-trying-to-race-and-you-have-a-ten-pound-weight/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“neighborhood was filled with engineers from Hewlett-Packard, then as now one of”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/neighborhood-was-filled-with-engineers-from-hewlett-packard-then-as/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“People are ruined by challenged economic lives. But they are ruined by wealth as well because they lose their ambition and they lose their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/people-are-ruined-by-challenged-economic-lives-but-they-are-ruined-by/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [The single most important thing a city can do is provide a community where interesting, smart people want to live with their families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-single-most-important-thing-a-city-can-do-is-provide-a-community/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [ \[Norden\] said, with the Mark 15 Norden bombsight, he could drop a bomb into a pickle barrel at 20,000 feet. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/norden-said-with-the-mark-15-norden-bombsight-he-could-drop-a-bomb/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [The willingness to be self-critical in England is much greater than the willingness to be self-critical in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-willingness-to-be-self-critical-in-england-is-much-greater-than/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [The conventional explanation for Jewish success, of course, is that Jews come from a literate, intellectual culture. They are famously "the people of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-conventional-explanation-for-jewish-success-of-course-is-that/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“An archway to one side leads to a church, the Madonna del Carmine—Our Lady of Mount Carmine. Narrow”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/an-archway-to-one-side-leads-to-a-church-the-madonna-del-carmine-our/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [People are experience-rich and theory-poor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/people-are-experience-rich-and-theory-poor/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [“Most psychologists believe that nature—genetics—accounts for about half of the reason why we tend to act the way we do. His point is simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/most-psychologists-believe-that-nature-genetics-accounts-for-about/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) [Explore all 647 Malcolm Gladwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) ## More Ankles quotes > [If life were like a competitive race, some people would be given a flying start and others would line up with weights tied to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-grothe/if-life-were-like-a-competitive-race-some-people-would-be-given-a/) [Mardy Grothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-grothe/) > [The sugar maple is remarkable for its clean ankle. The groves of these trees looked like vast forest sheds, their branches stoppingshort at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-sugar-maple-is-remarkable-for-its-clean-ankle-the-groves-of-these/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm pretty cautious and not very athletic, so I've only had really dumb injuries, like sprained ankles and allergic reactions. I did have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-m-pretty-cautious-and-not-very-athletic-so-i-ve-only-had-really/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [I've broken all my fingers, I've broken my hand, ribs, ankles... everything, I've broken everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sky-blu/i-ve-broken-all-my-fingers-i-ve-broken-my-hand-ribs-ankles-everything/) [Sky Blu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sky-blu/) > [Never walk near the bed; to a ghost your ankle is your most vulnerable part-once in bed, you're safe; he may lie around under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/never-walk-near-the-bed-to-a-ghost-your-ankle-is-your-most-vulnerable/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [You may feel a tugging sensation near your ankles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/you-may-feel-a-tugging-sensation-near-your-ankles/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [Rock stars are like sports stars: If you snap your ankle, you're done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/rock-stars-are-like-sports-stars-if-you-snap-your-ankle-you-re-done/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [A tall blonde entered the room, wearing a yellow sash that marked her as advocate. Two men followed her, carrying papers. She was lean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/a-tall-blonde-entered-the-room-wearing-a-yellow-sash-that-marked-her/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [We're told cars cause pollution. A hundred years ago city streets were ankle deep in horse excrement. What kind of pollution do you want?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/we-re-told-cars-cause-pollution-a-hundred-years-ago-city-streets-were/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [In the past five weeks I've trained hard, trying to get my ankle back to where I want it to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-flintoff/in-the-past-five-weeks-i-ve-trained-hard-trying-to-get-my-ankle-back/) [Andrew Flintoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-flintoff/) > [It isn't a coincidence that governments everywhere want to educate children. Government education, in turn, is supposed to be evidence of the state's goodness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/llewellyn-rockwell/it-isn-t-a-coincidence-that-governments-everywhere-want-to-educate/) [Llewellyn Rockwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/llewellyn-rockwell/) > [I have kind of loose ankles a little bit, and sometimes that's not always good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lee/i-have-kind-of-loose-ankles-a-little-bit-and-sometimes-that-s-not/) [David Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lee/) > [Doctor." Gideon set one ankle on the opposite knee and settled back, creating a picture of unyielding decisiveness. "The only way I'm keeping my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-day/doctor-gideon-set-one-ankle-on-the-opposite-knee-and-settled-back/) [Sylvia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-day/) > [Why do guys insist on wearing those odious jeans with their rear ends hanging down around their ankles? Do they really think it's hot?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-kluger/why-do-guys-insist-on-wearing-those-odious-jeans-with-their-rear-ends/) [Steve Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-kluger/) > [Dancers, you know, they have pain everywhere: ankles in the morning, or back or neck or ribs or knees or the muscles. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/dancers-you-know-they-have-pain-everywhere-ankles-in-the-morning-or/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) [Browse all 239 Ankles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ankles/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A runner needs not just to be skinny but - more specifically - to have skinny calves and ankles, because every extra pound carried on your extremities costs more than a pound carried on your torso. That's why shaving even a few ounces off a pair of running shoes can have a significant effect.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Malcolm Gladwell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but-more-specifically-to-have/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ankles" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but-more-specifically-to-have/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e5/malcolm-gladwell-348_ankles_a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but_2659110.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e5/malcolm-gladwell-348_ankles_a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but_2659110.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e5/malcolm-gladwell-348_ankles_a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but_2659110.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A runner needs not just to be skinny but - more specifically - to have skinny calves and ankles, because…” — Malcolm Gladwell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Malcolm Gladwell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A runner needs not just to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but-more-specifically-to-have/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/a-runner-needs-not-just-to-be-skinny-but-more-specifically-to-have/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```