Barefoot Running
- Thread starter Linds
- Start date
I went several years in high school without buying shoes until I got stepped on by a steer. I was on the track team, and it was the healthiest I have ever been (no stress-related injuries, etc).
Now, I'm required to wear shoes for work (darn =P ), but I do still do about half of my workouts barefoot (so probably 20ish miles/week without shoes). I love love love being barefoot, but my conformation doesn't really allow for no shoes at all (one of my legs is stumpy from a long-ago leg fracture).
Now, I'm required to wear shoes for work (darn =P ), but I do still do about half of my workouts barefoot (so probably 20ish miles/week without shoes). I love love love being barefoot, but my conformation doesn't really allow for no shoes at all (one of my legs is stumpy from a long-ago leg fracture).
I play frisbee barefoot. I also wear tennis shoes, basketball shoes, and cleats for my other sports. Running barefoot is by far the best. I've never worn shoes much unless its needed, so my feet are tough enough to handle it. When I do go on runs though, I wear tennis shoes because the roads near us have a bunch of glass and junk on the side, and I'm not gonna run on the concrete.
I have flat feet and had shin splints in one pair of running shoes; bought a different pair and no more shin splints. If he's interested in minimal or barefoot shoes, he should definitely find a good running store and check them out. If he's not interested in it, he should still find a good running store and try to find a different pair that isn't going to hurt him.
Despite what people want you to believe, there are no scientific studies out there proving barefoot running reduces injuries - or that traditional shoes cause them. A Harvard scientist has done a lot of testing on barefoot running but even he notes there is no study yet that proves barefoot running is better for you. I'm not sure if he and his team are going to develop tests and further test his hypotheses, it would be interesting if so.
His study also showed that people who traditionally run shod still rearfoot strike when barefoot... and I do know people in traditional shoes who have retrained themselves to midfoot or forefoot strike. Personally my hypothesis is that it's not about the shoes or lack of them on your feet, it's about where you strike when you land... and while barefoot shoes can help promote a more natural midfoot or forefoot strike, there are definitely people who still have to retrain themselves to strike that way even after making the switch.
Lots of factors involved. A good running store is invaluable no matter which direction you go as long as the employees are truly qualified to help. My local running store is awesome and they'll help you make the best choice for your body no matter which way you want to go, and they've never pressured me to go one way or another. They got me set up with a great minimal-ish shoe with a lower heel to toe drop than the running shoes I've been in, but it's not full on barefoot, because people tend to injure their Achilles if they make the switch too sudden and too severe. We should have some good cool weather this week so I'm hoping to take them on a quick little spin on pavement and see how they feel...
Despite what people want you to believe, there are no scientific studies out there proving barefoot running reduces injuries - or that traditional shoes cause them. A Harvard scientist has done a lot of testing on barefoot running but even he notes there is no study yet that proves barefoot running is better for you. I'm not sure if he and his team are going to develop tests and further test his hypotheses, it would be interesting if so.
His study also showed that people who traditionally run shod still rearfoot strike when barefoot... and I do know people in traditional shoes who have retrained themselves to midfoot or forefoot strike. Personally my hypothesis is that it's not about the shoes or lack of them on your feet, it's about where you strike when you land... and while barefoot shoes can help promote a more natural midfoot or forefoot strike, there are definitely people who still have to retrain themselves to strike that way even after making the switch.
Lots of factors involved. A good running store is invaluable no matter which direction you go as long as the employees are truly qualified to help. My local running store is awesome and they'll help you make the best choice for your body no matter which way you want to go, and they've never pressured me to go one way or another. They got me set up with a great minimal-ish shoe with a lower heel to toe drop than the running shoes I've been in, but it's not full on barefoot, because people tend to injure their Achilles if they make the switch too sudden and too severe. We should have some good cool weather this week so I'm hoping to take them on a quick little spin on pavement and see how they feel...
Oh god no. I can't even imagine. I have like the lamest most sensitive feet ever.
I have home videos of me as a little kid being like 6 years old and I wouldn't even step my feet onto the mulch to plant some pumpkin seeds without putting on my shoes. LOL. It's quite ridiculous.
I can barely walk barefoot out to my car without being like "ow, ow, stepped on a rock, ow".
Good luck w/ that!
I have home videos of me as a little kid being like 6 years old and I wouldn't even step my feet onto the mulch to plant some pumpkin seeds without putting on my shoes. LOL. It's quite ridiculous.
I can barely walk barefoot out to my car without being like "ow, ow, stepped on a rock, ow".
Good luck w/ that!
Omfg. The thought of running barefoot makes me CRINGE!!! You are too badass Linds. 
I can just picture myself, running all awkward on my tiptoes, stopping every 3 seconds to check the bottom of my feet... I have the most tender feet ever. I collapse and sob if I step on a lego.
I could see running with minimalist shoes. I love my Nike high tops though.
I can just picture myself, running all awkward on my tiptoes, stopping every 3 seconds to check the bottom of my feet... I have the most tender feet ever. I collapse and sob if I step on a lego.
I could see running with minimalist shoes. I love my Nike high tops though.
Omfg. The thought of running barefoot makes me CRINGE!!! You are too badass Linds.
I can just picture myself, running all awkward on my tiptoes, stopping every 3 seconds to check the bottom of my feet... I have the most tender feet ever. I collapse and sob if I step on a lego.
I could see running with minimalist shoes. I love my Nike high tops though.
I can just picture myself, running all awkward on my tiptoes, stopping every 3 seconds to check the bottom of my feet... I have the most tender feet ever. I collapse and sob if I step on a lego.
I could see running with minimalist shoes. I love my Nike high tops though.
I'm from the south. At least one of those stereotypes is true lol, because if I can, I go barefoot everywhere.
omg, just died, hahahahahhha LOVE IT
Sillysally...beanie said it well. There really is no for sure right/wrong. Also, some flat feet are really deceptive...not something that would be picked up during a running exam at a shoe store. My feet are a wonderful example. I had 4 extremely fantastic physical therapists (plus I am a PT) do a standard exam you'd see in a running store (cause this is valuable), but you have to add it to a exam on the table as well. When they looked at my feet this way, they were all like 'whoa', you do NOT need arch support (which I have been told my whole life...it was pretty cool...but it takes a pretty talented person to pick up on this.
Sillysally...beanie said it well. There really is no for sure right/wrong. Also, some flat feet are really deceptive...not something that would be picked up during a running exam at a shoe store. My feet are a wonderful example. I had 4 extremely fantastic physical therapists (plus I am a PT) do a standard exam you'd see in a running store (cause this is valuable), but you have to add it to a exam on the table as well. When they looked at my feet this way, they were all like 'whoa', you do NOT need arch support (which I have been told my whole life...it was pretty cool...but it takes a pretty talented person to pick up on this.
I run in my VFFs. Rather, did run in them before my job took up all my time/desire to exercise. I LOVE the feeling of "barefoot" running. I don't feel clumsy and gross, I can't go for too far but my strides are so much better and I no longer heel strike like a moron (something I do nonstop in regular shoes, whether running or walking)
PS - I do have really crappy flat feet and let me tell you, the first like... week in VFFs (especially if you wear them all over the place) is going to leave your feet kinda sore, just because your foot's having to support itself rather than a shoe doing that work. Also if you are heel striker or don't have a proper gait, you might get a little pain from instinctively walking a certain way (and having no padding to cushion your heel as it rams into the ground)
PS - I do have really crappy flat feet and let me tell you, the first like... week in VFFs (especially if you wear them all over the place) is going to leave your feet kinda sore, just because your foot's having to support itself rather than a shoe doing that work. Also if you are heel striker or don't have a proper gait, you might get a little pain from instinctively walking a certain way (and having no padding to cushion your heel as it rams into the ground)
I wear Brooks Pure Connects:
The guy who helped me with shoes at REI said they were a great shoe for people switching from regular shoes and wanting to go more towards barefoot. They are a mininalist shoe, but not a complete barefoot. I have been soooo happy with them, now I just need to decide whether I want another pair of these when the time comes for new running shoes, or whether i want to try all the way barefoot.
So for people wanting to move more towards barefoot but have really delicate feet, they are awesome. I have never stepped on something and went OWWWWWW, but they sure are different from regular shoes.
The guy who helped me with shoes at REI said they were a great shoe for people switching from regular shoes and wanting to go more towards barefoot. They are a mininalist shoe, but not a complete barefoot. I have been soooo happy with them, now I just need to decide whether I want another pair of these when the time comes for new running shoes, or whether i want to try all the way barefoot.
So for people wanting to move more towards barefoot but have really delicate feet, they are awesome. I have never stepped on something and went OWWWWWW, but they sure are different from regular shoes.
