Running- some unconventional wisdom

I keep seeing posts regarding running. In those posts I often see something else, correlating running with pain. And I just saw one saying you "need" supportive shoes more or less. This is very untrue.

Running barefoot helps correct form. It forces a more efficient form and strengthens your feet. So many muscles are not utilized when running shod. I'm not trying to convince anyone to run 100% BF all the time or go out and run 5 miles BF, because you probably will get hurt. If done properly and under a training schedule, you will run with better form and much LESS chance of injury.(shin splints, ITBS, knee pain, etc.) Stepping on foreign objects is actually quite rare, despite popular opinion.

If you run shod, pain free, then by all means keep it up. If you've had running related injuries or are just curious then give barefoot running a try.

I believe this is the 3rd time: I highly recommend the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. Also, here is a good link to a good bit of info.

running barefoot? it sounds like a nazi camp torture, is it like a new way of exercise lol

Yeah, I've been curious about barefoot running for a while now. I wasn't aware of the Runners World forum - I'll have to check that out.

I'm a little skeptical of the idea, yet intrigued at the same time. I'm a big barefoot enthusiast in general - I have been all my life, and second the notion that you don't generally step in nasty stuff when shod, so why would you when you're barefoot? I spend almost all my time at home barefoot.

That said, although the human body is a wonder, very few people's bodies work perfectly. I'm not sure I'm willing to toss out the whole idea that technology can help the innate flaws that we're born with.

Also, even as someone who happily walks outside without shoes and has lifelong callouses on her feet, there are times and places where this just won't work. I live in Arizona, and walking or running barefoot on asphalt there in the summer is asking for burns, no matter how calloused your feet are (we're talking melted tar hot). Likewise, I'm always biking over glass I don't see until it's too late, and I'm not really comfortable with the idea of being 2 miles from my home and bleeding from my feet! I've seen the Vibram 5 Finger shoes - they might help to address these issues, but they're still almost 100 bucks.

I'm not totally discounting the idea - I love being barefoot, and I love running, so I'd be happy to see the two coincide. But there isn't a whole lot of peer reviewed science on the matter (although I'll definitely be reading my way through your links - thanks), so for now, I'll wear my shoes and watch this develop.

"What about plantar fasciitus?  Will running barefoot aggravate it, or eventually heal it if I take it slow."

I don't know about that, back when I ran I always worse cheapo trainers, then that slipped a bit as I got older and lazier... but I DO know the last 8 years I've got more into city walking (4mph and the only exercise I can commit to) and my PF (which I had since childhood) got WORSE after I went into a sports shop, had a proper consultation etc, and came out with a £80+ pair of trainers ALLEGEDLY perfect for my gait etc.

They had a thick heel and yeah, I think they very soon trained me to thud my heel down... inevitably making the PF worse. I also got WEIRD swelling on the top surface of my foot, not edema as such, just pressure from the trainers.

They're now strictly relegated to popping to the shops, coz they're comfy in small doses, and I'm REALLY interested in the OP's point - may try that for walking this weekend, there's nothing to lose except a few funny looks!

If I do and if I get time I'll post my comparison, if anyone's interested?

Also, especially @ the OP, any opinions on those MBT trainers? I was quite interested in them, but my experience of "expert" advice did my feet in badly so now I'm a bit wary, informed opinion MOST welcome!!

maggie_snow, in my very unprofessional opinion and the opinion of others who barefoot run, those MBT trainers are a joke. Someone in the barefoot forum on Runners World posted that commercial or something. Their advertising is excellent, I give them credit for that. Though, they say some tribe(can't remember) is known for their strong feet and legs yada yada. These strong feet and such came from being barefoot most of their lives. So, MBT designs a shoe to mimic it?! To me, any logical thinking person would realize, to mimic barefoot, how about not wearing shoes???

kriklaf- Our feet are damn near perfect. Any strong structure is supported by a arch, including our feet. For hot asphalt, run in the early AM or late evening, or the dreadmill. Their are people who run in their VFFs that have over a 1000miles on them and say they barely notice wear and tear. Much more than any running shoe. It's a good, long-term investment.

Thanks!!

This is kind of on topic, with added stuff. Nose breathing, diet, workout etc.

Article This is VERY long. I didn't even read all of each section, but interesting nonetheless.

Thoughts?

"What about plantar fasciitus?  Will running barefoot aggravate it, or eventually heal it if I take it slow."

Plantars F. will not be healed by running barefoot. It will take stretching, icing and staying off foot...most often..repeat offenders with PF are people that are 1. wearing wrong sized and/or type of shoe and/or 2. people with fallen arches. Many runners, after years of running, will end up with fallen arches and thus the need for running orthodics [they differ from regular orthodics since they are thinner and more flexible].

 I'm a HUGE advocate of running barefoot and beach/sand running but it takes a lot of training to work up to effectively do that without injury.

Bump, for any runners.

Has anyone heard anyone with a Morton's Neuroma be able to do this?  I can barely walk around my house barefoot let alone go out and walk or run.  I love the thought except I'd have no choice but to run through miles and inches deep of duck and goose poo, might be cushy thought.

I used to go barefoot all summer when I was in my early to mid teens and ran all the time up at my parents cottage. At the start of the summer it hurt to walk on hot roads and sharp stones, but after a month you don't feel it anymore because your feet just naturally get very thick and tough. I'm thinking that I might try it again because I know it works well.

As for the weightlifting shoes (if it hasn't been explained yet), those are Olympic lifting  shoes and you really need to built up heal for snatch and overhead squats.

Original Post by monalisamonkey:

Has anyone heard anyone with a Morton's Neuroma be able to do this?  I can barely walk around my house barefoot let alone go out and walk or run.  I love the thought except I'd have no choice but to run through miles and inches deep of duck and goose poo, might be cushy thought.

I know of two people. It's a strange condition and I'm not tat familiar with it. However, the two ladies I know of say running in shoes aggravates them. Then again one of them says running for significant distances(8+ miles) or fast can cause them to flare up. You could PM them(Barefoot TJ & Barefoot Dama) on RW forums or start a thread and ask about it.

Original Post by dabrock:

I used to go barefoot all summer when I was in my early to mid teens and ran all the time up at my parents cottage. At the start of the summer it hurt to walk on hot roads and sharp stones, but after a month you don't feel it anymore because your feet just naturally get very thick and tough. I'm thinking that I might try it again because I know it works well.

As for the weightlifting shoes (if it hasn't been explained yet), those are Olympic lifting  shoes and you really need to built up heal for snatch and overhead squats.

 

Yea, I know trying to lift with built up shoes is usually hard(for me) because it isn't a stable surface, too squishy with heavy weight. Those shoes harder, to be more stable?

Original Post by bmx419:

Original Post by dabrock:

I used to go barefoot all summer when I was in my early to mid teens and ran all the time up at my parents cottage. At the start of the summer it hurt to walk on hot roads and sharp stones, but after a month you don't feel it anymore because your feet just naturally get very thick and tough. I'm thinking that I might try it again because I know it works well.

As for the weightlifting shoes (if it hasn't been explained yet), those are Olympic lifting  shoes and you really need to built up heal for snatch and overhead squats.

 

Yea, I know trying to lift with built up shoes is usually hard(for me) because it isn't a stable surface, too squishy with heavy weight. Those shoes harder, to be more stable?

It does take some getting used to, you need to get your core coordination and strength up or you tend to run around the room with the weight over your head. People usually stay out of your way of novice lifters on jerk days.

The shoes have hard soles, layered wood I think.

Whenever I see the world class runners compete barefoot then I will consider it as something more than a fad.

Original Post by cpa_pfs:

Whenever I see the world class runners compete barefoot then I will consider it as something more than a fad.

How about Abebe Bikila?

Original Post by dabrock:

Original Post by cpa_pfs:

Whenever I see the world class runners compete barefoot then I will consider it as something more than a fad.

How about Abebe Bikila?

 That and barefoot doesn't pay as much as other sponsors... You know all those elite Kenyans grew up barefoot, right? Then Nike came with a big fat check and said, "Run in these". *holds up racing flats* Not to mention top schools like Stanford who's coach has the track team train barefoot a good bit. I'm not saying become an exclusive barefoot runner, but just a little will help any runner.

I love when people show just how ignorant they are, to down something they know absolutely nothing about. Helps keep my faith in America. *roll eyes*