Barefoot Running? Anyone Else Try it?

[LinuxRacr]

So as you all know, I've been reading up on barefoot walking and running, and decided to give it a try. Sunday, I walked about 3 miles barefoot around my neighborhood, and up highway 1382. I had minimal soreness, and recovered very quickly. I think this is in part due to my use of the Vibram FiveFInger shoes for the last few months. Tonight, I got home, and decided to go for another walk, but this time decided to jog about a mile. I can already feel where I may be a little sore tomorrow in my calves. Both trips, no cuts, or anything.

 

[kipper88]

the only barefooting that i do is behind a mastercraft.

 

[DeadGeneration]

I have heard of the benefits of this but I am too afraid of the possibilities of glass, nails, etc.

 

[LinuxRacr]

Here is a little animation that visually puts it in prospective:

http://www.newtonrunning.com/run-better

 

[SuperStretch18]

This thread + your new avatar = hilarity!

 

[paylew]

I have heard of the benefits of this but I am too afraid of the possibilities of glass, nails, etc.

Agreed.
I don't go out of our yard/driveway without shoes usually...

 

[Diehonda]

I run barefoot all of the time. Yes, you will relearn to run on your forefoot, but once you get the hang of it you will reap the rewards.

1 - you won't have lame looking calves
2 - you will run faster and for a longer distance
3 - your sprint will be greatly increased
4 - you will have stronger ankles

I run at the local soccer park, around the neighborhood (hurdling over road debris, glass, metal, etc; makes you tougher so stop being a wuss), and at the local highschool.

Ideally, for you soft footed kids, you want to run in an area that is fairly clean or on grass.

 

[BlackCherry06]

I can't imagine why you'd want no cushion between the bottom of your foot and the concrete. Broken down arches and cartilidge is good for your feet?

 

[ProtoType5]

Running barefoot strenthens the arch so don't have to worry about that, and using the proper form, ie running on the forefoot, prevents damaging your heel/ankle....

I don't run, so I don't run barefoot....but I do enjoy playing soccer barefoot, and rock climbing barefoot....I really should start running tho...maybe not barefoot to start with...

 

[genericuser]

when I ran track in high school, once a week we'd run sprints on a golf course barefoot.. it actually feels kinda cool

 

[Diehonda]

Running barefoot strenthens the arch so don't have to worry about that, and using the proper form, ie running on the forefoot, prevents damaging your heel/ankle....

I don't run, so I don't run barefoot....but I do enjoy playing soccer barefoot, and rock climbing barefoot....I really should start running tho...maybe not barefoot to start with...

Soccer barefoot it awesome! I can bend it so many different ways when I kick barefoot. Plus you can get some knarly jukes.

 

[LinuxRacr]

I can't imagine why you'd want no cushion between the bottom of your foot and the concrete. Broken down arches and cartilidge is good for your feet?

That's what one would expect with the mis-information of shoe companies, right?

Read this: http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/

From here: http://lifehacker.com/383740/fix-your-achy-body-by-walking-barefoot

 

[kickniteasy]

I understand the benefits, but in this day and age of diseases and living in a town with 3 colleges I'd be scared of stepping in/on something and getting something nasty. I respect the barefoot runners, but I'll stick with shoes.

 

[DeadGeneration]

(hurdling over road debris, glass, metal, etc; makes you tougher so stop being a wuss

I'll think about that next time I get a boner from all my man-juices charging up when I get glass in my foot.

 

[RallyeRedSi]

IDK couldn't you go the beach and run barefoot on the wet sand? It be safer you could be running on the road and pow you step on a little pebble

 

[shootz]

I've been running for a long time now... HS, Div I college, and now on my own I'm into marathons. A couple of years ago I totally changed my stride, mainly so I would be able to run more efficiently. It took a long time for me to get strong enough in the new stride, but I have definitely reaped the rewards. One of the keys to changing my stride came from running barefoot. I usually find parks w/ a good amount of grass, but turf fields work okay too. Just make sure to be SMART about implementing a new kind of training.... EASE INTO IT. Just like when one increases their workout load over a period of time for a race, you need to allow time for your body to adapt to the new style/method of running. I love running barefoot. It makes you feel free and helps build up all of the stabilizer muscles in your feet and lower legs. But, to build muscle, you have to break down muscle, which will definitely make you sore.

Good luck all. I've heard good things about the 5 fingers.

PM for all of your running questions, I love talking shop.

 

[Diehonda]

I'll think about that next time I get a boner from all my man-juices charging up when I get glass in my foot.

Hurdle, dodge, dive. Debri can be avoided. If all else fails, stop and go around it. We humans have great brakes. All we have to do is stop moving our legs.


First thing to think about when you are changing from heel first to forefoot first. Your balance will change a bit so going slow to get the hang of it helps. Also, if your think of your stride like you are trying to tow something, you will pull your shoulders over your knees a bit more than the heel toe runner.

I think my favorite part of running is when you realize that you aren't gasping for air. Once I have my rhythm it is a lot of fun.

 

[jred321]

so stupid question. if running barefoot is better because you run on the ball of your foot and lay off the heel why not just run on the ball of your foot with a shoe on?


or alternately run in a non-cleated sprinting shoe?

 

[LinuxRacr]

It is a lot harder/about impossible to get the proper form running in regular shoes. The shoes like the Nike Free 3.0's, and the Newton Running Shoes get close. The Vibram FiveFingers get you a lot closer than any of them to the actual barefoot feel. The other thing to remember about shoes, is the fact that they actually deform your feet over time. Look at a baby's foot, and then look at yours. Are your toes straight, or pushed together from wearing shoes for years? I thought so.

 

[LinuxRacr]

Hurdle, dodge, dive. Debri can be avoided. If all else fails, stop and go around it. We humans have great brakes. All we have to do is stop moving our legs.


First thing to think about when you are changing from heel first to forefoot first. Your balance will change a bit so going slow to get the hang of it helps. Also, if your think of your stride like you are trying to tow something, you will pull your shoulders over your knees a bit more than the heel toe runner.

I think my favorite part of running is when you realize that you aren't gasping for air. Once I have my rhythm it is a lot of fun.

Exactly!

One thing that I have noticed is that going barefoot has made me a lot more aware of my surroundings, and what I am stepping on. Since you walk differently barefoot, you don't put all the weight on the front foot before your body catches up, so if you feel something, you have time to make a fast balance adjustment. Plus you generally are more inclined to watch where the hell you are stepping as well... I also notice just walking with my wife that she has a hard time keeping up with me, even though my strides are now shorter, and she is breathing hard, when I am not. She still hasn't tried the barefoot thing yet...