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Runner's Forum: Running Barefoot?

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    Peacemaker636

    Good or bad?  Has anyone ever tried it?  What did you think of it?  What are your opinions in general?

     

    I personally love it, and find that I can't stand wearing shoes anymore.  My feet become uncomfortably warm and cramped.  Not to mention my form is much better barefoot :D  Mostly, running becomes an adventure--as opposed to a chore--when I run without shoes.

     

    Please, this is meant to be a thoughtful discussion, don't come and tell me I'm crazy or stupid for enjoying it.  I don't make snide comments about people who choose to wear shoes.

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    rpetreccajr

    30+ years and 40+ pounds ago I spent as much time as I could barefoot. I'd even go without boots for short periods while backpacking if the trail was nice and soft. In college, when the weather was warm enough (above about 45 farenheit) I'd walk to class about a mile and a half carrying sandals, then put them on to go into class. I thought nothing at all about running around playing frisbee or just running shoeless. Then I went to Africa with the Peace Corps where being shoeless was a bad idea for health as well as cultural reaons (I was a teacher and was expected to look and act the part.) Coming home I had to join the adult world and employers expect you to be shod. Now, I don'thave the padding, calluses or foot strength I used to have. Even though I lose the shoes whenever I can, I would not consider running barefoot anymore. I could not take the bruising. There is that extra 40 pounds to think of as well.

    If it works for you, great. Humans evolved without shoes. But for most of the existence of the species we lived much shorter lives. I would not expect to find many folks over 40 who will be as happy running shoeless as you are.

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberKDogg
    • CommentTimeOct 10th 2008
     
    KDogg

    I'll go about this in a bit different manner than my typical direct style, we'll see how it goes and maybe we can get this fully figured out - I hope a lot of people will participate.

    Some questions posed to any barefoot runners:

    1.) Why did you switch from wearing shoes when running to not wearing shoes when running? 

    2.) How do you explain the propensity of people to wear shoes to run in now? Why is it that they went from not wearing shoes in the past to wearing shoes now? 

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberGilly32
    • CommentTimeOct 11th 2008
     
    Gilly32

    This is a very interesting subject, Peacemaker.  I have to admit that I can't imagine going out and running without shoes, but the subject intrigues me.

    Dr. Michael Yessis has written a book called "Explosive Running," in which he devotes an entire chapter to Barefoot Running.  Then, Dr. Jack Daniels, whom many consider America's best running Coach, says the following in his book: "Barefoot running might be the most ecomical way to go on a forgiving synthetic track.  Barefoot running on the proper surface would probably produce the best race times.  This is because the runner would be using the lightest possible footwear (none at all), and the cushioning characteristics of the track surface eliminate the need for a midsole between the runner's foot and the ground."  (Daniels' Running Formula - Chapt. 15 - Page 185)

    It is an interesting subject, but no way I'm giving up my Brooks Defyance Shoes.  Heheheheheheheheheh

    Happy (Barefoot) Running!!!

    • CommentAuthorFree Membertravisio
    • CommentTimeOct 11th 2008
     
    travisio
    I ran in the Hartford marathon today and there was a fellow that ran it barefoot. I've seen him at a few other races running barefoot as well. I think people like him definitely legitimized the idea of barefoot running in my mind but I didn't think it was terribly outlandish to start.
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    RapidoHombre
    No thanks, my feet have always been too sensitive for that. Although I do take a lot of beach runs and if there's any place I'd like to do it, that's the place. My problem is my runs start on land before I hit the beach. The beach is only 1 mile long too before it hits a private beach. Today I ran on pavement and horse trails. The trails might have been a good place to go shoeless since there was so much mud on them. Pretty soon it will be way too cold to think about no shoes too.
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberTMFPeterV
    • CommentTimeOct 11th 2008
     
    TMFPeterV

    I injured myself in convential shoes running just a few miles and read somewhere that running barefoot forces you to correct your technique so I gave it a try. I got to the point where I could run 3 miles comfortably on ashphelt, at least on the road within our apartment complex. However, I wasn't prepared to risk broken glass etc outside so in 2 weeks I'll be doing the Marine Corp Marathon in the next best thing which I describe as "foot gloves": http://vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_sprint.cfm

     Note that I most definitely not an elite runner. I expect to finish a little under 4 hours.  However, as you may be aware, bare feet worked for Abebe Bikila who won the 1960 Olympic marathon http://vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_sprint.cfm (and did it again 4 years later with shoes.

    Reading:
    * http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/

    * http://runningbarefoot.org/?page_id=455

     - Peter

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjunkie_99
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2008
     
    junkie_99

    Where would you start bare foot running? I'm assuming you'd go back to the point you originally started running...so as not to injure yourself while "retraining" your muscles to barefoot running technique.

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    runstoppable

    For those of you that have sensitive feet but still want to try running barefoot a great alternative is the vibram five finger shoe. They are ultra light and flexible but still provide your feet with exellent protection when you find yourself running across gravel, acorns, pine needles and even glass. Vibram five fingers fit most feet comfortably and can be worn in any number of sports. I wear mine while kayaking and swimming in lakes and oceans. they certainly worth a look.

    http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberima_runner
    • CommentTimeOct 25th 2008
     
    ima_runner
    I had every symptom of IT band syndrome. Then I started running barefoot for track work, and the pain vanished. Draw conclusions at your leisure.

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