Running Barefoot?

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Permalink Reply by Jay Wyss on September 4, 2009 at 12:27pm

After sustaining an injury to my right achilles tendon this year, I was out of action for several months. This summer, I have discovered that barefoot running really strengthens my lower legs, achilles included. I definitely recommend it and I think it may be saving my running.

I find it best to do on an in-field around a track or at a soccer complex. I like to do it at least twice, preferably three, times a week for 15-20 minutes at a go. I think it really helps one learn to be efficient and very mindful of one's stride. I remember reading in Jack Daniels' book that the ideal footware for fast racing would be barefoot - except that the surfaces we race on (tracks and roads) would tear our feets to shreds.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Levins on September 6, 2009 at 12:56pm

RE: the Bikila reference...I recently read a book about the 1960 Rome Olympics. He brought a pair of shoes with him to Rome but something happened to them. He got a new pair in Rome but they cut his feet. He determined that it would be better to run barefoot (as he often did) than to run with shoes that would injure him.

Mike

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Permalink Reply by Brian on September 7, 2009 at 2:16pm

I just started running almost 2 months ago. After about 3 weeks I went to 3sports and talked to them about some good running shoes and how I was having really bad shin splints. They watched me walk and all the good stuff. I got a pair of neutral asics that while walking around felt good.

Next day tried running in them and still had bad shin splints. So I took a break for a week to let them recover. Tried again and still bad shin splints.

At this point read a lot about barefoot and vibram fivefingers. I ran barefoot a little bit and after 2 short runs got use to it. Also running in some cheap water shoes as well until I can get some vibrams. You know what? No more shin splints and I've been doing some pretty good runs for someone who as NEVER run in his life, no sports either ever.

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