Barefoot walking/running

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

By:  Christopher MCDougall

Talks about this, good book!

Have to add a disclaimer to my recommendation. DO NOT settle for imposters when it comes to this shoe. I made that mistake once...thought I'd save myself some money and got some cheap chinese model. Felt like I was walking on bricks.

I am always barefoot in the house. Outside though, it is probably safer to wear shoes. As a teenager. I stepped on a burning cigarette butt!

I like to jog barefoot in my yard though - I think it is very good for your feet, but it takes a while for your soles to toughen up.

I am thinking of trying those new shoes being advertised.

How interesting to come across this thread.

 A few months ago, a friend recommended the book "Pain Free" by Pete Egoscue, that I was able to find in the library and which I am currently reading and doing the recommended exercises.  This guy actually recommends going barefoot saying that it is very good for the feet. 

I love this topic! A couple of years ago my husband read "Born to Run" then followed that one up with a book called "Chi Running". When he told me that he was going to start the Chi running method and use a mid to forefoot strike (landing where you come out of the swing phase of your gait) I thought he had lost his mind. My degree is in Physical Therapy and I worked for 13 years in the field prior to having my first child then cancer. I was always taught that the start of the stance phase begains with a heel strike, not a forefoot or midfoot strike. To me, it did not make sense. Then I started watching kids run barefoot at karate. No shoes. No learned patterns of running. And guess what - they hit the ground with a mid foot or forefoot strike. Every single one of them. So, I was convinced that I needed to try this out. I skimmed through the Chi Running book and watched the videos, then tried it. I have had knee issues for the past 10 years or so - which had gotten worse a couple of years ago, but the methods made sense to me. When striking the ground with the heel, it jars the rest of the body - all the way up the leg. Makes sense since the heel is bone and rigid. When landing with a midfoot or forefoot strike, the ball of the foot is not only padded, but allows a type of spring board for shock absorption, by allowing flexion and extension of the ankle and through the forefoot. I first started out running in my Vibram 5 fingers, and I did like them, but stepping on a rock in the early morning hours does NOT feel good with the 5 fingers! They have since added another model that has a thicker sole, but that one pulls my pinky toes to the side so this does not work for me. I tried on multiple brands and models of minimalist running shoes in order to find what works for me. I finally found it in the New Balance wt20 model. (I think... I may have to go double check the model number). Anyway, I LOVE them! They are so comfy, I can wear socks, and rocks do not hurt! The longest distance I have run in them so far is 4 miles, so I can't say how they would be for something like a half marathon, but I think i t is more technique than cushioning that makes the difference.



I will give this word of warning for those of you that may be thinking of taking up barefoot running or using a minimalist shoe - heed the warning that the sales rep and some of the box labels as well that tell you to START slowly when switching to this kind of shoe. Your legs and ankles work differently when running barefoot - even walking barefoot - and many have injured themselves by doing too much too soon! The most common injury is calf strain, which can be pretty severe. So go slow! As for me, my knee has not hurt since I started running with minimalist shoes. I love them. I want to buy 20 pairs just incase they decide to change them! . Good luck with your running everyone! Weeeeeehaaaaaa!