The Wall Street Journal ran an article today about barefoot running - supposedly it is gaining popularity with marathoners and other runners because of the potential for more speed and less injury. To me it sounded a bit far fetched and too much of a blister fest.
And they also listed this product:
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/
But I thought it was something funny to share here.
These are great for staging Sasquatch prints
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I would think those would give me blisters between my toes. I hate wearing those socks that have the toe slots. They drive me nuts!
Jodi
I would think those would give me blisters between my toes. I hate wearing those socks that have the toe slots. They drive me nuts!
Jodi
OMG, nothing is sexier than those toe socks. NOTHING!
Foot fetish?
Jodi
Foot fetish?
Jodi
Yes mam
Seems like the “barefoot running is so good for you” thing rears its head every few years until people try it and find out it hurts. I personally don’t know any roads or trails anywhere near me that would be safe to run barefoot on.
I would definately avoid Liberty Park where the junkies hang out
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People were not meant to run with shoes on their feet. Especially today’s over-cushioned, over-engineered monstrosities. The reason a $100+ shoe exists is to make money, not because anyone really needs it. I used to run in adidas Boston Classics and my feet (high arches) started to ache when they hit about 250 miles. About 18 months ago Ashburn mentioned he ran in Brooks T3s until they fell apart. I gave it a try and let my feet adapt to the no-cushion shoes over the course of six months and ran upwards of 80mpw in Brooks T3s and Gel Magic Racers until I surpassed my body’s ability to adapt.
Now I run in any old racing flat, spike or minimal shoe I have kicking around the house. I’ll run about 300 hours this year (roughly 2,400 miles) and I have not bought a pair of shoes since January (and I’m still using them). My favorite is an old pair of track spikes; the spike plate protects my feet from rocks and give me a little traction in the dirt and sand.
One caveat though, man also was not meant to run on hard pavement or concrete, so some cushioning is not a bad thing. When I have to run on roads I use my least worn-out pair of flats or a pair of Nike Pegasus I have left over.
I saw the hoopla for the toe-shoe things a while back, but they were $80 and I can buy another pair of Brooks racers for that.
Actually find a place to run barefoot can be a hassle, but running in old flats is as close as you can come and probably a little more safe for your feet.
Chad
People were not meant to run with shoes on their feet.
Couldn’t this be followed up with “People weren’t meant to walk to pavement?”
Our modern shoes are the result of our modern running surfaces.
Man wasn’t “,meant” to do lots of things we do now … but I’m in no hurry to return to “Neanderthal Living”. Nooooo spank you.
I imagine there would still be overuse, imbalance, joint degradation injuries if all running was done barefoot on grassy surfaces (given the large running population).
“People weren’t meant to walk to pavement?”
I suspect you meant walk ON pavement, since I walk TO pavement barefoot all the time when ever I take out the trash. 
But yes, I believe I specifically said “Man was not meant to run on hard pavement or concrete.”
Barefoot running is done barefoot. Period. Get to a football field, run in circles (ok…rectangles)…then do the same on the track when your feet can take it…
You are correct - this “surfaces” every couple of years. I usually get a few patients out of it
I’m not totally against it by any means, and I even recommend SOME barefoot grass running (golf course is best, football field next best) for some select individuals, and I even do a little of it myself. But, to do this to build up your skin to run on rocks/trails/etc. is just silly. Having said that - it is damn hard to find a “minimal” trail running shoe for sure. Currently trying out a few (Brooks Cascadia that I don’t think is gonna’ work and an Inova-8 Flyroc that seems promising).
Man wasn’t mean to run 15 miles (hardly at all - too much energy expenditure; no other mammal has our endurance) on rocks/concrete, glass, etc. Plus, we were “young” then as we tended to die by age 35 and weren’t exactly 200 lbs either.
Might as well not brush your teeth or wear eyeglasses either. I’ll keep my shoes on, thanks! The “problems” caused by shoes and toothbrushing FAR outweigh their benefit.
Barefoot running is done barefoot. Period. Get to a football field, run in circles (ok…rectangles)…then do the same on the track when your feet can take it…
About a year ago, at the recommendation of my PT, I started running to a local high school track, taking my shoes off, running two laps, putting the shoes on and running home. I did this once a week, adding a lap every other week. Now I run 8 laps (2 miles) barefoot in the middle of my run. My plantars went away, my recurring achilles tendonitis has not been back. I doubt I’ll ever run from my house barefoot, but I’ll keep this up once or twice a week.
Don’t know about these shoes, but as a PT I recommend all of my runner to do some barefoot running. This helps strengthen the feet and great for injury prevention.
We had a thread on this earlier today. http://forum.slowtwitch.com/…;;page=unread#unread
I only train for the run barefoot. Several benefits I have found. I am faster running barefoot, my heart rate is lower, my recovery time is minutes rather than hours or days and my core gets one hell of a workout. No more lower back pain on long rides on the bike.
I have the Vibram Five Fingers and don’t particularly like them. There is to much work involved in making sure your toes are in the right place.
Right now I am running in water shoes or beach shoes whatever you call them. I got them for $5.00 at Wal-Mart.
When the weather warms up I run only on grass. Because I won’t run barefoot outside during the winter I don’t see a need to try to condition the sole of my foot like leather.
A couple of things I have noticed since training 100% barefoot for three years now. I have zero injuries. I am flat footed and that isn’t even an issue. My arch is very strong. I have arthritis in my knees and I don’t even notice it. My leg turnover is very quick.
When I do race I wear racing flats.
Even if you incorporate a mile or two of barefoot running in the grass at the end of a run you will reap the benefits.
When I first started to experiment with barefoot running I was suffering from Plantar Fascia and Achilles Tendonitis. I cured my Plantar in about 30 seconds. I just felt this incredible stretch from the bottom of my foot. I cured my AT by running a mile a day on the grass. It went away after 10 days and has never been an issue for me. I had an ITBS issue last March. I trained in regular shoes over the winter. The first day I could run barefoot it was gone.
Just give it a try that is all I can say. I have many links about the benefits of running barefoot if anyone is interested. You can also write to Ken Bob Saxton at the Yahoo group. He very friendly and willing to answer any questions.