Practical Barefoot Running
Like anything that becomes a fad, and let’s face it, barefoot running has hit that point, there is the inevitable backlash. I can’t say I blame people either. Most of the things I read in the mainstream media are things along lines of:
- You will never get injured again.
- You will cure your injuries.
- Just shuck off your shoes and run stupid, you’ve been duped by the shoe companies.
- Studies show shoes wreck your feet.
While there may be some truth to these statements, they certainly aren’t whole truths. Unfortunately people believe these outright, attempt said barefoot running like they would shod running, and in the process injure themselves. This leads to immediate backlash, injury, blisters, cursing.
The more skeptical people see through the media sugar coated bologna. They then perceive barefoot folks as being out of touch with reality. Which if they followed this, they surely would be.
Unfortunately the shoe companies, and shoe retailers pick these blanket impossibilities as the targets of their attacks and rebuttals against barefoot running. It is difficult to attack research, experience, and common sense. It is much easier to attack straw men.
This hoopla makes it difficult to promote barefoot running in a pragmatic light without being classified as a nut-job. When I speak to people about it, I try to make the following things clear:
- It takes time to adapt, what to some may seem like, and actually be, a lot of time.
- It’s not going to cure anything, it’s not medicine, but it may help you change your stride for the better.
- You’re going to screw up. You’re going to drag your toes, or step on a rock, or do something else stupid…eventually. Just realize you were probably going to screw up running with shoes on as well.
- It may feel awkward as hell. That means you’re doing something right.
If you’re interested in running barefoot please remember that being practical, experimenting, and learning what works for you is the only true path towards smooth, injury-free running — whatever your choice of footwear.
Thanks for this. I find the middle-path is usually closer to Truth than whatever the loud talker on this side and the loud talker on that side are arguing about. My experience with barefoot running has been mostly positive, and I agree wholeheartedly that it takes time. I find my body is the best yardstick to tell me when I need to put shoes back on. If my feet are burning, or my calves hurting, then I know I need to run in shoes next time.
Thanks again, and I’ll start following your blog.
The middle-path is usually surprisingly truthful isn’t it? Glad to count you as a reader.
Well said. Everything in moderation.
When you say it takes a long time to adapt, people need to realize how long that is. I spent 2 months building up to 3 miles and then tried to set a PR on a 5k (28:49). I ended up hurting my ankle (a strain of some sort) and spent 2 months not running and I am just now starting to rebuild my mileage (not quite up to a mile yet). What I decided, is that you should run barefoot (I use fivefingers) for the enjoyment of running an not to set a PR. Also, don’t do all you running on a treadmill and then go outside and run 3 miles. Running outside takes much more muscle control (soreness) than running on a treadmill. Great post.
I think that people forget that they’ve been running in sneakers for 10, 20, or even 30 years. The body is an amazing thing, but all of a sudden running barefoot for a month isn’t enough to make a “transition”.
Wow great tips! thank you so much. This post is one big help for barefooters like me :)
It’s so true – part of the reason barefoot running is getting such backlash is because of misinformation. Great post!