Ditch your trainers and run barefoot.

I know this is a topic of controversy. All I can offer in anecdotal evidence.

I used to struggle with lower leg difficulties frequently, and went to see a lot of physio professionals and the like. Most suggested that I focus on a heel to toe landing, and supplement this with large cushioned trainers. I because very good at landing lightly on my heels, but I it never reduced the frequency of injury.

I began reading about all of the minimalist propaganda after fracturing my fibula two years ago. When I was able to get back to running, I wanted to try forefoot landing, but found it very difficult with a high heeled shoe. Therefore, because I was unable to find any minimalist shoes in my area, I figured I would try running in barefeet and the golf course. It took a little getting used to, but once my achilles got stronger, I began landing very much on my forefoot. I got brave/foolish on day and went out on the asphalt barefoot and tore up my feet. After they recovered, I did it again, and again. I am now able to run 12 miles on asphalt and gravel no problem. It really feels great and my lower legs have become much stronger indeed. I also learned to increase my turnover rate, and I now run very lightly and efficiently. Hills feel much easier than before, among other things.

I would not recommend this to everyone, and for 1/2 or 2/3 of my runs I use Mizuno Wave Universe 3's, which are really great minimalist shoes (stay away from Vibram for running). If you are interested in it, you may it enjoy it, and you can take it farther than just laps around the track on the grass. I should also recommend that you supplement the change with lots of lower leg exercise using runner bands and plyometrics as you begin. If you are really up the creek when it comes to injury prevention like I was, it may be time for an extreme change.

Why? Much obliged if you have time or will to answer.tpcb (not my handle, i get tired of it sometimes...)

MilkDrinker wrote:

I know this is a topic of controversy. All I can offer in anecdotal evidence.

....(stay away from Vibram for running)....

... If you are really up the creek when it comes to injury prevention like I was, it may be time for an extreme change.

Alf Shrubb. wrote:

Too late for me at my age, but for young people?

Do as I say, not as I do?

yeah, if you want to step in a load of broken glass, etc. it depends where you run. if you're running at night, on road it isn't so wise and i'm not sure i fancy running off-road at night barefoot.

People ask me about glass a lot. I can in fact, run over broken glass. The kind of glass that would be capable of doing damage would have to be so large that it would be hard to not to notice. You probably would not want to step on that with shoes either. Small glass is really not to sharp.

I will admit though, that running barefoot at night is something that I would not recommend. You must be careful of bumps and holes more so than sharp objects.

screw that

wear some shoes

Minimalist propaganda is the same as running shoe propaganda.

Let's face it, running shoes are a hustle. Yes in some cases a little protection is good. The problem is that shoe companies use this notion to justify their outrageous technology.

Here are some facts about shoes.

The latest technologies are based around what looks cool, what China is able to manufacture, and creating new patents.

The latest tech is NOT based in research around keeping you injury free, helping you run faster, or helping your body in any way shape or form.

Every study indicates that high heeled running shoes cause more pronation than the subject would display barefoot. Ever notice how the tech shops will film you barefoot, suggest a shoe, then NOT film you in the shoe? There will be more pronation in the shoe.

The shoe companies are well aware of all this and are now trying to address it. The market is oversaturated. You can get a good pair of running flats for 40 bucks.

The key thing to remember is shoe companies are not trying to help you run injury free. They are not your coach, teammate, trainer or friend. They couldn't care less about your injury because for every 1 serious runner who gets injured in their shoes, 10 more are buying shoes to walk around in.

All that being said, going straight to barefoot is not smart. You are addicted to shoes and need to be weened off them. Eventually work your way down to as little shoe as possible.

Don't let the shoe companies hustle you, and don't let them fool you.

MilkDrinker wrote:(stay away from Vibram for running).

So you talk about running on asphalt and gravel barefoot but tell people to stay away from vibrams?? What's wrong with vibrams? If you're going barefooot there's nothing wrong with them, I have two pairs.

thanks for tip on these barefoot running shoes...WOW...Clark’s Vivo Evo running shoes.....can't wait when they come out in the Spring!

http://www.terraplana.com/the-evo

I thought the average, or most runners, had good form by default. I'm not so sure after this weekend's marathon. I needed ear plugs for the runners next to me from how loudly their feet where slapping the ground. I ran next to, passing most, at least a few hundred runner and only a handfull had a quite foot strike.

And to beat someone to the punch, no I was not back with the 4-5 hour crowd. These were experience runners and they were "pounding" the pavement.

I know one thing for sure. If you take those foot gaskets off (e.g. shoes) you will not be running with you foot slapping the ground very long...

wait what wrote:

MilkDrinker wrote:(stay away from Vibram for running).

So you talk about running on asphalt and gravel barefoot but tell people to stay away from vibrams?? What's wrong with vibrams? If you're going barefooot there's nothing wrong with them, I have two pairs.

I have a pair of KSOs and I really enjoyed them for hiking when I first purchased them. When it comes to running however, I feel that the main incentive is that your are more easily able to run quiet and light-footed, and also that you are more able to feel the ground and therefore feel more coordinated and responsive. My main complaint with the Vibrams is that they are a little bit heavy and tend to slap the ground, and that your toes are unable to move naturally because they are so heavily protected. I see that they have recently begun manufacturing a model that looks more flexible in the foes, but it will never be that same as going entirely barefoot.

I should mention also, as somebody mentioned the notion of barefoot propaganda being similar to that of the shoe industry, that bare-footing really is no magical cure. I do not really promote it over wearing heavy trainers. My feet are very tough, I can run comfortably on gravel, but of course I will never be able to run as easily on gravel as I could in trainers. Likewise, barefoot running has its advantages as well. I enjoy the bare foot running. It feels great, it makes my legs a little bit stronger, and has helped to make my form more efficient. It really come down to doing what is most fun and most comfortable.

It's 11 degrees outside. I'm not about to run barefoot.

Everyone who posts something about how barefoot running on asphalt revitalized their training needs to post 1. How much they train, and 2. How fast they are.

Not an insult, but to be perfectly honest if you're running 17+ minutes for 5k then you don't need to be telling people how much faster they could be using POSE or barefoot or whatever. And if a truly competitive runner wants to weigh in, then surely knowing they run sub 2:30 or 15:00 etc will lend more weight to their argument.

I don't know what vibrams are, I thought it was a type of rubber.

I do run barefoot as much as possible, and get my running shoes for 5 to $20, usually $10.

edumacator wrote:

Everyone who posts something about how barefoot running on asphalt revitalized their training needs to post 1. How much they train, and 2. How fast they are.

Not an insult, but to be perfectly honest if you're running 17+ minutes for 5k then you don't need to be telling people how much faster they could be using POSE or barefoot or whatever. And if a truly competitive runner wants to weigh in, then surely knowing they run sub 2:30 or 15:00 etc will lend more weight to their argument.

That is another thing. If two years ago when I was running in trainers I had seen somebody running barefoot, I would have thought it was a poor idea.

I run about 80 - 100 miles per week, and although I had a messy time with injuries during the past few years, I am getting back to competitive running. I am able to run in the 15:00 to 16:00 range.

It is not just something for non-competitive runners to enjoy. You can train at a fairly serious level while incorporating a significant amount of barefoot running. Like I mentioned, it is not magic, but in my case it did help me to fix up my form and cadence, which has in effect made me a faster runner.