Have ya'll seen this article on how we're "wrecking our feet"? It's definitely an interesting (if a bit one-sided) look at the biomechanics of walking.
We've covered this topic in the past (see "Bare Your Sole" and"The Shoe for You"), and I'm torn. On one hand, I love my stability shoes. They've all but eliminated my knee issues and just feel better. On the other hand, I want to run as efficiently as possible, and my body will never learn and adapt if I don't give it the option. Throw ChiRunning into the mix, and I'm just starting to feel downright befuddled.
What are your thoughts on barefoot training? When it comes to shoes, is less actually more?
You could try the Nike Free line. They're supposed to be as close to running barefoot as you can get but still wearing sneakers LOL
I actually just wrote an article on this (THANK GOODNESS IT WAS SUBMITTED BEFORE THIS ONE CAME OUT. sigh. although mightcould I pretend I trumped ny mag?) although sans VERY COOL pics of feet painted with shoes ;)
I actually buy into it all.
and literally.
i ran (ha ha. dont forget to tip yer waitress Ill be here all week) out and bought a pair of the vibram 5 fingers which are GREAT!
marcy: I'm definitely tempted. Maybe run a couple days in the Nike Frees, and a couple in the regular shoes?
MizFit: So when do I get to read it?? :) In my book, you totally trump NY mag.
There are so many badly made shoes out there it's ridiculous. The Zulu are in magnificent shape and they've always been barefoot! I like the idea of running barefoot (although, the unfortunate thing is that there's so much garbage on the ground that you wouldn't really want to run around barefoot much outside, in most places...), even though I train with shoes myself.
But it totally makes sense- one of the best ways to train for running is to run barefoot in sand (beaches!).
MizFit, I want to read your article!
Sagan: I wish I had a pristine beach nearby to try out some barefoot running! I may have to settle for a relatively clean high school track.
Barefoot running is for hippies.
Kidding.
Kind of.
how sweet are you?!
Im working ahead as Ive so many balls (alas not BOSU. still caint afford one!) in the air.
first Im yammering about BALANCE, CIRCUIT TRAINING, MID YEAR CHECK IN ON GOALS and *then* barefoot running :)
have you checked out the vibram?
M.
I'll continue to take a nice comfy pair of shoes thank you very much.
The real question, of course, is what shoe??
Three guys were supposed to run the half marathon I did over the weekend barefoot. I never found out their results, but that's just crazy. I can't imagine doing that.