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Barefooting!

by Tally on November 17, 2010 Bookmark and Share

Barefoot feet ready for barefootin'Facebook is great. I learn about lots of new things from my many friends. A few weeks ago I read a comment from a facebook friend about running barefoot. Huh?

I never heard of running barefoot. Sure, kids do it all the time. But adults? On roads? On trails?

A quick Google search and a lot of reading taught me that there are many benefits to being barefoot.  There are even those that claim that modern shoes are over-designed. The cushy shoes, particularly running shoes, are more suitable for marketing than anything else. They are also claimed to be major contributors to injuries.

Since I am an alternative type of guy, the whole barefoot thing appeals to me. I ran track and cross-country in the early 70s. I continued to run after I went to college and after I began working. As I earned money, I could afford some of the "better" and more expensive shoes. As I worked more and more, my running dropped off.

I like this quote because, lately, running has not been fun: If you aren't having fun running, your technique is wrong. ~ Barehanded Matt

I also found this great YouTube video of the classic Barefootin' song:

YouTube video: Barefootin' Music Video by Aardman Animations 1987

From my research, transitioning from shoes to barefoot running takes time. As I noted before, I have been slacking for the past couple years. I have not been running much, so, in addition to transitioning I needed to get in shape.

I cannot work out at the gym in my barefeet, so until I get some minimalist shoes, I need to train my feet outside the gym. The first day I ran in place for a few minutes. I also bounced on my toes for a minute. It was not much, but I felt it in my calves.

The second day I ran about 200 yards. I work odd hours and spend a lot of time alone in a large office building. The longest straight hall is 50 yards long. The carpet is hard with a short pile. I ran back and forth twice for the 200 yards. I was amazed at how easily my gait changed to accomodate being barefoot. If anything, I ran too much on my toes. It felt good, although my calves still felt tight.

In the evenings at the office I kicked off my shoes and worked barefoot. I started running 400yards at a time. That is a bit shy of a quarter mile, but I really do not like running indoors. I did that in high school. We ran the school halls in the winter time to get ready for the Spring track season. I only ran inside when my legs and feet felt up to it, which was almost every day. I also ran in place occasionally.

So far, I like it. I enjoy running barefoot. Running in shoes, I used to feel like I was running in clodhoppers. I had a long stride and the heelstrike was jarring. Barefoot running is different.

I read about the short stride and the faster gait. It is true. Barefoot, I am running at about 3 beats per second or 180 bpm. Wearing shoes, my legs move at about one-half to one-third that rate. I was plodding along in my shoes.

The training video below shows it much better than I can explain.

Learning the Skill of Barefoot Running from Terra Plana on Vimeo.
 

Related Links:

  • Jason Robillard barefoot running form 2009: YouTube video showing barefoot gait
  • Learning the skill of Barefoot Running: A gread video by Terra Plana
  • Barefoot Ted's Adventures: Barefoot Ted is legendary among barefooters
  • Barefoot Running University: blog by author with 2 barefoot running books
  • Barefoot Runners Society: good blog
  • Zen and the Barefoot Joggler: I juggle, but have not tried juggling when jogging, yet.
  • Dr. Pate's Blog: Walk on heels, run on toes
     
  • The Barefoot Intactivist: A barefoot runner fights for genital integrity for all children
     

Related Posts:

  • Working out with beach shoes
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  • Barefoot
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Comments

#1 Interesting!

Submitted by Rebekah (not verified) on Sat, 11/20/2010 - 12:48pm.

Great intro to barefoot running. I am slightly intrigued now.

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#2 Go for it!

Submitted by Tally on Sun, 11/21/2010 - 8:47pm.

I am really happy that I learned about barefooting! I've ditched my shoes with elevated heels.

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#3 Great post

Submitted by Barefoot Intactivist (not verified) on Sat, 11/20/2010 - 11:22pm.

Fantastic post! I also had the problem of running too much on my toes. After a while I think your achilles and calve muscles stretch out and it becomes easier.

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#4 Lower legs are feeling tight!

Submitted by Tally on Sun, 11/21/2010 - 8:45pm.

My lower legs are really feeling it since I started transitioning to barefoot running. My calves are tight. I am sure that it takes time for my achilles tendon to respond to the increased range of motion of my ankle. I am taking it slow so my body can get used to it. So far, so good.

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#5 My experience

Submitted by Jen (not verified) on Mon, 11/22/2010 - 5:05am.

I used to run on the balls of my feet b/c I thought it felt more natural, then I got really bad tendonitis at the tendon on the inner side of the ankle. I transitioned to heel-toe running and felt much better. I love the way toe-heel running feels initially but maybe b/c my arches are SOOO high I am more prone to tendonitis? I worry about my arches b/c they are extremely high and usually I need a good supportive shoe with a heel lift for running. Any suggestions?

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#6 I have no suggestions for

Submitted by Tally on Tue, 11/23/2010 - 9:50pm.

I have no suggestions for supportive shoes. I have never worn a shoe that seems as comfortable as being barefoot.

You said that you were running on the balls of your feet, or your forefoot. Did you try a more neutral footfall? From what I am learning it seems that the preferred footfall is almost flat, with the heel slightly off the ground when the rest of the foot lands on the ground. Some advise having the outside of the foot land first with the foot rolling in to be flat.

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