Minimulist/Barefoot Running

[MidnightSpecial]

I have a friend (big hippy, mind you) that has been running like this for years. Run with him a good bit and always made fun of him for running barefoot.

anyways i did a good bit of research and decided to start trying it out.

Not barefoot.....im not that cool..........yet.

but i started off in a pair of old Nike Free's that i cut the soles out of so that i would keep myself from heel striking.

looking to get a pair of Vibram's for Christmas to further ease the tranistion




The Facts Behind It:
Well of course evolution didnt build us up to wear shoes...its a construct of the "civilized" man in order to keep comfortable and have soft pretty feet.

but the fact of that matter is that these very cushiony running shoes actual increase chance of injury and prolonged strain on joints and muscles

when you strike with your heel while running in heavily cushioned shoes it puts all of the pressure in alignment with your leg....meaning that the shockwave of force is put on your joints. causing hip pains, lower back pains, ankle and joint pains.

when you run on the balls of your feet like nature intended your feet act as the shock absorber by catching the source of impact then spring back when you push off.







Anyways after about 2 or 3 months of running like this and lightly running on grass barefoot i have to say it has really increased my endurance and form and i no longer get those ankle and joint pains.

i will say that the transition HURTS. since your muscles are used to the other way around.

but after your body adjusts it makes you feel like a ****ing gazelle running on the balls of your feet instead of heel-toe-heel-toe


i know this is a little lengthy and rather random but i just wanted to put this out there for people to read and maybe open your mind up a little bit

[Bastian Loc]

Its running man. It ain't gonna change your life.

I could run 5 miles in Chuck Taylors and it don't mean shit.

[MidnightSpecial]

Its running man. It ain't gonna change your life.

I could run 5 miles in Chuck Taylors and it don't mean shit.

not true at all

[Bastian Loc]

not true at all

I did it today man.

Right before my boxing workout.

Ran on pavement in Chucks and didn't feel shit.

[MidnightSpecial]

[Spartacus Sully]

I did it today man.

Right before my boxing workout.

Ran on pavement in Chucks and didn't feel shit.

any plans to do another 5 tomorrow in your chucks and then 5 thurday in your chucks and then maybe 8-10 over the week end in your chucks?


Im hoping to get a pair of the vibrim 5 finger bilkas for christmas too though i hear they dont do too good of a job at keeping your feet warm in the winter.

[boxingsmash69]

I have the Vibram Five Fingers Bikila and the SoftStarShoes Runamoc Lite (alternative to five fingers).
http://www.softstarshoes.com/index.c...category_id=43

All I can say is, I will never go back to a traditional running shoe again, and will be avoiding shoes with any kind of support, as much as possible.

[boxingsmash69]

Check out Christopher McDougall's book "Born To Run", very popular and highly rated.









http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...mcdougall&aq=1


http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidde...1118423&sr=8-1

[boxingsmash69]

Well, the Chucks have a similar concept. There is almost no support in those shoes, compared to traditional running shoes. The main difference between Chucks and minimalist type shoes, is the thickness of the soles.

Minimalist type shoes not only have no support, but the soles are so thin that you can feel the ground, no matter the surface type. Basically, minimalist shoes are just designed to shield your feet from common obstacles like tiny rocks, glass, etc.

[Klemman]

I used to run in cheap shoes when I was younger. I'd also let the soles get so worn out that you could see holes. Both of these were functions of having no money at the time.

So in my 40's, I now have a variety of hip and knee problems. So the moral there is just because you don't feel it now, be warned, that there is a lifetime cummulative effect.

I've seen stuff on barefoot running and it does make sense. A couple of things to consider though:

1. The evolution argument works, but remember, when we were cavemen we didn't run on asphalt and cement. If you are running on those surfaces instead of grass and dirt, you do need some cushioning. Also, back in the day when we were running barefoot and in sabre tooth tiger skins, there was no broken glass or rusty nails to worry about. A bad cut or infection can really reduce your ability to train.

2. If you are in MMA and fight barefoot, there is an advantage to training barefoot. However, if you are a boxer, you fight with footwear. I'd train in footwear whether it's in the ring, on the equipment, or on the road.