Minimulist/Barefoot Running

[Klemman]

1. When you ran back in the day, how was your technique? How were you landing? (midfoot/forefoot/heel strike)

2. You are now in your 40's with a variety of hip and knee problems. Even if you were running correctly (midfoot/forefoot striking) over your lifetime, is it possible that the kind of shoes you wear to work/exercise/hiking/regularly/etc. over time have an effect on your joints/hips today?

I'm theorizing that if someone went through their childhood/teens/adult years wearing shoes that don't provide much support/cushioning, they wouldn't have all these joint/hip issues later in life, due to their feet/legs/knees/ankles/etc being strengthened naturally due to not wearing supportive shoes. However they may be many other factors including accidents/injuries that may occur at any time during any activity in life.

3. What types of shoes have you used in the past, and currently, for all activities whether its for work/exercise/travel/casual/etc.?

4. Have you tried supplementing with glucosamine + chondroitin + fish oil for your hip/knee issues? Those 3 in combination work great.

The injuries I've developed are mainly due to wear and tear from a variety of activities. In addition to boxing, I've spent years in other martial arts, have competed in olympic weightlifting, and used to run anywhere from 5 to 15 miles per day. I competed in 5 and 10k runs, and in those days 5 and 10 mile runs too.(Note- I did not necessarily due all of these activities at the same times. I'm crazy, but not that crazy)

Now anyone of those sports could have stressed the joints in question, but from seeing both sports medicine specialists and an orthopedic surgeon, the general consensus was that all the running is the root of the trouble.

I tried to run on a variety of surfaces and terrains. For much of my running years I lived in Southern California so had access to sandy beaches, mountains, and streets, and ran on all of them. My running form changed with the terrain and speed/distance of the runs. I consider my form proper in most cases.

The point is, running is a tremendous strain on your knees and hips. There's an old adage that if you are ever at a road race and see a familiar face but can't remember the name, ask that person how is there injury doing. Because there is one certainty. That person is either recovering from an injury, currently has one, or is developing one.

As fas as shoes, I used to run in K-Mart specials. As the strains increased, I've worn, Nike Pegasus- a favorite for many years, and recently looking for more stability I started wearing Brooks Adrenaline.

As I originally pointed out, the barefoot running, and I've seen the literature, makes sense if your running surface is grass, dirt, or sand. If you are running on concrete/asphalt, you need cushioning. Now as in everything there are always exceptions, and there are some who run the streets barefoot. But the long-term effect with many are still to be seen.

Finally, glucosamine and chondroitin I've tried as well as other joint saving supplements . . However, the they are now seen in the medical community (not the supplement supply community) as not showing any proven beneficial effect. If anything, these supplements seem to have a placebo effect more than anything else. I take fish oil for the cardiac benefits.

Not that any of this matters to most of you but since you were kind enough to ask, I thought I'd pass it along. While I have my beliefs, I welcome any other thoughts.

[boxingsmash69]

I agree that running barefoot on cement/asphalt can lead to problems later in life. Time shall tell.

Have you heard of the Tarahumara indians?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarahumara

Apparently, the average Tarahumara can run about 100 miles nonstop, barefoot. One of them even ran 435 miles nonstop, barefoot. Now I imagine how often they are making contact with asphalt/concrete surfaces. I am guessing not that much, since they live away from civilization and modern structures.

I find it amazing that the human body can actually do that.

I discovered them from this very popular book called "Born To Run".

Digging up my previous post on page 2:

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

[triggerhapppy]

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

VFF are not for everyone. I ran in these very slowly and and in 100 yards I strained my calf muscle. Try them out slowly and see if they are for you. I love them for stength training and walking.

[MidnightSpecial]

many of you miss the point

its not the fact that concrete is the issue here

by wearing heavily cushioned shoes you tend to heel strike which causes more problems then you are attempting to fix with wearing cushioned shoes

by running barefoot you resort to proper mechanics which will result in less injures

if your run on concrete barefoot you will get less long term injuries than if you were to heel strike in the most cushiony shoes in the world

also who said their shoes have great support........

the lower you are to the ground the more support you have because your ankle is closer to the ground....also when you can feel the terrain your running on you have instant feed back to your senses to correct your stride....unlike with shoes on when you can misstep because you cant feel the change in terrain or slope

[Flab]

I never stand heel first. What kind of freak walks/runs like that?

[MidnightSpecial]

I never stand heel first. What kind of freak walks/runs like that?

i bet if we videotaped your stride you would be very surprised

[boxingsmash69]

many of you miss the point

its not the fact that concrete is the issue here

by wearing heavily cushioned shoes you tend to heel strike which causes more problems then you are attempting to fix with wearing cushioned shoes

by running barefoot you resort to proper mechanics which will result in less injures

if your run on concrete barefoot you will get less long term injuries than if you were to heel strike in the most cushiony shoes in the world

also who said their shoes have great support........

the lower you are to the ground the more support you have because your ankle is closer to the ground....also when you can feel the terrain your running on you have instant feed back to your senses to correct your stride....unlike with shoes on when you can misstep because you cant feel the change in terrain or slope

You and I are on the same page.

[boxingsmash69]

i bet if we videotaped your stride you would be very surprised

[Spartacus Sully]

i watched this show on some channel with this ultra marathon guy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Karnazes
http://www.ultramarathonman.com/flash/

he ran 50 marathons in 50 states on 50 consecutive days at one point in time along with several other marathons over his life.

when landing he lands on his heel and rolls to the ball of his foot.

[boxingsmash69]

Impressive, I know of that man. However, I am far more impressed by the Tarahumara indians. An average one can run 100+ miles nonstop, barefoot, some have even ran 400+ miles nonstop, barefoot.