Running shoes ARE the leading cause of injuries to runners! I tossed out my running shoes 5 years ago and have been running exclusively barefoot ever since. My reason was to eliminate plantar faciitis. I know of others who started running barefoot to eliminate foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back problems. I am now 55 years old and run about 25-30 miles per week, injury free.
If you are afraid of stepping on little sharpies (they are not as prevalent as you fear), you would be better off wearing something like aquasocks or flip flops to run in. As the article says - the least shoe is the best. I taught a 65 year old man about barefoot running. He had stopped running because his knees were giving out. He switched to barefoot running (well, almost - he wears aquasocks) and is now able to run 3 miles a day without any knee pains at all!
Is barefoot running for everyone? Unless you are grossly disformed, I suggest that, yes, you could successfully run barefoot.
Ryan
Vancouver, WA
Slashdot Mirror
Running shoes ARE the leading cause of injuries to runners! I tossed out my running shoes 5 years ago and have been running exclusively barefoot ever since. My reason was to eliminate plantar faciitis. I know of others who started running barefoot to eliminate foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back problems. I am now 55 years old and run about 25-30 miles per week, injury free. If you are afraid of stepping on little sharpies (they are not as prevalent as you fear), you would be better off wearing something like aquasocks or flip flops to run in. As the article says - the least shoe is the best. I taught a 65 year old man about barefoot running. He had stopped running because his knees were giving out. He switched to barefoot running (well, almost - he wears aquasocks) and is now able to run 3 miles a day without any knee pains at all! Is barefoot running for everyone? Unless you are grossly disformed, I suggest that, yes, you could successfully run barefoot. Ryan Vancouver, WA