The funny thing, or not so funny, is that it isn't running that causes the common problems plaguing most runners today. But, then, if you read the article you would already know that. It is running poorly, or running with feet weakened from lack of use.
What most people forget, before they even consider running barefoot, is that you will not pound your feet into the ground, or skuff them along, like we hear so many shod runners doing, because we have a whole lot of nerves in the soles of our feet, not put there to torture us, but to teach us how to run gently, gracefully, and efficiently.
Once you start running gently barefoot, all those other problems, rough gravel, debris, impact, etc., become nonsense. Even broken glass. Most of it just lays there, not jumping up and attacking, or slicing our soles, at least not as long as you're running very gently, and not slamming your foot into, or sliding your foot across, the ground like a senseless fool.
But, when we run with shoes, blocking this invaluable feedback, we truely do become "sensless" runners. And our feet still want to feel the ground, so we, instinctively push our feet harder into the ground, in hopes of feeling some sensation. Instead, the impact just travels straight up the leg, because we have forgot how to bend our knees for cushioning, because we the cushioning in shoes is just enough to block the sensation of impact, but not enough to protect us from the impact we do not feel. Running with shoes is a lot like being blindfolded.
I don't run barefoot because I have excellent biomechanics.
I have excellent biomechanics BECAUSE I run barefoot!
Running Barefoot teaches us to run... better!
Have fun,
Barefoot Ken Bob
barefoot since conception
barefoot runner of countless miles
shod finsiher of 1 marathon (it hurt too much to do again)
barefoot finisher of 69 marathons (and still going, hope to complete 4 more this May)
barefoot finsher of hundreds of other "foot" races, shorter, and longer, on trails and/or roads
53 years young, no knee injuries, no broken ankles, no gashes on my feet.
webmaster for http://runningbarefoot.org/
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The funny thing, or not so funny, is that it isn't running that causes the common problems plaguing most runners today. But, then, if you read the article you would already know that. It is running poorly, or running with feet weakened from lack of use. What most people forget, before they even consider running barefoot, is that you will not pound your feet into the ground, or skuff them along, like we hear so many shod runners doing, because we have a whole lot of nerves in the soles of our feet, not put there to torture us, but to teach us how to run gently, gracefully, and efficiently. Once you start running gently barefoot, all those other problems, rough gravel, debris, impact, etc., become nonsense. Even broken glass. Most of it just lays there, not jumping up and attacking, or slicing our soles, at least not as long as you're running very gently, and not slamming your foot into, or sliding your foot across, the ground like a senseless fool. But, when we run with shoes, blocking this invaluable feedback, we truely do become "sensless" runners. And our feet still want to feel the ground, so we, instinctively push our feet harder into the ground, in hopes of feeling some sensation. Instead, the impact just travels straight up the leg, because we have forgot how to bend our knees for cushioning, because we the cushioning in shoes is just enough to block the sensation of impact, but not enough to protect us from the impact we do not feel. Running with shoes is a lot like being blindfolded. I don't run barefoot because I have excellent biomechanics. I have excellent biomechanics BECAUSE I run barefoot! Running Barefoot teaches us to run... better! Have fun, Barefoot Ken Bob barefoot since conception barefoot runner of countless miles shod finsiher of 1 marathon (it hurt too much to do again) barefoot finisher of 69 marathons (and still going, hope to complete 4 more this May) barefoot finsher of hundreds of other "foot" races, shorter, and longer, on trails and/or roads 53 years young, no knee injuries, no broken ankles, no gashes on my feet. webmaster for http://runningbarefoot.org/