Running Barefoot

[Kitsune06]

Knot- It's mentioned big-time in chi-running, isn't it?
Mimi- I had read that- re: rickshaw pilots. man. pounding feet on cobblestone or packed dirt day in and day out. you'd think... but you're right. Another study that I can't find right now documented natives' feet and foot structures- adults who'd never worn shoes etc. The 'lines' for their big toes were actually straight from heel to the tip of their toes. I know mine point inward a bit... and I was a barefoot kid. Can't stand tight shoes to this day... I liked your nike frees. I was actually really looking at the vibram fivefingers... they're forming quite the following in the running circles. 4mm thick vibram soles, polyamide uppers and individual toes. 'interesting' looking, to be sure, but yes, in a land of broken glass, dog poop and bottlecaps, I'm really interested.

[teigyr]

Just read this thread

I used to run track and would work out barefoot as much as possible. I know there was a higher incidence of things like shin splints even on natural surfaces like beach sand but this would be compacted beach sand -- like where the wet parts are. There was also a problem with things getting stuck in my feet! Little bits of glass, metal, or splinters would work up in my foot, I'd get a huge bump/infection around it, and it would start working its way back out. I got blood poisoning a fair amount of times and there were a few doctor's visits! Keep in mind I was doing a lot of distance in these runs and my shoe rebellion was a sore spot with my coaches and my parents.

Oh, and my toe got dislocated once also To this day, I can't bend it because I had to run a race right after it dislocated and I couldn't get it in my spikes due to swelling so I ran the race barefoot also.

It's probably great for lots of people if you're careful. I'm structurally not-so-good so I'm not sure about it being for me. It sounds like FUN though even now!!!

[mimitabby]

I have been doing a walk/run on an indoor carpeted track. I take my shoes off and run in my socks. It HURTS to run outside on the asphalt WITH shoes. So there's no way i would ever run barefoot outside. But it's fun to do it indoors where it is safe.

[snapdragen]

I love going barefoot, can't say anything about running though; not with my knees!

I took an outdoor survival class while in Canada a few years back. One thing we did was hiking barefoot. We learned to walk like a baby - front of foot hits the ground before your heel - silent hiking!

[teigyr]

Hiking sounds like fun

Honestly, I love being barefoot and maybe I did it unwisely. I think I'll look into that though! I've never heard of an indoor track like that.

Snap, did they make sure there were no pointy rocks??! Why is it better to do forefront to aft? I betcha you had dirty feet after that one!

[snapdragen]

I think it had something to do with your heel not striking down hard, like when you walk normally. Forefoot first you walk "softer". It was on well worn trails, combined with the soft walking I had no problems.

//I also learned how to start a fire, treat hypothermia and shoot a bow and arrow.

[margo49]

Saw something on tv years ago about some rural villages in Mexico where they (well the men) have this kind of football game that lasts about a week and the pitch is about 200 miles long. They play it barefoot (day and night) Someone brought them to do some ultra-marathon in the US and they got provided with shoes by one of the big companies and they hated them, had pain, ran slower and finally chucked them (and the sponsorship!)