Great article about running and footwear...

[Crankin]

I read that article somewhere else; however, I cannot see me ever running without shoes. I can't even walk without shoes! However, I am the person who has read Chi Running and a few of the other books discussed here (trigger points, etc) and they are just too complicated. If something hurts when i run (or ride), I change my position, form, etc, look at anything that might be affecting what I do.
Interesting though.

[salsabike]

Actually, Chi Running trains you to do a midfoot strike by its approach to body alignment and lean. You can do this quite well in running shoes. I started running in October, trained by a Chi Running instructor. No injuries yet. As a former dancer, I find that the basic body alignment principles of Chi Running make good sense. But I still wear the kind of running shoes my sports podiatrist recommends. I don't think the approaches are mutually exclusive. I know I personally could never run barefoot.

[jesvetmed]

Funny... My PT suggested that heel strike first was a more efficient running style and the preferred, but I'd read differently otherwise. I'm with Oak: confused. I guess I'll do what feels best to me.