Barefoot running and how to be injury free

ashlielinn

Great article on barefoot running and how to be injury free (even if you don't like barefoot running, which I don't!)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/magazine/running-christopher-mcdougall.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

lindsyrox

I've been transitioning to barefoot running and that article is awesome, but not very instructional....

When it comes to running you can't argue against evolution!

Skeebee

So, because I'm rather ignorant to the topic, I see this quite often at tris and marathons my husband runs; barefoot runners. Why do people do this and what is the benefit (if there is any) versus running shoes?

3dogsrunning

So, because I'm rather ignorant to the topic, I see this quite often at tris and marathons my husband runs; barefoot runners. Why do people do this and what is the benefit (if there is any) versus running shoes?

The argument is the humans were designed to run and the foot is perfectly designed to handle it. Shoes with extra padding allow us to run with improper form whereas if you were barefoot, your body wouldn't let you because it would hurt. One example is heel striking. If you were barefoot, it would hurt to heel strike, so a barefoot runner tends to run with more of a midfoot strike. It also allows us to run heavier, whereas barefoot running tends to lighten footfalls.
Also, the additional support found in some models does not allow our feet to get stronger, leaving our feet weaker and prone to injury.
Many shoes do not allow the foot to move naturally, which in itself, can cause problems when you don't allow the body to move in its natural way.
Those are just some of the points.

I just finished his book this week, it was a great read.
That said, I am still not sold on barefoot running for all. I do agree extra cushioning is not always good and over prescribed "corrective" shoes can cause problems, but there are those of us who do benefit from supportive shoes and would not do well barefoot running.