Best Barefoot Running book?

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

This.

LOL My first thought was, "you need a book to learn to run barefoot?" What will they tell you, Step 1: Remove shoes. Step 2: Remove socks. Step 3: Run like the wind!
:laugh:

Born to Run is a great read, but it doesn't really get into form much at all. It may convince you to run barefoot, but if you're looking for more of a how-to, you should read Chi Running. It has practical ways to improve your form.

There's also Barefoot Running, Step-by-Step (by Ken Saxton and Roy Wallack); Barefoot Running (by Michael Sandler); The Barefoot Running Book (Jason Robillard), and; Run Barefoot, Run Healthy (Ashish Mukharji)... all are good.

BTW, you may also want to check out the articles on the blog at www.Invisibleshoe.com (especially http://www.invisibleshoe.com/1310/how-to-run-barefoot/ and http://www.invisibleshoe.com/1061/how-not-to-start-barefoot-running/).

While you're there, you'll see the high-tech huarache running sandals (a university study coming out next week shows that they are just like being barefoot, but with a layer of protection).

They actually have several books on how to incorporate barefoot running into training. "Born to Run" really doesn't do that. It's more of a book written almost as a memoir, with some scientific aspects thrown in. Great book, and I would still recommend reading it, but it's not helpful if you need some instructions for incorporating barefoot or minimal running.

I would suggest "Barefoot Running: How to Run Light and Free by Getting in Touch with the Earth". Also 'Barefoot Running Step by Step" is supposed to be a good one. I've heard a few people say that offers more suggestions about how to actually get into it gradually, to avoid injuries from overuse right away.

There's also a book from Runner's World about minimalist and barefoot running, that's more of a instructional book as well.

I don't know if that's exactly what you're looking for, but definitely read up on suggestions as to how to incorporate it, otherwise you run the risk of injuring yourself if you do too much too soon. Good luck!

Born to Run... for sure

Don't know the nature of the injury preventing you from running ... while you heal, how about foot and achillle strengthening exercises? With barefoot running, allow yourself a couple weeks at least to work on getting those muscles--weakened by decades of support by shoes--stronger with activities like picking up pebbles with your toes, walking barefoot whenever possible, and check out here http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-prepare-for-barefooting/#axzz1tG9NkYR0

Its actually weak ankle and collapsing arch on my left leg. i am seeing physio and doing exercises daily to strenghten the muscles. monday i go for another appointment where i will actually run the track there with the thereapist and he will look at my gait and what mechanics need tweaking in my stride...

From experience, ballet exercises are amazing for strengthening feet and ankles (even if you're a guy). Google search 'ballet strengthening exercises ankles' ... for instance, walking around slowly on tiptoe, spelling the alphabet with your feet, and standing on a step and raising up to toes and dropping back slightly below step will also strengthen. Be aware of your body alignment and that your weight is over the middle of your feet and not on your heels. I don't know how severe the ankle injury is so take it slowly or wait until you're able if the injury is too severe. Conventional physios may recommend an orthotic which will be a crutch rather than a correction--hopefully will be aware of mechanics of barefoot running.