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I admit it. I am a tenderfoot. I cannot walk outside without shoes on. While we do not wear shoes in our home, I feel very uncomfortable walking outdoors with no footwear on. Every little crack and speck of dirt bothers my feet. Okay. I’m a wimp! I have even been known to wince in pain when I step on an oversized rock while wearing shoes!
As a long distance runner, however, I have seen several fellow runners who enjoy this sport barefooted. As the consummate neat freak, my first reaction is, “Ew! Look how dirty the bottoms of his feet are! I would never let him walk into my home like that!” Then, I wonder how such a person can possibly run about town with no shoes on, yet still have a smile on his face that suggests the ultimate freedom and exhilaration similar to when a dog sticks its head out of the window of a moving car: “This is the life!”
While I am uncertain if I will ever try running barefoot, I wanted to do some research into this matter. Is it good for you? Can you hurt your feet, bones, and joints? Are there any benefits at all? (Will Nike pay me to say “wear running shoes?”) Through my research, I found both pros and cons. This article will point out a few ideas and theories, but in the interest of all, I would suggest you continue your research on this matter and make an informed and educated decision for yourself. This is just a short article, not a thesis dissertation, and the research on running without shoes is plentiful!
Through my studies, I discovered that when you run barefoot, it causes less collision force to your feet than when you run in cushioned shoes. Those who run without shoes typically land on the balls of their feet, or perhaps sometimes flatfooted, compared to those who prefer to run in shoes. Those folks usually land on their heels first.
While cushioned running shoes are comfortable, studies show that they can contribute to foot injuries. Scientists studying this matter have observed that barefoot runners who land on the balls of their feet create smaller collision forces than those who hit with the heel first.
When you run on the balls of your feet or even in the middle of your feet, you can avoid more forceful impacts that are equal to two to three times your body weight (Ouch!). Researchers have observed that barefoot runners have a completely different strike when they land on their feet as opposed to those of us who (for now!) appreciate comfortable running footwear. It has been said that, despite what I want to believe, you can run barefoot on hard surfaces with minimal pain and discomfort. Actually, a few calluses built up over time can reduce injuries.
For runners who try to go shoeless and land with the heel first motion will find it to be rather painful, due to the large collisional force that hits the foot each time it hits the ground. On the other hand, barefoot runners typically point their toes more at landing, avoiding that collision effect and having more of a “complaint or springy” leg.
Modern people are used to wearing shoes, so taking the barefoot approach should be eased into. If you want to experience barefoot running, do so at a moderate pace, building strength in your calf and foot muscles.
Now, this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of information I absorbed in my research. Maybe I am trying to convince myself that I do NOT need to spend that $100.00 on that new pair of cool Reeboks shoes that I have had my eye on. However, how much money will I spend in soap cleaning the bottom of my feet? That is my dilemma. I have a race to run this weekend. It will be interesting to see how many barefoot runners there are….and how many of us still prefer comfortable footwear. Of course, come to think of it…I have never gone swimming with my shoes on!
(Information for this article was found at http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20100127/barefoot-running-laced-with-health-benefits and at the soles of my feet!)
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Nicely done! Barefoot running is absolutely feasible and safe, it just takes time to adjust. Harder, smooth, debris free surfaces are the best to train on because they are predictable and allow you to focus on form (midfoot lands first, heel lightly touches after). Wobbly stuff like sand can cause a lot of ankle pain, and grass can hide sharp stuff. Go slow (maybe 100 meters to begin with), tread softly, be prepared to take some time off if things get sore, and relax-relax-relax! It took me about 3 months to adjust to running on sidewalks and such. The major benefits are feeling much lighter, getting to feel the ground, and money in the bank!
April 20, 2010 - 3:29pmThis Comment