Is Barefoot Running for You?
There has been a lot of discussion of barefoot or minimalist running recently. Articles on barefoot running have appeared in the New York Times and the Boston Globe.
Recent studies indicate that running barefoot or with minimalist footwear like the Vibram Five Fingers (right) or the Nike Free (below) can improve your stride, reduce landing stress, strengthen your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and reduce injuries.
I have been running in the Nike Free 5.0 since it came out in 2005 and have run hundreds of miles in them, mostly on the treadmill. I like them because the are lightweight and very “packable”, since I travel a lot. They require some getting used to. You have to ease into them, gradually adding mileage. You feel sore in the feet, ankles, knees, and hips until you adjust to them. I don’t use them for more than 8-10 miles per week, but I have heard of people using them for much more.
If you need a lot of support or are an overpronator, these shoes may not be for you. But if you are looking for a lightweight, flexible shoe and are not injury prone, they may be a good addition to your running shoe collection.
Or you could go like the guy in the middle of this photo from the 2009 Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon, Tim Bourassa of Manchester, NH, who reportedly runs all his races barefoot. No word on whether he runs all his races in a loincloth.
Whatever you decide to do, take it slow and be careful. Let me know what your experience is with barefoot or minimalist running in the Comments.
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