New to barefoot running? Nervous to try?

Sadly it takes a modicum of training to re'learn' something we were born to do in the first place. We'll call this retraining.

I see a parallel in the adoption of football helmets. The helmets protected football player's heads so their levels of impact could remain high. Later we learn that although the head's skin is protected, the brain suffers so much internal impacting that damage is just delayed. It's the same with these 'protective' shoes. Were able to run over broken glass, but any other claims are not the complete picture.

To acclimate and retrain, try this: buy a cheap pair of tube socks from your grocery store. Run wearing just these socks. (well maybe some shorts and shirt were apprpriate). Chances are in 0.5-1mile you'll see wear patterns already in the fabric! This is a bad sign, but don't worry it's fixable. Save the socks, save pics of them labelled with the distance it took to create.

Practice your short steps, light landing, quick cadence and NO push off when lifting the foot- you'll notice these socks last longer and longer wear-free.

Give it a try and post your comments.

Barefoot Running UK Newsletter Issue 2

Great periodical. Make sure you subscribe to it! :). http://thwaits.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/issue-2.pdf

Sneak Peak on some 2012 Vibram Five Fingers

I think this pair is very good looking! Seems like VFFs are sticking to the similar designs, yet a noticeable improvement to the tread, showing notches.  Maybe this material-removal is to lighten them up?  I'm still sad to see them hitting the $120 price point.  Making me consider tying retired car tire treads to my feet...  Link Here  

Beer for Runners?? ((eww, lordy, i hope that's the case!))

This is one of my many vices. I know there's a 20min window after a work out of the day (W.O.D.) where I get the opportunity to fuel my deleted muscles. But after evening workouts, esp in the summer, a beer seems right. Maybe I'm on to something as explained here: LINK  

• Beer drinkers experienced a greater support for the immune system.
• Beer drinkers experienced fewer colds.
• Beer drinkers who experienced colds had shorter, more mild infections than the abstainers.

How are the Ramari Able To Run So Far?

In Cabello Blanco's words - they are closer to their genetic roots than we are.  This makes them ahead of where some of us want to be!

New-New Balance Trail Shoes. (If your MT100s are wearing out, here's the replacement).

The latest New Balance Minimal trail shoe, the MT 101.  I have had my MT100s for more than a year and they're holding up great.  I wore them in my first 50miler (the 2010 JFK50).  The 100s are light, allow water to flow through them, and have a good combination of ground-feel versus rock protection (normally these attributes are inversely proportional), but the tread is not 'grippy' for muddy or wet rocks. - all trade offs.  More info here.  What's your trail shoe?

GPS Watches? Who uses them?

Which watch is for you?    Already have one? Any horror or reliability stories?  (add your comments below)

Zero-Drop and Foot-Like Soles. Seems to be the motto of Altra

From a press release Here:  I think these guys get-it.  I'll soon be getting a pair of their more moccasin-like shoes to train in (the Adams).  The thinner soles will offer a bit more ground feel than the Merrill Trail Gloves I have been training in.  There is a video in the "Friends of Paleo-Runners" tab.  Seems like a nice small business success-story.  Will they maintain their pace of giving us what we want?  Hope so!

How to Prepare for Barefooting (stretching and strengthening from Mark Sisson)

...before you tell your friends to burn their shoes, consider something: the shod foot has been living in a cast most of its life. -- When the modern foot is called into action, like at the gym, on a walk, or when going about daily business, they are usually wearing shoes that restrict muscle engagement and turn the feet into passive pieces of leather and rubber that slap along the ground. The feet are merely along for the ride; they do nothing, while the hips and ankles must shoulder the load. Ever seen an arm that’s just had a cast removed? It’s a skinny, withered shell of its former self. The muscles have atrophied, so it’s weaker. The connective tissue can’t quite handle the demands of regular use, so strains are a real possibility. It’ll even smell bad until you wash it (just like some feet), because it’s been cramped up for so long.  Article here  

Great Race Report from a First Time Ultra Marathoner

Funny story, "unicorn tears" and "angel entrails" included. Ultra runners know what he's talking about. Link here

Barefoot Running Clubs Entering Races Together

Alan Soucy's physical therapist told him several years ago he could never run again unless it was across the street. But last night Soucy finished the Yankee Homecoming 5K Road Race with none of the recurring back pain that almost forced his retirement from the sport he's loved since high school. And he swears  that running barefoot has everything to do with his renewed love of running.  Story here.  


*When I ran the 2011 Boilermaker 15km with no shoes, I was met with curious attention and also pity.  Some people were actually afraid they'd step on my bare feet.  Is that a legitimate danger?

Amazing feet-feat! UltraRunner runs from Argentina to Alaska

Henry Sanchez the "Barefoot Eco-Runner" started in Patagonia, Argentina June 15th, 2008 and just crossed the US border.  He hopes to reach Alaska Fall of 2012.  He runs to raise awarenes of the devastation he's seen from global warming.  Story here.    If you had the time/resources, what causes would you raise money/awareness through running? 

No shoes... no problem? (not yet)

Mark Sisson was asked:  

<<The Vibram 5 Fingers look great for exercise but not very practical for daily use and I’m wondering if there are any decent shoes available.

The Vivo shoes are the most interesting I’ve been able to spot so far (but haven’t tried them yet).

Many thanks, Scott>>   His answer here

Head for the white lines!

When running, especially barefoot, surface color, texture and thermal properties of the surfaces are crucial to consider. For example, a newly painted white line on asphalt will absorb about 80% less heat.


An outside temperature of 70F, a white line will get to about 85F and the blacktop to 170F from solar radiation. (Obviously the white line will absorb heat from the road as well.) On a 100 degree day this would be approximately 115F and 200F respectively. Head for the white lines like a hollywood movie producer!
More here

Haha, Great Barefoot Dialogue - have you had this very conversation?

I love these text to videos.  This one is narrated by 'barefoot steve' - he has broken free from the matrix.  His discussion with a coworker is good.  I think we've had these discussions before.

Google Search trends on 'Barefoot Running'

The Paleo diet, a diet based on the food and habits of Paleolithic man

The Paleo diet, a diet based on the food and habits of Paleolithic man, promises to give you great health and a perfect physique. Can you improve yourself by copying a caveman? Or will you just end up in a Geico commercial?  Article here

"Why go to minimal shoes" by Unshoes

Good description of why to go minimal by our friends at Unshoes HERE.

Is this new 'Fad' in running shoes actually good for you?

Dr. Bruce Wilk thinks the 'zero-support' will encourage injuries. Another example of how people who "don't get it" don't get it. (The reporter at the end is really funny- she's "scared" of them!)

Today's BareFoot KenBob'ism

On the subject of wearing minimalist shoes: "It's like switching from boxing gloves to Gardener's gloves, now you can play the piano but you can't play Beethoven"

Running in the heat

These high temperatures affect comfort, safety and speed.  Instead of  just reading humidity and guessing how it will feel to run outside, record the dew point (in degrees F) and the current temperature (in degrees F) and add them together.

This will give you an idea of whether your run/race will suck or not:

Temp+dewpoint of 90-100 is probably ideal, but anything below 130 is pretty much OK to go for the fast time…maybe 120 for longer distances…say 1/2 marathon or above. Between 130-150 will see a gradual slowdown in pace, and if it’s above 150, forget pace altogether and just focus on finishing.