barefoot running

[mustang_wife]

ahhh...this would have been very useful information to the cast of Baywatch...that's probably just another thing that's all screwed up with David Hasselhoff.

 

[raptor10]

just a little FYI......running in soft sand barefoot is one of the worst things you can do for your feet--joint wise. your foot works like a set of tumblers (think combination lock) that fall into a certain position, each time your foot impacts--heel to toe off, when you run. change any of the angles that are normally moved through--IE running on uneven and soft surfaces, and sh*t doesnt line up correctly. then the rest of the joints that usually line up don't. needless to say, you quickly wear our your connective tissues and cartilage vice running on a flat deck.

Thats not entirely accurate...
http://www.azcentral.com/health/fitness/articles/0907sandrun-CR.html
http://www.posetech.com/training/archives/000198.html

 

[SMILE4BULLETS]

well that's just what an orthopedic surgeon told me after i injured my ankle and asked about running in sand for recovery. i wouldnt run barefoot simply because i wouldnt want to step on that broken Miller Light bottle that John Q. Fratboy tossed on the beach during his spring break '99 extravaganza. but that's just me. i agree that running in sand does have its benefits, but like with everything else, there's also disadvantages.

 

[zuggerat]

barefoot running just doesn't seem so comfortable....maybe on the beach or very nice plush grass. People actually run on asphalt like this? enlighten me...I'm curious.

Hey guys, it's been a while since I posted, hope all is well on the forum.

I run barefoot 3 to 4 times a week, however this is on a beach with fairly packed sand. It is great for strengthening the sole of your foot as well as developing the calf muscles. Although, you must be careful because it is very easy to over work the foot and develop plantar fasciitis as posted earlier. This is where the muscle lining the sole of the foot begins to tear way from the foot, very painful. Regardless, with the right amount of conditioning it can be very beneficial. Start extremely slowly! :icon_smil

 

[fusu]

i run XC and track for an ok college program. rule of thumb is that just doing a few 100m strides barefoot on nice grass (i.e. football field or something) is about all you need. helps a ton in the long term.

i've also used the Nike Free's for about 6 years now (i even demo'ed them while running prep in portland or) and i think they're great so long as you only do about 20 percent of your volume in them and even then only on soft surface.

in any case running without shoes might make you faster but you'd be better off just uping your miles. elite runners go barefoot because they're already doing 90-100 miles a week and cant do much more. I do barefoot 100m sprints while in season (70-80miles a week).