Bridging the Gap Between Barefoot Runners and Podiatrists

Over the last few days, I’ve been engaging in a discussion on the Podiatry Arena, a forum for podiatrists and other health care professionals. I’ve been a lurker there for quite some time, but finally decided to post after a member took one of my posts out of context. After trading some barbs, we seem to have gotten to a point where we may be able to discuss some issues surrounding barefoot and minimalist running.

I’m excited Read More...

Shades of Gray Starfish: How Barefoot Runners Need to Change

I’m fond of the “starfish analogy.” You know, the one where a man is walking down a beach and stumbles upon a little boy is frantically running up and down a beach tossing starfish that washed ashore back into the surf. The man asks the boy what he’s doing, and he responds “I’m saving their lives.’ The man chuckles, “But there are thousands washed upon the beach. You can’t possibly save them all.” The boy looks down at Read More...

Is Barefoot and Minimalist Running Supported by Research?

Is barefoot and minimalist shoe running supported by empirical evidence? In other words, do we have science on our side? This is a question that springs up quite often. Barefoot running skeptics ask the question. The barefoot-curious ask the question. Even some of us that have been doing this for awhile ask the question.

The answer is… sort of.

The holy grail of research would be some sort of large, representative-sampled double-blind longitudinal experiment that compared Read More...

What’s the Deal with “Earthing?”

Earthing, or what is sometimes called “grounding”, is the idea that humans can benefit from being in electrical contact with the ground. The idea takes various forms, but most are based on the idea that contact with the ground causes free electrons to rush into the body to maintain a adequate supply to optimize various bodily processes such as immune system function, endocrine system function, etc. Earthing is often used as a rationale for walking barefoot or in Read More...

Which Method Should I Use To Learn Better Running Form?

A few days ago, I wrote about the progression of information a runner should use to learn better form. The next question is related:

What method should you use to learn better running form?

There are a ton of methods out there that can teach good form. ALL of the following will help you reach the same goal- better running form. Each method uses different teaching techniques. Some are simple. Some complex. Some use analogies. Read More...

Is This the Worst Parenting Advice Ever?

“Kids should not be running in ‘minimalist footwear’ at all and, as in other shoes, should be wearing brand name running shoes with good motion control, cushioning, etc.”

- David Davidson, D.P.M., president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM), Running Times Magazine, April 2010

Parents: Where does this statement rank as the worst advice you’ve ever heard?

I think you can guess where I’d cast my vote. This ranks right up there Read More...

Learning to Run Barefoot: Where Should You Begin?

So you want to learn about barefoot running, huh? Where should you begin? There are a ton of resources available. In fact, there are so many options people may be paralyzed with indecision. Worse, they may encounter sources that offer conflicting advice.My recommendations are based on effectiveness and cost. I don’t recommend the more expensive options until I exhaust the free options while also considering effectiveness.

Here’s a recommended course of action based on my experience working Read More...

Good Teachers Versus Bad Teachers

After spending 12 years in a high school classroom, I learned some valuable lessons related to the art of teaching. Among the most valuable lessons was the idea that students are sculptures, not paintings.

When painting, the artist slathers paint on a blank canvas to create something that previously did not exist. When sculpting, the artist carefully removes materials to reveal the art that existed within the stone.

Likewise, bad teachers believe it is their job Read More...

Epic Stupid Run Fail: Boulder to Nederland

The Rockies have sufficiently humbled me.

Yesterday, I went on a planned 50ish mile run with Jesse Scott and his friend Ely. We planned to run from Boulder to Nederland, CO using a network of trails that wind through the mountains. Here’s the blow-by-blow of the adventure:

We leave Jesse place at about 7:45 am, run about a mile to meet Ely on the UC Boulder campus. We run a few miles to the trail Read More...

Epic Stupid Runs

Today Jesse Scott and I are embarking on our first stupid run of 2012.  Over the last few years, we’ve developed a tradition of doing ill-advised runs with little preparation or direction.

There was the 68 mile out and back on the Kal-Haven trail in Southwest Michigan.

Then there was the 38 mile road run fueled by Little Debbie snacks and Slushies.

Oh, and we did a winter run on the North Country Trail with Read More...

Leave the Place Better Than It Was When You Arrived: A World-Changing Philosophy

Every once in awhile, I stumble upon simple but profound nuggets of advice that have the potential to change lives. I found one such nugget this last week:

“Leave the place better than it was then you arrived.”

I spent last week traveling around Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas doing a series of clinics for Backwoods outdoor stores. I was traveling with Chad Poole, the Merrell sales rep for that territory. During our time between Read More...

“Run on Your Toes” and Four Other Dumb-Ass Bits of Advice Given to New Barefoot or Minimal Shoe Runners

1. Run on your toes. This may be the most damaging advice I hear. New barefoot or minimalist shoe runners (BFR/MR) are told to “get up on their toes.” This idiotic advice is simply wrong. By not allowing your heels to touch the ground, excessive stress is placed on the Achilles tendon and calf muscles. This stress causes Achilles tendonitis, muscle or tendon tears, plantar fasciitis symptoms, and a host of other problems. If you like like a Read More...

Finally Leaving California: the Pros and Cons

Our three month “avoid winter at all costs” stay in California is coming to an end.  We’re leaving for our first major cross-country excursion of the year on Monday.

I knew we’d like California, but I didn’t expect to like it as much as we have.  Here are some of the things I’ll miss the most… and least:

Pro: Friends.  We’ve had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with friends, which has been Read More...

Becoming a Better Writer: A Worthy Goal for All of Us Shitty Hacks

I needed something new to fill my spare time.  I’m not much for “traditional” hobbies like sewing or cheese-making, so I decided to learn a new skill.  After searching for something interesting, I decided on… writing.

But wait… aren’t I already sort of a writer?

Well, I do a lot of writing here at BRU.  I wrote a book.  I’ve written a few magazine articles.  But I never really considered myself a “writer.”  Pretty much Read More...

Running Coaches That Don’t Teach Running Form Are Not Coaches. They Are Managers.

The coaching of good running form has fallen out of favor for many running coaches, especially at the sub-collegiate level.  Years ago, it was commonplace for a running coach to teach the elements of good form- good posture, quick turnover, etc.  With the proliferation of fitness research, good form fell out of favor.  Coaches instead focused on building speed through increasing Vo2 max, optimizing training runs, diet, periodization, and other familiar concepts.

Unfortunately this move has resulted Read More...

2012 Pineland Farms Trail Running Festival/ Barefoot Runners Society Meetup

The 2012 Pineland Farms Trail Running Festival is shaping up to be the biggest spring barefoot party in the country!  Last year’s event was awesome- two days of running, meeting other barefoot runners, eating great food, listening to great music, and drinking awesome beer!  It’s one of the few events we attended that immediately became a “must-do” event.

As such, Shelly and I will be there this year.  I talked to Erik Boucher, Read More...

Updated Barefoot Running Clinic Schedule

Here’s our latest schedule additions:

April 19th- Facebook chat on Merrell Facebook page, 7pm EST
April 24th- Backwoods Austin, 12921 Hill Country Blvd., Suite D2-145 Austin, TX, 7pm
April 25th- Backwoods Fort Worth, 2727 W. 7th St., Fort Worth, TX, 7pm
April 26th- Backwoods Wichita, 1900 North Rock Rd. Suite 108 Wichita, KS, 7pm
April 27th- Backwoods Oklahoma City, 12325 N. May Ave, Suite 103, Oklahoma City, OK, 7pm
May 20th: Down and Dirty Chicago
May 20th- Uncle Dan’s Outdoor Read More...

Weather and Running: The Boston Marathon Deferment Issue

This year’s Boston marathon experienced high temperatures (low to mid 80s according to reports), which prompted the race directors to offer deferments for next year’s race.  If a runner didn’t want to run in the heat, they could gain entry for the race next year.

I have mixed feelings about the offering of a deferment.

I can see the race directors’ logic.  This move will likely cover their asses.  If someone is injured or dies Read More...

San Juan Trail 50k and the The Dirtiest Party Ever!

Shelly and I had an eventful weekend.  We ran the San Juan Trail 50k with Shacky and Vanessa, then attended the Los Angeles Down and Dirty mud run.  The travel was tough, but both events were awesome!

The 50k was run in the mountains southeast of Los Angeles.  The run was directed by Baz Hawley.  If you ever have the opportunity to run one of his races, do it!  It was a typical low-key Read More...

The Secret to Success: Be Yourself

Before reading this post, read Jesse Scott’s post here:

http://jscott87.blogspot.com/2012/04/ever-changing-blogscape.html

Our world is an interesting place.  the socio-econo-political landscape is changing rapidly.  Some fundamental ideas that guided generations before us no longer apply.

Back in the Dark Ages (as I like to call them), people would train for a good job by doing well in school.  Study hard.  Listen to your teacher.  They would join clubs, run for class officer, and other extracurricular activities Read More...

The Sad State of American Understanding of Science: Intelligent Design in the Science Class

Warning- for those new readers that are wondering why I’m ranting about topics unrelated to barefoot running… I do this sometimes.  I tend to write about anything that happens to capture my interest, then usually somehow try to tie it in to running somehow.  That’s what I’ll be doing here, so stick with me.  After all, we are a fake university and we DO like to talk about science here. 

The state of Tennessee is Read More...

Are Triathletes Deserving of a Bad Reputation?

If you spend enough time around runners, you will probably hear us talking about our triathlete cousins.  And it’s not usually positive.  Shelly and I have a few triathlete friends, and we like to tease them about their chosen recreation.  It’s meant to be good fun, and they understand we’re only joking.  For me, it’s clearly envy as I have about as much swimming ability as a bowling ball.

However, there does seem to be some serious negativity thrown at triathletes Read More...

What’s the Deal With Women and Kids? And a Celebration of Dudes.

I have quite a few female friends that have kids.  I also have quite a few female friends that do not have kids.  I’m endlessly fascinated by the interactions between these two groups.  For whatever reason, this is a polarizing topic.  My friend Trisha posted a link on Facebook to this blog post:

http://hikinghumanist.com/2012/03/06/my-childfree-rules/ (Julie, in regards to the traffic- you’re welcome)

The responses to the link were interesting.  And polarizing.  People on Read More...

Where is the Running Industry Heading: Ten Observations About the Impact of Barefoot

Over the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to experience multiple facets of the running world, including:

Attending and participating in races (mostly marathons and ultras),
Participating in the planing of races,
Attending running festivals,
Holding clinics for the public and retail sales associates,
Participating in strategic discussions with retailers,
Participating in behind-the-scenes shoe fitting training,
Participating in discussions at the manufacturer and distributor level,
Engaging in conversations with tons of barefoot, minimalist, and maximally-shod runners,
A handful of other experiences within the industry.

Based on Read More...