Barefoot Ultramarathon Or Not?

This upcoming Sunday, I’ll be running the Pineland Farms Trail Running Festival 50 miler. The big decision: Wear shoes or go barefoot?

The case for barefoot:

I’m familiar with the course, and it’s pretty barefoot-friendly.
I’ve covered the distance barefoot before.
The race was voted as the best barefoot event in the US… so I feel compelled to tackle it barefoot.
I have two sizable cuts on my heels from my recent road 25k, and going barefoot would assure the Read More...

Barefoot Running Philosophy: The Current State of the Mind

Every once in awhile, I like to consider my current thoughts, opinions, and observations on all things related to barefoot running. My own barefoot philosophy has changed dramatically since I first ditched my foot coffins back in the day. Here’s my latest thoughts:

On Barefoot Running:

Barefoot running is a great way for many people to learn to run in a more efficient manner. If we recognize our brain has the ability to maximize motions to become as Read More...

What Have You Learned About Barefoot Running?

Since I first took off my shoes and started seriously running barefoot, I’ve learned many lessons. In the beginning, I learned all the typical lessons new BFRs learn- elements of better form, the dangers of too much too soon, etc. Next I learned some of my own limitations as far as where and when I could run barefoot. After that, I started exploring the issue of shoes and barefoot running, which I’m still doing today (hence the recent Read More...

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...

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...