Comments on: Should We Run Barefoot? http://echifitness.com/blog/2009/10/05/should-we-run-barefoot/ EnerChi Fitness provides health and wellness resources such as ChiRunning®/ ChiWalking® for efficient and injury-free fitness. Fri, 11 May 2012 16:43:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Bill M. http://echifitness.com/blog/2009/10/05/should-we-run-barefoot/comment-page-1/#comment-124 Bill M. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:41:47 +0000 http://echifitness.wordpress.com/?p=543#comment-124 I have run 1x-2x a week barefoot, with Vibram Five Fingers KSO (VFF) or in aquasocks for about 10 months. Of the three I actually liked the $5.00 aquasocks made in China and sold at Target. They were thin, I could wear my usual running socks and my feet spread out on each foot fall. The problem is they only last for 50 or less miles. If the VFF's were not shod exactly right I would get blisters on the outer side of my big toes. I am eyeing the Killkenny flats but haven't gotten to buy them yet. In this 10 month time I have not endured any of the upper leg muscle issues I had with shoes that had thick stiff soles and a built-up heel. When I started I had soreness in my calves but it eventually went away as I got used to the barefoot gait. I did get a foot bruise wearings Vff's last August by stepping funny and stomping my arch on a rock to avoid an unleashed dog. Running barefoot does requires constant attention to the ground surface and everything around you. I think I have benefitted overall from varying my footware from heeled/firm soled to thin flexible sole/no heel. I now worry more about the free-range canines in my neighborhood looking to cause a different kind of leg pain. Maybe I should carry dog biscuits on my runs? I have run 1x-2x a week barefoot, with Vibram Five Fingers KSO (VFF) or in aquasocks for about 10 months. Of the three I actually liked the $5.00 aquasocks made in China and sold at Target. They were thin, I could wear my usual running socks and my feet spread out on each foot fall. The problem is they only last for 50 or less miles. If the VFF’s were not shod exactly right I would get blisters on the outer side of my big toes. I am eyeing the Killkenny flats but haven’t gotten to buy them yet. In this 10 month time I have not endured any of the upper leg muscle issues I had with shoes that had thick stiff soles and a built-up heel. When I started I had soreness in my calves but it eventually went away as I got used to the barefoot gait. I did get a foot bruise wearings Vff’s last August by stepping funny and stomping my arch on a rock to avoid an unleashed dog. Running barefoot does requires constant attention to the ground surface and everything around you. I think I have benefitted overall from varying my footware from heeled/firm soled to thin flexible sole/no heel. I now worry more about the free-range canines in my neighborhood looking to cause a different kind of leg pain. Maybe I should carry dog biscuits on my runs?

]]> By: How Should We Run (Part 2) « EnerChi Fitness Blog http://echifitness.com/blog/2009/10/05/should-we-run-barefoot/comment-page-1/#comment-120 How Should We Run (Part 2) « EnerChi Fitness Blog Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:09:11 +0000 http://echifitness.wordpress.com/?p=543#comment-120 [...] is that 'Should' word again (see post Should We Run Barefoot?).  Personally I am not a fan of this word, but using it again here to make a [...] [...] is that 'Should' word again (see post Should We Run Barefoot?).  Personally I am not a fan of this word, but using it again here to make a [...]

]]> By: How Should We Run? (Part 1) « EnerChi Fitness Blog http://echifitness.com/blog/2009/10/05/should-we-run-barefoot/comment-page-1/#comment-117 How Should We Run? (Part 1) « EnerChi Fitness Blog Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:59:02 +0000 http://echifitness.wordpress.com/?p=543#comment-117 [...] is that 'Should' word again (see post Should We Run Barefoot?).  Personally I am not a fan of this word, but using it again here to make a [...] [...] is that 'Should' word again (see post Should We Run Barefoot?).  Personally I am not a fan of this word, but using it again here to make a [...]

]]> By: Laura http://echifitness.com/blog/2009/10/05/should-we-run-barefoot/comment-page-1/#comment-116 Laura Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:00:51 +0000 http://echifitness.wordpress.com/?p=543#comment-116 I think the choice to run barefoot is a very personal one, and should be made without the ego involved (i.e., if everyone else is doing it then I should too) - we call this nonidentity in the ChiRunning world. :-) I agree with Joe that if you can, you should try it once in while. I prefer to do it at least once a week just because once I get into it, I feel it really helps me relax more and enjoy my run. But I probably won't end up doing it all the time, but who knows? I wear Vibram 5Fs but they aren't for everyone. If you have a wonky toe, or just something not in the "norm", they won't fit as well. I had to stretch the second toe on mine since I have Morton's toe. There are other options if you can't wear them, like Feelmax (mostly available in Europe) or just plain old aquasox. A barefoot running friend of mine (Barefoot Jon) wears aquasox when snow and ice are on the ground (Vibram 5Fs now has the Flow for that). A little funny story here - he ran a 5K at a local nudist camp run (Bare Buns Fun Run) but was too shy to go all nude so he wore a thigh length Tshirt. It was funny to him to see all these naked people except for their shoes, and he as the opposite - naked feet only! Anyway, nice post! I think the choice to run barefoot is a very personal one, and should be made without the ego involved (i.e., if everyone else is doing it then I should too) – we call this nonidentity in the ChiRunning world. :-) I agree with Joe that if you can, you should try it once in while. I prefer to do it at least once a week just because once I get into it, I feel it really helps me relax more and enjoy my run. But I probably won’t end up doing it all the time, but who knows?

I wear Vibram 5Fs but they aren’t for everyone. If you have a wonky toe, or just something not in the “norm”, they won’t fit as well. I had to stretch the second toe on mine since I have Morton’s toe. There are other options if you can’t wear them, like Feelmax (mostly available in Europe) or just plain old aquasox. A barefoot running friend of mine (Barefoot Jon) wears aquasox when snow and ice are on the ground (Vibram 5Fs now has the Flow for that). A little funny story here – he ran a 5K at a local nudist camp run (Bare Buns Fun Run) but was too shy to go all nude so he wore a thigh length Tshirt. It was funny to him to see all these naked people except for their shoes, and he as the opposite – naked feet only!

Anyway, nice post!

]]> By: Joe http://echifitness.com/blog/2009/10/05/should-we-run-barefoot/comment-page-1/#comment-115 Joe Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:10:47 +0000 http://echifitness.wordpress.com/?p=543#comment-115 Dave Excellent topic. I recall in my road racing days going to the high school track once a week for interval training, and occasionally taking off the running shoes and running bare foot on the football field grass. At first, it felt very strange after all those miles on the roads (in shoes). However, with little concern for safety, I really enjoyed running barefoot several times, focusing on my posture, a neutral mid-foot plant and staying as light as possible on my feet. I would recommend it to all runners. Best Regards Joe Dave Excellent topic. I recall in my road racing days going to the high school track once a week for interval training, and occasionally taking off the running shoes and running bare foot on the football field grass. At first, it felt very strange after all those miles on the roads (in shoes). However, with little concern for safety, I really enjoyed running barefoot several times, focusing on my posture, a neutral mid-foot plant and staying as light as possible on my feet. I would recommend it to all runners. Best Regards Joe

]]> By: echifitness http://echifitness.com/blog/2009/10/05/should-we-run-barefoot/comment-page-1/#comment-114 echifitness Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:00:49 +0000 http://echifitness.wordpress.com/?p=543#comment-114 Greg, Thanks - happy you enjoyed it. I have looked into the VFFs, but they are hard to come by locally with all the publicity lately. I might be able to order over the net, but would really like to fit them on before I purchase. If you know of any local sources, please let me know. Health Through Motion indeed. I learned that one 10 years ago now from Pete Egoscue himself. I would not have been running a few months later without The Egoscue Method, and certainly not running ultras now without posture as a solid foundation for the ChiRunning technique. Thanks again for connecting. Greg,
Thanks – happy you enjoyed it. I have looked into the VFFs, but they are hard to come by locally with all the publicity lately. I might be able to order over the net, but would really like to fit them on before I purchase. If you know of any local sources, please let me know.

Health Through Motion indeed. I learned that one 10 years ago now from Pete Egoscue himself. I would not have been running a few months later without The Egoscue Method, and certainly not running ultras now without posture as a solid foundation for the ChiRunning technique.

Thanks again for connecting.

]]> By: echifitness http://echifitness.com/blog/2009/10/05/should-we-run-barefoot/comment-page-1/#comment-113 echifitness Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:52:19 +0000 http://echifitness.wordpress.com/?p=543#comment-113 Hi Gene, Thanks for the read and the feedback - appreciate it. Agreed on your specific comment. My point there was the perception of danger to bare feet; and the effect on running tense. After re-reading, I agree I only presented the man-made scenario and neglected the natural. I think there are numerous challenges on many levels no matter where you on the scale from over-shoe to no shoe; to what (perceived) degree it exists and how you can train yourself to limit them is up to the individual. Re: Bacteria; I am not sure I will be running barefoot on Manhattan sidewalks anytime soon, although I am sure it would teach me a new level of running 'light'. Balance in all things, with gradual progress in the direction of our goals. Thanks again. Hi Gene,
Thanks for the read and the feedback – appreciate it.

Agreed on your specific comment. My point there was the perception of danger to bare feet; and the effect on running tense. After re-reading, I agree I only presented the man-made scenario and neglected the natural. I think there are numerous challenges on many levels no matter where you on the scale from over-shoe to no shoe; to what (perceived) degree it exists and how you can train yourself to limit them is up to the individual. Re: Bacteria; I am not sure I will be running barefoot on Manhattan sidewalks anytime soon, although I am sure it would teach me a new level of running ‘light’.

Balance in all things, with gradual progress in the direction of our goals.
Thanks again.

]]> By: Greg Heinemann http://echifitness.com/blog/2009/10/05/should-we-run-barefoot/comment-page-1/#comment-112 Greg Heinemann Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:02:24 +0000 http://echifitness.wordpress.com/?p=543#comment-112 Hey Dave, Great post. Have you looked into the Vibram Five Finger shoes as a way of helping yourself work into the bare foot running. They're pretty amazing. Like you said, people need to be proactive about the rest of the body and it's ability to execute function and respond to the new stimulus! Great job my friend! Health through motion! Hey Dave,

Great post. Have you looked into the Vibram Five Finger shoes as a way of helping yourself work into the bare foot running. They’re pretty amazing.
Like you said, people need to be proactive about the rest of the body and it’s ability to execute function and respond to the new stimulus!

Great job my friend! Health through motion!

]]> By: thinnmann http://echifitness.com/blog/2009/10/05/should-we-run-barefoot/comment-page-1/#comment-111 thinnmann Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:04:32 +0000 http://echifitness.wordpress.com/?p=543#comment-111 David, This is a very well written post. It presents all sides without bias. It provides plenty of additional information for people who are interested. There is only one statement I disagree with, as a part time barefoot runner. It is, "It is dangerous out there. Danger exists on the roads, sidewalks, everywhere; even on the trails and grassy areas you will likely see some form of man-made danger from time to time. Unfortunate, but reality." I disagree because the running shoe itself presents just as much danger, possibly more, in terms of injuries caused, strength lost, and bacteria growing in there. Also, the most damage my feet have ever suffered while running barefoot were not from "man-made danger", but from natural objects: sticks, acorns, roots, bees. David,
This is a very well written post. It presents all sides without bias. It provides plenty of additional information for people who are interested. There is only one statement I disagree with, as a part time barefoot runner. It is, “It is dangerous out there. Danger exists on the roads, sidewalks, everywhere; even on the trails and grassy areas you will likely see some form of man-made danger from time to time. Unfortunate, but reality.” I disagree because the running shoe itself presents just as much danger, possibly more, in terms of injuries caused, strength lost, and bacteria growing in there. Also, the most damage my feet have ever suffered while running barefoot were not from “man-made danger”, but from natural objects: sticks, acorns, roots, bees.

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