Born to Run March 26, 2010
Posted by David in : Exercise, Health, Sports , trackbackGuest Post By David:
Emily asked me to write a post about my new-found passion. Running barefoot. While I was doing my Family Medicine rotation, I heard someone talking about a book called Born to Run
I’ll be the first to tell you I’ve said the following statement out loud, “Why would anyone want to run a marathon?” This is not the first time I have had to dine on my own speech. I’ve become quite accustomed to the taste of my own words. Anyway, I decided to get the book. I couldn’t put it down. It really spoke to me. Not because I’ve been a lifelong runner, (in fact, I have always hated long distance running) but because I’ve been looking for a way to maintain my health that I would continue to do for the rest of my life. I’m not interested in something I’ll only do for a month or 90 days. I’m interested in a life change that will have lifelong benefits. The best exercise in the world is the one you enjoy doing . . . you will end up continuing to do it. The best exercise is completely useless if it’s not done.
Throughout the book, everything just made sense. After finishing the book, I have discovered an entire “underground” community/movement of barefoot running. The stories are countless and sound very similar. People with chronic running injuries have been finding relief while running. All they had to do was kick off the shoes!
Obviously, there are risks in running barefoot. Stepping on glass, a jagged rock, or a hypodermic needle . . . it could ruin your day. The first thing to remember is to start slow. ”Listen” to your feet. There’s a reason we have so much sensation on the soles of our feet. Many of the muscles in our feet and lower legs have atrophied because they have been rendered useless by our shoes. It’ll take some time to get them back. You’ll feel them getting stronger the more you work them. I’ve only been doing this for about a week, but I have already experienced noticeable benefit. My posture has improved, my lower back stopped hurting, and I feel lighter on my feet.
Check out this video:
I don’t know about you, but I’m a lifelong convert. There are many websites out there that talk about the benefits of barefoot running . . . check them out!
UPDATE
For a little help on the transition from heel striking to “barefoot” running, check out the following page.
Comments»
Ok, I think you’re hilarious, but I am wondering if you are running in those funny shoes that look like feet or completely in bare feet?? I think it would be safer on a treadmill too! And what do they say about people with fallen arches? -or goofy people like me with only ONE fallen arch??…I better go stock up on foot powder…
Cool! My husband just read this book and we have both been talking about barefoot running ever since! I had the same reservations, running barefoot in the country (were we live) might hurt! So these shoes sound awesome! I’m training right now for a marathon so the 5 fingered shoes sound like a perfect option for me!