Baring It All: The Barefoot Running Trend

[one...two...tree 2,762]

by Susan Rinkunas, RUNNER'S WORLD

Have you seen the alien shoes spotted on celebrities recently? Matthew McConaughey and girlfriend Camila Alves wear them to work out, actor Channing Tatum runs in them, and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George sports them for beach football.

Just what are these funky, rubber glove toe socks? They're Vibram FiveFingers—shoes that are meant to mimic the experience of running without shoes, yet protect your feet from dirt and debris. Why would people want to run without their cushy trainers? Running without shoes can strengthen your feet, ankles, and lower legs and improve balance. Some say modern running shoes are to blame for injuries. And one man wrote an immensely popular book that concluded as much.

Vibram started making the five-toed shoes in 2006, but the trend really picked up steam last year, following the publication of Christopher McDougall's book "Born to Run." The book describes how Mexico's Tarahumara Indians have become some of the greatest long-distance runners in the world despite running barefoot or in sandals fashioned from tire rubber. McDougall chronicles an ultramarathon race in Mexico's Copper Canyons attended by a group of Americans including "Barefoot Ted" McDonald, who either ran sans shoes or in FiveFingers, in case of sharp rocks. The author argues that we'd be better off without the souped-up shoes marketed to us by giants like Nike and Adidas, which he says have done nothing to prevent injuries. The book made "The New York Times" bestseller list, and now TMZ is photographing celebrities in their very own lizard shoes.

According to CNN, the FiveFingers have become so popular that the company is having a hard time keeping them in stock—and stopping counterfeiters from selling knock-offs online.

Some barefoot devotees simply like the sensation of feeling the surface they're running on while others swear up and down that ditching traditional running shoes has helped them prevent injuries. While there's no scientific evidence to support the latter claim, we do know that running barefoot or in barefoot-style shoes like the FiveFingers or Nike Free changes one's running mechanics. When runners aren't wearing shoes with built-up soles, they tend to land in the middle or toward the front of their feet rather than on their heel and researchers believe that such midfoot or forefoot striking results in less impact on the body. But as Susan Paul, M.S., exercise physiologist and program director for the Orlando Track Shack Foundation says, "To date, there are no studies indicating that running shoes contribute to injury or, conversely, that barefoot running reduces injury or makes you run faster."

If you're thinking about shedding your shoes, consider these guidelines:

1. Barefoot training is not for people who are just starting to run or returning from a long layoff—it's something to slowly incorporate into an existing running regimen.
2. If you have persistent or serious foot problems, consult your podiatrist first.
3. Ease in slowly. Paul advises starting with a few minutes on a flat, relatively forgiving surface once a week. Grassy fields, smooth roads, and soft trails qualify. Running on sand might be tempting, but barefooting newbies should stick to wet sand at first as the unstable soft stuff puts a lot of torque on your joints and is much harder to run on.
4. Listen to your body. "Barefoot Ken Bob" Saxton, founder of runningbarefoot.org and finisher of more than 70 barefoot marathons, says, "Luckily, your feet are sensitive, which is a good thing. Listen to them and they'll keep you from doing something stupid."

Has anyone run barefoot or in minimalist shoes like Vibrams? What did you think? If not, would you ever try it? Why or why not?

Susan Rinkunas is an associate editor at Runner's World, a magazine (and website) that informs, advises, and motivates runners of all ages and abilities—and we mean it. Her blog on Yahoo! Shine offers tips on running technique, nutrition and weight loss, shoes and apparel, and balancing fitness and life.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You run barefoot once until you hit a ring pull, nail or a dog #######. Then you don't do it again.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

You run barefoot once until you hit a ring pull, nail or a dog #######. Then you don't do it again.

Maybe just do it on a well maintained track.

[Peikko 1,575]

No method is magic, well, except training and hard work. A good runner can run either barefoot or in flaming running shoes, and a ####### runner will be ####### either way.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Maybe just do it on a well maintained track.

I wouldn't run on a track barefoot. Grass or sand, but you hit something you're going to know about it.

[Anh map 2,098]

I heard an interesting interview with Chris McDougall about this subject on WNPR in Connecticut last week. http://www.yourpublicmedia.org/node/4812

Edited August 19, 2010 by Anh map

[Nagishkaw 510]

Reminds me of Zola Budd.

[Danno 1,228]

We had a local guy who was running barefoot over a long distance for some charity, last I heard he was bitten by a snake and had to postpone part of his run.

This seems like a stupid Idea, I challenge anyone to run a 1/4 mile on hard surface barefooted... and see how cool it is.

Americans love Gimmicks.

[slim 1,530]

I challenge anyone to run a 1/4 mile on hard surface barefooted... and see how cool it is.

My cousin used to always run through the hood with bare feet on. Of course, she wasn't very cool though.

[HAL 9000 96]

Our species spent millions of years running around on bare feet. The ability to do so, or with these 'shoes' is there.

My cousin's wife is a podiatrist and he runs barefoot too. I wonder why.

[Peikko 1,575]

Some people just like being barefoot, I don't believe it improves sporting performance though.

Mind you, those that like the feeling of being barefoot aren't really going to be interested in the 'barefoot' shoes, the separate toe compartments hardly addresses that feeling, at least that's how I feel - being someone who pads about barefoot a lot.

[HAL 9000 96]

My source told me its not much of a difference, barefoot or running shoes. The difference according to him is that your muscles and posture will be easier to develop and maintain running in a more natural position.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Maybe just do it on a well maintained track.

I run naked.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

My source told me its not much of a difference, barefoot or running shoes. The difference according to him is that your muscles and posture will be easier to develop and maintain running in a more natural position.

Run barefoot you're on the ball of your foot, with shoes you run heel to toe. It's a more natural movement but it pits added stress on your knees.

[HAL 9000 96]

Run barefoot you're on the ball of your foot, with shoes you run heel to toe. It's a more natural movement but it pits added stress on your knees.

I know you've been running lately-

Make sure you're pronating yourself forward a little bit, to ease most of that stress off your knees. That stress is a result of trying to run further back in gait. Also, one should not be significantly overweight when switching to bare feet as this will obviously add to that pressure on the knees and lower back. Then again, when we ran on the East African plains, most of our ancestors weren't significantly overweight.