running without "running shoes"

[alexr_rwx]

Every so often, the news makes its way around the blagotubes that going barefoot is really good for you, and you have these really important muscles in your feet, and evolution has crafted a relatively non-injurious way to move around.

And I do have a pair of those crazy barefoot-simulation "Vibram Five-Fingers" shoes, and I've done some running in them off and on, but it usually ends up with me having sore feet and sore toes, and switching back.

But I'm giving it a more earnest try this time. I think my feets can learn to be up to the challenge. My stride does feel better (before my feet get tired), and the whole enterprise results in a lot less pounding on my back and knees, which is a definite bonus. Although I think I'm over my back problems -- I've been doing a lot more core-strengthening recently. You likely noticed my extra-toned abs.

Oh, and I went six miles with the barefoot-shoes tonight, woo!

Comments

[jes5199.livejournal.com]

I'm a big fan of the less-shoe, but

have you ever considered that running many miles at a time is, itself, a strain that the body was not evolved to handle?

[billings.livejournal.com]

There's some modern research out there that says that it might be exactly the opposite case. In particular, our tendon structure, our ability to maintain our field of vision at speed, and our sweat glands are all possible indications that we're adapted towards long-distance running.

And there's also
this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wI-9RJi0Qo&feature=related)

[oniugnip.livejournal.com]

Oh my geez.

Thanks for sharing that.