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

evolution?

[rusty42.livejournal.com]

how has evolution responded to our relatively hard modern surfaces? or do you only run on grass? and anyway aren't we just quadrupeds with a couple of hacks to allow us to stand upright?

Re: evolution?

[oniugnip.livejournal.com]

That first question, that's a really good point. We haven't had a lot of natural selection for dealing with running on concrete.

But! See what Bill's saying below -- apparently the current thinking is that our ancestors figured out how to hunt by long-distance jogging.