foot] control systems on the basis of foot type is overly simplistic and poten- tially injurious.” Thus, the latest thinking is that wearing a modern, cushioned, motion- control running shoe is not necessarily the best solution for everyone. Trusting our own body may be a better answer. That’s the mantra of the grandfather of the movement, Ken Bob Saxton, a veteran of 77 barefoot marathons. His stance is clear: “Our own feet are our best running coaches.”
Ted MacDonald, another mentor to many advocates via
BarefootTed.com, agrees, saying, “Barefoot running is about tuning in to your own body’s highly sophisticated set of integrated awareness systems, which communicate through feelings and senses that are being col- lected in real-time as you move.” Critics of barefoot running point out that no conclusive clinical study has yet been done that contrasts injury rates be- tween barefoot and shod runners. While researchers investigate this dynamic, an- ecdotal evidence from barefoot runners continues to support the beneficial nature of the practice.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Joseph Fron- cioni offers a helpful analogy. He likens the use of the modern running shoe to our reliance on baby formula in the mid-20th century. Through clever marketing and the endorsement of the medical community, baby formula manufacturers convinced the American public that their formula was superior to a mother’s natural breast milk. A few decades later, research totally disproved the claim.
Of course, there are some condi- tions under which minimalist shoes can be highly advantageous, such as on rough trails or in extreme temperatures. In these cases, a minimalist shoe that al- lows the body to run in the most natural manner can work well. That generally means flat-soled shoes without a raised heel, but with a wide toe box that allows toes to spread out; these are typically made of lightweight, flexible materials.
Barefoot Tips
For anyone interested in barefoot run- ning, learning about it may be as simple as kicking off your shoes. Most people can successfully make the transition by reacting to the tactile feedback they re-
ceive from the ground or other amena- ble surface. Everyone will benefit from these few basic tips from the experts:
n Keep an upright posture n Take very short, light, quick steps n Land on the ball of the foot, and then gently allow the heel to touch the surface
n Keep knees bent and arms and legs relaxed
n Be patient; start with a quarter-mile and then slowly increase distance
Barefoot running allows individuals to push their limits and reach new running goals. So, try taking your shoes off and have some fun!
Jason Robillard is a barefoot running instructor, founder of Barefoot Running University, co-founder of the Barefoot Runners Society and author of The Barefoot Running Book. He also con- sults for the shoe industry. Watch for news of his family’s cross-county tour this summer at BarefootRunning
University.com and their blog, Robillard
Adventures.com.
natural awakenings June 2011
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