Article by Jonathan Hammond
In my first year of running, I ran in a pair of running trainers recommended by a running shop. I ran as a heavy heel striker but this led to me getting an ITB and tib post injury (which I’m told are related injuries) some 10 months later and the subsequent need for an orthotic in my mild over-pronating left foot. Since then, I’ve been on a quest to find a running style and running trainers that minimise injury and work best with the natural biomechanical movement of my feet.
This time last year, my running coach suggested that I try forefoot running. Since then I’ve ran injury free but I’ve still not found a pair of running trainers that really work for me over longer distances.
The Newtons and Brooks Launch have come closest for my LSD (long steady distance) runs but they still don’t allow my feet to move as freely as I would ideally like them to. For speedwork, intervals and track, I’ve found the Brooks T6 racers and the Saucony Fastwitch 3’s work brilliantly as I can really ‘feel’ the ground and they allow my feet to flex naturally with the shoe. But, on the longer runs, they don’t quite give me what I need.
Time and time again I’ve come across people who advocate barefoot running – some meaning that they literally run barefoot and others meaning that they wear barefoot running shoes such as the Vibram® FiveFingers® or the Nike Free.
I wanted to find out more about barefoot running and barefoot running footwear. My first port of call was finding out about barefoot running and as you can imagine there’s a whole barefoot walking and running community. Check out Tim the barefoot runner’s website and see his video below where he runs a 5K race barefoot!
I quickly realised that actual barefoot running on tarmac roads and gritty paths was probably not for me. Running barefoot on sandy beaches will probably be as far as I go with no footwear whatsoever.
But, when it comes to barefoot running shoes, I want to find out what’s on the market and what people think of their barefoot running shoes. Can I race in them? Can I run a 10K or half marathon in them? Would people recommend them for the 10K leg of a Triathlon? What are they like off-road… etc.
If you have a pair of barefoot running shoes I’d love to hear what you think of them.
I’m going to see if I can borrow a pair of Vibram FiveFingers to test them out. They look like something spiderman would wear but many people swear by them.
10 RESOURCES FOR BAREFOOT RUNNING
You may be interested in the following blogs and videos that I’ve come across on barefoot running and barefoot running footwear. If you know of any other great barefoot footwear running blogs and sites out there, please let me know.
2. www.madetorun.com Vibram FiveFinger product review
3. http://barefootrunningshoes.org/
6. www.wired.com vibram blog review.
7. TIM ‘THE BAREFOOT RUNNER’ VIDEO
8. NIKE NAKED RUNNING CAMP
9. NIKE FREE VIDEO
10. CHRISTOPHER McDOUGALL: BORN TO RUN
