Running Press

News and articles from Running Training Plan

The Barefoot Running Diaries

Between July 2009 and April 2013 we ran a project here that welcomed runners  to document their experiences of running barefoot.

Twenty six people participated, some wrote only an intro and maybe a post or two, others contributed more detailed reports. One in particular, Soul Man, wrote 74 entries on his journey into running barefoot.

There is no doubt the Christopher McDougall's book, Born to Run, created a huge interest in barefoot running and a major shake-up within the running community, from beginners, to coaches, to shoe manufacturers. Whilst much of the hype has now diminished, the legacy has been a re-evaluation of what it means to run naturally. These posts in this section provide a glimpse into the lives of just a few runners who tried it.

By Leave a Comment

1st August — How to increase plantar fasciitis.

18 Holes of golf wearing golf shoes that I wear very infrequently.

Afterwards, my heel (PF) is very sore.

Easy 4 miles on road in evening in Fila shoes.
I picked these shoes up very cheap (£19), after deciding that I don’t really want to be paying £70+ for running shoes anymore. They are sold as a running shoe but don’t have any anti-pronation control and not a lot of read more

By Leave a Comment

30th July — Barefoot run 2

This time I decide to be a little more controlled. Fortunately I have access to a treadmill and so I thought this would be a good way to ensure I didn’t run any further than I had to once any soreness set in. I planned to run for just a mile and maybe a little more if the feet were ok.

read more

The moment I started running I became aware that my read more

By Leave a Comment

The first barefoot run — 25th July

This was my first run barefoot on a tarmac road.

It’s a country lane with quite a smooth surface, although fairly coarse in places — no loose stones or gravel. The run was just short of 2 miles long, out and back. I’d recommend any new barefooters to run out and back so that they are not forced to complete a circuit on sore feet.

This run was flat to read more

By Leave a Comment

Barefoot Running — Introduction

Why a section on here about running barefoot?

Like many people, I have read Christopher McDougall’s thought-provoking book, Born to Run.

Aside from the fascinating story, the information and ideas contained in the book have been a revelation. Reading this book coincided with taking part in a 10k road race recently. Lining up at the start I was amazed to see read more