This past week saw 2 barefoot runs.
Like nearly all my barefoot runs, these were included in longer runs (so I usually end up carrying my shoes looking silly).
For those who need convincing that running shoes can have detrimental effects on running action, I’d suggest trying the following short road run. Run for one mile with shoes on, stop and take them off, then (if the surface allows), run a mile — or even half a mile — barefoot. then put the shoes back on, run, and pay attention to the way the feet feel as they land on the ground. For me, stepping back into shoes and running feels like running with huge sponges on the feet. There seems a distinct lack of control on foot plant as the shoes cushion the impact; it is amazingly noticeable straight after running barefoot. The feet seem to tilt and roll to a worrying degree; heaven knows what is happening in the ankle, knee and hip joints when all this squirming about is going on.
Try it.
Total weekly miles: 48.2
Barefoot: 3.7
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