What’s your opinion on starting to run with barefoot shoes? I’ve recently started using barefoot shoes due to overpronation and ankle instability (worked very well), so I’ve been a bit hesitant to use narrow cushioned shoes again for running. Any resources you recommend on this topic?
I took up running about a year ago, shortly after starting to wear bearfoot shoes. I only run in barefoot shoes and have had no problems. I suspect it helped that I “learned to run” in barefoot shoes, and that ordinarily one would have to change their stride to fit the shoe better, e.g. by landing mid foot instead of heel striking. I also, as I was a new runner, started off with extremely low volume (~10km a week), which also probably helped build foot strength.
I’m pretty happy overall, though am now tempted to get some proper running shoes for races, as the zero energy return is sad if you care about speed.
If you’re going to switch to barefoot shoes from cushioned shoes, go very slow and take it easy. There are a lot of foot muscles that are weaker by using cushioned shoes regularly. A sudden jump to barefoot shoes can easily lead to injury (I know some people who’ve gotten injured switching to barefoot shoes and immediately just doing their normal runs).
I’d recommend walking in them for a week, then light jogs for a couple weeks, before attempting any serious runs.
Sounds like they’re working well for you, though, so that’s good! If you want to switch back to cushioned shoes, the same slow process is required.
Yeah, I’ve ramped up slowly and did not get injured :) Although, I did not do any long runs in those yet.
Do you think the proper running technique would be different for barefoot shoes? I’ve heard that, with barefoot running, it’s better to go forefoot first to use the arch muscles to absorb the shock, or something like that.
What’s your opinion on starting to run with barefoot shoes? I’ve recently started using barefoot shoes due to overpronation and ankle instability (worked very well), so I’ve been a bit hesitant to use narrow cushioned shoes again for running. Any resources you recommend on this topic?
I took up running about a year ago, shortly after starting to wear bearfoot shoes. I only run in barefoot shoes and have had no problems. I suspect it helped that I “learned to run” in barefoot shoes, and that ordinarily one would have to change their stride to fit the shoe better, e.g. by landing mid foot instead of heel striking. I also, as I was a new runner, started off with extremely low volume (~10km a week), which also probably helped build foot strength.
I’m pretty happy overall, though am now tempted to get some proper running shoes for races, as the zero energy return is sad if you care about speed.
If you’re going to switch to barefoot shoes from cushioned shoes, go very slow and take it easy. There are a lot of foot muscles that are weaker by using cushioned shoes regularly. A sudden jump to barefoot shoes can easily lead to injury (I know some people who’ve gotten injured switching to barefoot shoes and immediately just doing their normal runs).
I’d recommend walking in them for a week, then light jogs for a couple weeks, before attempting any serious runs.
Sounds like they’re working well for you, though, so that’s good! If you want to switch back to cushioned shoes, the same slow process is required.
Yeah, I’ve ramped up slowly and did not get injured :) Although, I did not do any long runs in those yet.
Do you think the proper running technique would be different for barefoot shoes? I’ve heard that, with barefoot running, it’s better to go forefoot first to use the arch muscles to absorb the shock, or something like that.
I’m not the guy to ask. I’ve never tried barefoot shoes.
Your explanation for forefoot striking makes sense to me.