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.
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.