RunCast 11 - Running In Pairs/Running Barefoot
Barefoot running has been in the news a lot lately. Today, I talk to Marilee Waters from Chicago about running barefoot. But first, on this Valentines Day, Natalie has prepared a special feature. She is talking about running in pairs.
Feb 19 - 24:
Nike Free
Vibram Five Fingers
Posts
7 comments:
I've been running in Vibrams for about a year now and I've been feeling great! It's not for everyone, but I would suggest everyone at least give it a try.
Hi Boris,
What was the reason you started running in Vibrams? Was it health-related, or you just wanted to give it a try?
Here in Canada it could be a bit too cold to run barefoot in the winter, and I myself am not an indoors runner. Waiting for warmer weather to give it a try.
Thanks
Zoran
I've been wearing Vibrams sense early mid 2007. I own and have owned several different models but I prefer to run in the close top Flow's. I bought them for kitesurfing to protect my feet from the rocks, and then tried them for running about a year later.
I suffered a bout Achilles tendonitis after running the Mississauga marathon last spring and began to switch from "running shoes" to racing flats, minimalist shoes, vibrams and barefoot over time. So far so good, but I still got lots of work to do in order to be able to do some serious mileage barefoot.
A lot of people go to Vibrams (or Nike Free) after they suffered running-related injuries. I wonder if switching to it while healthy could prevent injuries?
I ran Mississauga 2009 too. Well, good luck with your Vibrams. There are people who'll be running Boston this year in them.
Zoran
Zoran,
There is little question in my mind that switching while healthy (in a progressive manner, of course) can be a smart move for injury prevention in the long run.
For one, the idea of footwear controlling foot motion (pronation/supination) and reducing stress is largely ballyhoo. Recent research points out that the body uses the ground reaction forces to determine activation patterns of muscles to control gait.
Furthemore, you can look at regular trainers as shoes that push your body into an anterior weightshift leading to interference in proper movement both above and below the chain.
Finally, Sherrington's concept of neural irradiation is reduced when the foot isn't allowed an interface with the ground rightly, so more important muscles of propulsion (both for stability and for locomotion) are downregluated in strength and control, which is not a good thing.
Best,
Carson Boddicker
Thank you Carson,
The more I read about it, the more I'm convinced running barefoot is the way to go. The only problem for me is the weather. I'm a completely outdoors runner and winters in Canada make it for a very cold running surface for about 5 months in a year.
Marilee, who spoke to me in the podcast interview, says that Nike Free could provide enough protection for feet in the winter. Still, as I'm also training for Boston right now, I'll wait until spring to give it a try. I agree with Boris that, though it may not be for everyone, we should all at least try running barefoot. I will look for the runners in Vibrams in Boston.
Zoran
Zoran,
Good idea. The frees can work, but are overpriced in my mind. A minimal racing flat with a flexible, yet firm midsole can do just the same (except freedom of the toes offered by vibrams).
Best,
Carson Boddicker
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