Why Barefoot?

Why run barefoot? For two basic reasons:

• To prevent the common chronic injuries associated with running
• To run faster

So why would running barefoot prevent injuries? Aren’t running shoes designed to do protect our feet?

There is a growing amount of evidence that suggests that the proper way to run is with a forefoot foot strike rather than a heel-toe foot strike. Running barefoot is the best way to run with the proper form because you almost can’t strike heel first while barefoot because it’s just too painful.

I will be adding links and information on this page as I learn more about the science and practice of barefoot running. For now, here are a few online resources to learn more about barefoot running.

Barefoot Running Articles

• Longevity: The Men Who Live Forever (Men’s Health) - this is the article that started my interest in barefoot running several years ago.
• The Running Man, Revisited (SEEDMAGAZINE.COM)
• Humanity of the long-distance runner (Science Blog) - great article describing the theory and evidence that humans evolved from their ape-like ancestors because they needed to hunt (using persistence hunting) or scavage animal carcasses.
• You Walk Wrong (New York Magazine)
• Run Softly, Naturally (Running Times)
• The painful truth about trainers: Are running shoes a waste of money?
• ‘No evidence’ on running shoe safety

Barefoot Running Groups

• Minimalist Runner (Google Group)
• Running Barefoot (Yahoo! Group)