How many others have competed in triathlons, marathons, etc ?

[MililaniBuckeye]

What exactly is "efficient" running?

You lose a lot of power transfer when wearing padded shoes. When you're barefoot, or near-barefoot, you get more efficient power transfer of your stride to the surface. Also, running in even the lightest of running shoes will put more of a toll on you on long runs than running in bare feet. In a nutshell, you get more out of each stride running barefoot.

 

[Thump]

You lose a lot of power transfer when wearing padded shoes. When you're barefoot, or near-barefoot, you get more efficient power transfer of your stride to the surface. Also, running in even the lightest of running shoes will put more of a toll on you on long runs than running in bare feet. In a nutshell, you get more out of each stride running barefoot.

That makes sense to me but I guess my question is why steeplechasers and people who extended distances on non-asphalt surfaces have not been doing this for years?

 

[muffler dragon]

That makes sense to me but I guess my question is why steeplechasers and people who extended distances on non-asphalt surfaces have not been doing this for years?

If I'm not mistaken, many Africans have run, competitively, barefoot for years.

 

[MolGenBuckeye]

If I'm not mistaken, many Africans have run, competitively, barefoot for years.

True, but you still don't see the elite African runners going barefoot in marathons.

You will definitely lose some energy on impact when wearing shoes, but I would still question how much energy transfer really comes into play with modern running shoes. Until I reach a point where a few seconds matter over the course of a marathon, I'll probably stick with the padding. :)

 

[Steve19]

True, but you still don't see the elite African runners going barefoot in marathons.

You will definitely lose some energy on impact when wearing shoes, but I would still question how much energy transfer really comes into play with modern running shoes. Until I reach a point where a few seconds matter over the course of a marathon, I'll probably stick with the padding. :)

**Ahem**

I wouldn't run without proper shoes. Good ones. But, I can tell you that plenty of African runners run half and full marathons without shoes. Not a large proportion, but not one or two in a race either.

 

[Steve19]

You lose a lot of power transfer when wearing padded shoes. When you're barefoot, or near-barefoot, you get more efficient power transfer of your stride to the surface. Also, running in even the lightest of running shoes will put more of a toll on you on long runs than running in bare feet. In a nutshell, you get more out of each stride running barefoot.

So, what you're saying is that skin is better than a rubber b barrier?

 

[muffler dragon]

You will definitely lose some energy on impact when wearing shoes, but I would still question how much energy transfer really comes into play with modern running shoes. Until I reach a point where a few seconds matter over the course of a marathon, I'll probably stick with the padding. :)

It's definitely a matter of personal preference. For me, I've no intention of middle to long distance running. Instead I'm looking at sprinting on natural surfaces. Thus, it's not really an issue.

 

[MolGenBuckeye]

I wouldn't run without proper shoes. Good ones. But, I can tell you that plenty of African runners run half and full marathons without shoes. Not a large proportion, but not one or two in a race either.

Yeah, I should have known I'd get called out on that. :p Yes, some do go barefoot, and some are obviously very good at it. I was meaning more that if modern sports science said there was a compelling reason to go barefoot, the guys who do this for a living wouldn't be wearing shoes, regardless of culture or means.

It's definitely a matter of personal preference. For me, I've no intention of middle to long distance running. Instead I'm looking at sprinting on natural surfaces. Thus, it's not really an issue.

Right, that wasn't directed at you at all. If they work for you, it's all good. It's frustrated me to see friends suffer setbacks by trying out Newtons/Vibrams/whatever's new and get hurt, so I'm just a skeptic.

 

[xcrunner]

Yeah, I should have known I'd get called out on that. :p Yes, some do go barefoot, and some are obviously very good at it. I was meaning more that if modern sports science said there was a compelling reason to go barefoot, the guys who do this for a living wouldn't be wearing shoes, regardless of culture or means.



Right, that wasn't directed at you at all. If they work for you, it's all good. It's frustrated me to see friends suffer setbacks by trying out Newtons/Vibrams/whatever's new and get hurt, so I'm just a skeptic.

You would be surprised at how inadequate modern sports science is in a lot of areas.

For one, everyone is drastically different. What may be very helpful to some people may be very harmful for others. I happen to train exclusively in flats -- and when I'm back at home in Gainesville, I run barefoot in the grass a good amount (in Chicago -- not so much, although maybe I could get the Vibrams...). I think this is very healthy for me, and likely to keep me injury-free when compared to back when I ran in trainers. Part of this is just personal, anecdotal experience -- I got injured a lot when I ran in trainers, made the switch (slowly and carefully) and have been relatively injury-free since. Not scientific by any means, but show me a scientific study that demonstrates that your $90 Nike trainers or your Brooks Beast prevents injury -- you can't. You mostly have to go by personal feel.

Also, going by what the professionals do is probably unwise for another reason -- changing the way you run is dangerous (especially for the pros, who are already stressing their bodies as much as possibly without getting injured). If someone has been running barefoot for their entire life, even if running with shoes might have been wiser, they may not want to risk the change, for (justified) fear that it will injure them. Similarly with the reverse case. Hence, whatever anyone does, I would strongly recommend they make the change slowly.

This isn't as big of a deal when it comes to short distances, like md is talking about, but I'm sure it applies at least somewhat.

Also, and this is more of a response to Thump, but like Mili said, people run for all sorts of reasons. I run competitively but I also enjoy running in flats or barefoot much more than in trainers, because I like to actually feel the surface beneath my feet! I personally think that's part of the joy of running. Many others may disagree with me, and that's obviously fine.


Anyway -- md, hope your experience goes well. I think you'll find it feels way better, but like I said, be wary of doing too much too soon.

 

[muffler dragon]

and when I'm back at home in Gainesville, I run barefoot in the grass a good amount

Do the mullet and jorts come separately? :p

I also enjoy running in flats or barefoot much more than in trainers, because I like to actually feel the surface beneath my feet! I personally think that's part of the joy of running. Many others may disagree with me, and that's obviously fine.

This "aesthetic" is one of the main reasons I really wanted to do this. I have heard that the tactile response is really amazing. I look forward to it.

Anyway -- md, hope your experience goes well. I think you'll find it feels way better, but like I said, be wary of doing too much too soon.

Gratzi. I understand what you're saying, and I intend on taking it slow. FWIW, I have been actively exercising since October, and have made sure to include my legs both in strength and stretching. I feel like I finally have a good enough base to push it without injury. Now, I just have to wait for the weather to break nice.

 

[AKAK]

**Ahem**

**Ahem, Ahem**

 

[MolGenBuckeye]

For one, everyone is drastically different. What may be very helpful to some people may be very harmful for others.

Totally agreed. I don't mean to come across as "no one should ever wear these", I just see too much "There's something new, it HAS TO be right for me!" among my friends. :)

Also, going by what the professionals do is probably unwise for another reason -- changing the way you run is dangerous (especially for the pros, who are already stressing their bodies as much as possibly without getting injured). If someone has been running barefoot for their entire life, even if running with shoes might have been wiser, they may not want to risk the change, for (justified) fear that it will injure them. Similarly with the reverse case. Hence, whatever anyone does, I would strongly recommend they make the change slowly.

Good point, and for someone earning their living by running, they're not likely to want to take time off to make that transition.

 

[Folanator]

Changing your gate is STUPID IMO. You'll end up getting hurt. It's the same issue with Newtons (becoming a forefoot striker). The people that use them get hurt because their knees and hips are getting pounded differently.

Run the way you are designed to run. What is natural.

 

[bkochmc]

**Ahem, Ahem**

That Zola Budd, always cutting off runners in the Olympics and [Mark May]. Just goes to show you barefoot runners are bad people.

-- and when I'm back at home in Gainesville

I knew there was something wrong with you...

My quick thoughts on the Vibrams... I'm on the same page as MolGen, I'm skeptical of the minimalist running fad/experience but if it works for you and keeps you mostly injury-free and exercising more power to you. As for me I'll continue to wear my Brooks (the first pair I've owned and LOVE them) while pounding the pavement and trails.

 

[xcrunner]

I knew there was something wrong with you...

Do the mullet and jorts come separately?

Hey - give me some credit - there's a reason I went to school all the way in Chicago...