Sunday, March 21, 2010

Barefoot Running

I read a fascinating book recently called "Born to Run". The storyline is about these native Mexican runners called the Tarahumara who run amazing distances (50, 80, 100 mile races for days at a time) well into their 70s and 80s without many of the problems/injuries runners in America experience. They do this without the "benefit" of modern running shoes or anything other than a sole of leather or tire rubber for shoes.

So I thought I'd give it a try (the running without modern running shoes, not the 100 mile races). I actually tried barefoot running first, and loved it. I could feel the ground, my stride changed and I didn't have the big impact from leading with my heel (very painful doing that barefoot), and I could actually feel the ground. Unfortunately I was abrading off the bottoms of my feet faster than my calluses were growing.

Enter www.invisibleshoe.com. I stumbled onto this website where they sell Vibram (sole material for shoes) and nylon with Do-It-Yourself videos on how to make modern running sandals. I figured I could make those myself and went ahead and did so. It has been awesome. Same feeling as going barefoot, without the abrasions that were such a problem.
I get a bunch of funny looks from people when I wear them, but honestly they are so much fun to run in and it feels really fun to run again.

5 comments:

burke said...

nice feet!

why don't you post some video of you running in those primeval shoes.

Brock said...

Maybe I will Burke...Maybe I will.

Elaine said...

Good for you, Brock. Also, I am glad you let us know about your blog spot. These entries are intereting to me.

emnabe said...

So what is the protocol on these new high tech blog dealios. I mean can I give you two enthusiastic thumbs up or perhaps a scathing rebuke (depending on what I think about picture of your feet for example)? I have seen people post reviews for business on the world-wide internet web when I was on there on time. Is this similar? By the way, I like the sandals, very minimalist. I'm thinking of trying the running thing soon. I like the concept about avoiding injuries when running and the lower impact barefoot running has. But then I thought, if I'm trying to lessen impact, how about not running at all. They did invent the wheel a while back. Maybe I should ride instead of run. Does it say anything in that book about why the Mexican indians don't ride bikes?

The MontaƱo’s said...

Yeah, it think I as a fellow runner would look twice at your feet as you flew by, but hey, if it makes running fun again, then JUST DO IT!