The correct way to run - excellent but long article from NY Times

[achiam]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/ma...o%20run&st=cse

13 page article; Summary:
-Lots of people are now running completely barefoot, and statistically have less injury than people with running shoes.
-They run in a different style - instead of landing on the heel, they land on the front part of the foot so the ankle + leg act as a shock absorber.
-Humans once originally ran this way, and remnant tribes in Kenya and Mexico still run this way, with the Mexican tribe regularly having elderly members running 100 mile distances (4x a marathon distance).

[GoneGuru]

Cardio

[skiiipi]

I actually was recently at a skiboot fitting convention and spoke to an orthopedic surgeon about barefoot running, and it comes down to that not everyone can run this way.

Your foot is designed so that your big toe takes 60% of load upon impact, and the remainder 4 toes takes 10% each. If you have Motron's Nuroma, or a Morton's Toe where you second toe is longer than your big toe, then when you land, ur increasing your chances for a stress fracture drastically.

Secondly, modern shoes are built with a ramp angle, to reduce the range of motion needed in ankle dorsiflexion when walking or running, if an individual has a bony blockage that limits their range of motion in ankle dorsalflexion, then barefoot running isn't for them either.

I work in an industry that I selling these barefoot runners, the important thing to communicate to customers is that if you meet the criteria to use them, you need to start slow and only dedicate 10% of your overall running to this style of running.
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[twitchyzero]

still pissed off i missed out on a pair of gel nimbus 12's for $60USD
last time i check canadian retailers have it for $150+

[SpartanAir]

I actually was recently at a skiboot fitting convention and spoke to an orthopedic surgeon about barefoot running, and it comes down to that not everyone can run this way.

Your foot is designed so that your big toe takes 60% of load upon impact, and the remainder 4 toes takes 10% each. If you have Motron's Nuroma, or a Morton's Toe where you second toe is longer than your big toe, then when you land, ur increasing your chances for a stress fracture drastically.

Secondly, modern shoes are built with a ramp angle, to reduce the range of motion needed in ankle dorsiflexion when walking or running, if an individual has a bony blockage that limits their range of motion in ankle dorsalflexion, then barefoot running isn't for them either.

I work in an industry that I selling these barefoot runners, the important thing to communicate to customers is that if you meet the criteria to use them, you need to start slow and only dedicate 10% of your overall running to this style of running.

This is true. I was just fitted for new custom orthotics, because I am part of the 15-20% of the population with "flat feet"; meaning that the natural angle of my foot is pronated inwards. To compensate, as it is impossible to walk and push off on the outside of one's foot, my arch flattens thus aligning the big toe to push off.

All orthotics do is bring the ground up to meet the arch, thus enabling a foot like mine to push off without flattening. Especially important as I already have neck and back issues from being over a half foot taller than the average man.

I need orthotics. I was told that if I started to barefoot run, I would destroy my knees and spine if a very short period of time.

[skiiipi]

80% of the population overpronates....this is cause by the crappy footwear we wear....skate shoes, shoes that are too big or heels......
Almost everyone will benifit from some sort of footbed...

Barefoot runners should be looked at as a training tool for certain athletes, and should not replace conventional running.

There is a major flaw in the argument that "our ancestor's ran this way". If you think about it, our ancestor survived on the basis of "survival of the fittest", those whom were born with feet that aren't "perfect" probably didn't survive as they weren't able to out run from predetors. Also our ancestors didn't run on concrete either, which is a lot harder on your joints.
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[seakrait]

running on the balls of my feet is how i've always run. mind you, the majority of the running i do is on grass/turf but i've hardly ever landed on my heels. the only time i actually use my heels is when i walk but when i am sprinting, it's always on the balls of my feet. actually trying to run heel-toe hurts as only my knee is able to absorb the impact whereas running on the balls of my feet, i have my knees AND my ankles to absorb the impact. also, i can't quite go as fast heel-toe, nevermind that it starts to hurt my knees after a while.

i'm not saying that i'd run in bare feet but the "conventional" running that you speak of is not a natural running motion for me. i'm usually running in cleats. and when i look for running shoes, i'm always looking for the lightest shoes with good impact protection on the forefoot, i couldn't care less about the heel.

[Chronix]

what if youre flat footed?

[MG1]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

still pissed off i missed out on a pair of gel nimbus 12's for $60USD
last time i check canadian retailers have it for $150+

I still remember that.............

[taylor192]

I love barefoot running, yet its just not practical everywhere. My favourite is being on vacation and running the hard packed sand on the beach when the tide goes out.

The other thing to consider is our ancestors did not run on hard surfaces like pavement or concrete. I know I can tell the difference when I've been running mostly pavement/concrete vs dirt trails, or on crappy treadmills vs newer treadmills that cushion your step.

Thus I think all this non-sense comes down to: do what you like, as long as you're out there running! Running is one of the few athletic things where age, size, sex, ... are on a level playing field. 65yos are capable of running just as well as the average early 20yo.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

still pissed off i missed out on a pair of gel nimbus 12's for $60USD
last time i check canadian retailers have it for $150+

Eastbay.com

They usually clear out season-end/last years models for $60-70.