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View Full Version : Born to run barefoot? NYTimes, Tara Parker-Pope



John B
06-08-2011, 12:22
I've come to expect top-notch columns from her and she never disappoints. A good short article with numerous links on the subject of barefoot running:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/are-we-built-to-run-barefoot/

Pedaling Fool
06-08-2011, 19:07
That article gets my stamp of approval:)

fiddlehead
06-08-2011, 20:35
Good article IMO.
I have switched to a very lightweight running shoe that is almost a slipper but has more of a sole to protect from broken glass and pebbles.
I think I still land mostly on my heel but, have not had the knee problems that usually come this time of year (I run a marathon or half-marathon every June and train harder as it gets closer to the race)
The race is in 3 days.

So, I do believe there are some benefits to the barefoot running technique.

Do they outweigh the more traditional running shoe technique?
I believe it is like the hiking world transition that was started around 1995 with many switching to running shoes.
Now, the majority use them and most swear by them.
No need to feed Nike and those who feel they need to design a better (read more expensive) shoe.
I do worry about kicking rocks when on trails and possibly breaking a toe though.