Barefoot Chronicles: How to Run Barefoot: A guide to losing the shoes

Description

The contributors to the Runner's World Barefoot Forum had a lengthy discussion about a guide to barefoot running designed for the new barefoot runner. Yesterday, while sitting in the doctor's office waiting room, I wrote a guide. It is posted on my website here . I am in the process of refining it based on input from my friends at Runner's World. Here is what amounts to the second draft:

How Do I Start Barefoot Running?

This guide will help you transition to barefoot running. This plan is universal; it is designed to be used by either novice runners or runners with years of experience. If you are a novice runner, simply begin the program as written. If you are currently training, you may continue your current mileage. Simply add the workouts in this program to your current running schedule. The idea is to replace some of your "shod' mileage with the barefoot mileage. Some people have done this by simply adding the barefoot mileage at the beginning or end of their already-scheduled runs. I would recommend doing this at the beginning of a run so you will not be as fatigued. Once you reach Stage 5, you may decide to continue replacing barefoot mileage with your shod mileage until your running is completely barefoot, or you may decide to continue both shod and barefoot running. Both options should help reduce injuries.

Form

Form may vary greatly. There is no one "right" method. However, there are some general guidelines that seem to be fairly universal among barefoot runners. The most important is the way the foot impacts the ground. When wearing modern running shoes, most runners use a heel strike. The heel of their foot is the first thing that strikes the ground, and they continue to roll their feet ...

Original URL

http://barefootjason.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-run-barefoot-guide-to-losing.html

http://barefootjason.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-run-barefoot-guide-to-losing.html