Michael Sandler, Barefoot Runner with SPEED!

[Vikiloulou1991uk]

bt he as lot of dead skin .

[ballalint]

yay for boulder!

[ilbuoncesco]

guys I like to run with minimal shoes, but the point is: shoes are not that bad!! ok we were born naked, but we use clothes!! We sleep on a bed and not on the floor. We cook food, etc.

I think the problem with shoes is just that people with really not much training run a lot too quickly and they get easely injured. Yes it is true, we were meant to run barefoot, but not on concrete!!

So run barefoot, but don't say shoes are just bad. Shoes with poor tecnique and poor training are bad!

[williamo1980]

@ilbuoncesco thick overly supportive shoes are what is bad. They create heel striking - which is bad and not good for the body. stiff non-flexible shoes inhibit proper movement and use of the feet.

[mrjohnson2289]

@ilbuoncesco Clothing doesn't inhibit the way our arms, legs, etc., move. Shoes ARE bad because they prevent the foot from moving the way it evolved to move. We cook food to kill off pathogens, something HEALTHY. Sleeping in a soft cushy bed is actually unhealthy and very bad for your back. And our bodies are wonderfully adaptive to stimulus. Doesn't it make more sense to allow the body to adapt to running on flat surfaces than to entomb the foot in a hard case that prevents natural movement?

[kidsdanceplanet]

May just be me, his shorts are a tad too short.

[Trollolol22]

with those small ass strides he cant be going that fast....

[medow006]

My opinion, most of the video he is around 7:00 pace. Perhaps a bit faster or slower at times, but never 5:00 pace.

[TheNaturalRunnerVanc]

He's also doing this with just under an inch of a leg length difference... amazing

[whaaaaateverful]

I miss Boulder.

[sketchyou]

is he Adam Sandlers relative? trolololol... *jokes.

but seriously, this is tough. when you're starting out and getting used to different terrains. i prefer minimalist/barefoot shoes though.. protects the feet from any sharp rocks/stones.

[Sixsal]

Sub titles would help on this one..the wind was a little annoying :)

[Td347]

Running shoes nowadays are too awesome.

[viperdude281]

Whatt??? 7:30 pace at the fastest

[TheOombop]

i tried barefoot sprinting on asphalt and lets just say my feet where f*cked up

[IThinkWereParkedMan0]

@TheOombop I'm an avid sprinter myself. I do all my sprints barefoot on a soccer field. Running on grass feels amazing. You must do it.

[atz123ify]

i run naked! ...with my bikilas

[horacrux]

i think his point is more about being able to run ,healthy,barefoot.more so then just speed.he is running on concrete and has alot of internal rotation.look at that left arm swing.I do think he is just trying to prove a point that you can have speed and run barefoot

[TwisteProductions]

I'm just replying to all the comments in general, but I would read Christopher Macdougal's book Born to Run, very educational!

[AwesomeRants]

Looks more like 6 minute pace.

[viperdude281]

@AwesomeRants It looks fast because his cadence is so high

[cepinilla108]

@viperdude281 it doesn't look fast

[viperdude281]

@cepinilla108 *Faster than it is

[leni80s]

can one run with lowerback disk herniation /L5-S1/.in long term.

[dpw1989]

@leni80 I herniated my l5 s1 three years ago .. and running helped with my PT and recovery! get out there.

[Jouwl]

His form implies overusage of the calves - he hardly lifts his feet?

Compare: youtube. com/watch?v=3j9JtpSbPNg&featur­e=related

[AcustizSlave]

Left leg is more engaged... In the fact very typical to most people

[davidfreake]

I have much respect for what he does but sorry, he is not running at 5minute pace judging by his turnover...........maybe 7 minute pace, if he was running at 5 minute pace he would have a wider stride angel with a faster turnover. He does a couple surges that are a bit quicker but nothing at 5minute pace. Good guy tho

[secteriat]

all these barefoot runners are idiots. if we were meant to run barefoot we would have been born without shoes.

[Averagebum2]

@secteriat AHAHAHAHHAHAHAH!!!

[SoccerSpot]

@secteriat what a stupid comment. we were born without shoes you idiot. damn you're a moron. i dont remember ever seeing a baby come out of the womb with a pair of nikes on. dipshit...

[secteriat]

@SoccerSpot sarcasm really doesn't come through well on these comments. I run barefoot and you have anger issues. thought my comment was too stupid to be taken seriously.

[Jouwl]

@secteriat - Don't bee too hard on internet persona :-P

[QCSkateMedia]

@secteriat Some people don't pick up sarcasm very well, I thought your comment was brilliant haha.

[RuinOrPeace]

@secteriat LOL love it

[JeMzZ360]

@secteriat oh now i see lol

[seandchoi]

@secteriat Nice! lol

[BornBarefooted1971]

@secteriat Well, what does it make YOU then if you think we were NOT born barefooted? I pity your mother if you truly had your Nikeys on while she delivered you! :-)

[Mrsneosporin47]

@secteriat So, you are the only person born with shoes on, huh? Babies are born naked. No shoes. Think before you say certain things.

[mrjohnson2289]

@Mrsneosporin47 He's being sarcastic friend. Think before you say certain things.

[neosporin47]

@secteriat: thats funny, cause isnt everyone born with a pair of sambas on? i heard that in brazil, babies are born with soccer balls attached to their feet. and i heard that in japan, ninjas are born with claws... oh ya, and i heard that there was a person, who breeded with a cheetah, and the fastest person ever was born. lmao!!!!!!

[Mrsneosporin47]

@neosporin47 Haha! Good one.

[HitTheTrailRunning]

/watch?v=evdDbUrWn1k

[clearlogicify]

Look how tense and rigid he is when running. Good luck to him, but it's crazy and only a matter of time before he has a serious accident or long term damage to his feet. Never mind any sharp objects he will step on.

[jerw10ss]

@clearlogicify Hey bro, humans have eyes.. used to look for stuff. A lot of barefoot runners say that it's second nature to just look all around you. Try running barefoot.. hell even just in your yard.. and pay attention to how your eyes dart back and forth in front of you..

[clearlogicify]

@jerw10ss Humans use tools and wear clothing. We have evolved. If we were supposed to run without shoes we'd still be apes. Must of us have evolved and this is now an unnatural and dangerous way to run. Even if you'd avoid bone/joint damage you wont "see" every possible item on the ground that could cause serious injury. You only need to step on it once. Why don't you try and run on hands and feet too? We "used" to do that too. It would be safer that this.

[Iwishilivedinnarnia]

@clearlogicify I don't wear shoes- when ever I can get away with it- and my feet are happy. I run miles barefoot and feel great. Pansy its ok to step on a piece of glass every now and then- pull it out clean yourself and keep going (its happened to me once in years)

things (humans- our feet) don't evolve in like 40 years- shoes- not the best way to go.

[clearlogicify]

@Iwishilivedinnarnia Well things actually evolve in a lot less than 40 year (MRSA), but not humans. Evolution is a process, not a final result. Recreational running is not exactly something ancient humans practiced so you could say it's all unnatural. If humans had to run it would be away from danger or to close a distance on prey.

Now I'd like to compare you to the hippies that think copper bracelets improve health, it's all in their mind and complete bullshit. But it's not hurting others.

[Iwishilivedinnarnia]

@clearlogicify That is a random comparison... alright- well as long as I'm not hurting others I guess its all good?



[clearlogicify]

@Iwishilivedinnarnia Sure, it's your body. Enjoy it. If you prefer running outdoors barefoot, run all you like. This guy is clearly trying to make money from promoting it and it's obviously bad advice. He's clearly uncomfortable and rigid as hell. We will do long term damage to himself.

[Iwishilivedinnarnia]

@clearlogicify In fairness I'm on the autistic spectrum so I do have sensory issues and not wearing shoes helps me act normal other ways...

I'm glad youre civil and nice to talk to- not acusitory :)

[Iwishilivedinnarnia]

@clearlogicify all true

in fairness it would help that I'm on the autistic spectrum, having sensory issues- not wearing shoes helps me deal with other things... like talking to people

[tadaa11]

@clearlogicify Uhh,what the hell does evolution have to do with it? Barefoot running or running in a vibram shoe has been proven to reduce shock and therefore lessons impact on joints, tendons, and the rest of the body. It also improves strength and efficiency.

"Humans use tools and wear clothing". Do you jump in the pool with your clothes on? What kind of argument is that.

[JoeCnNd]

Good luck with the broken bottles and the other crap you run on. Lol. Has anything serious happened?

[boulderoso]

I haven't met Michael, but I do have his book, which I have found to be very helpful, bare or not. The path in the video goes within 1/2 mile of my house, so I pulled up Google Earth out of curiosity to measure the pace. The pace is ~6:40 for the first mile - impressive, IMO, for a distance runner who is casually running and talking but even more impressive for a guy with a titanium femur and hip who was previously told that he would never run again. Thanks for the inspiration, Michael!

[drone713]

....NOT 5 minute pace. 6:30 at best.

[pauisnow]

boulder, co?

[allstock5]

adapting, calloses help. playing football on the pavement really tears up your feet.

[allstock5]

road variations i think play a major role *lol*

[edktrsk]

@allstock5

Not as much as you might think.

I run along an english country road covered in pedals. It hurts at first but it's amazing how quick your feet react.

[orcres]

@jfleminator actually his stride and movement is not that different from that one of Abebe Bikila in the 1960 Olympics plus I was blessed to actually see Tarahumaras run and their stride it's also not that different short efficient strides

[MrKicks2010]

thing I would hate about running barefoot is stepping into a needle that some junkie left behind... I know the chances are probably slim but in this society u can never be certain.. 

[Individualism101]

@MrKicks2010 use your eyes and don't run in areas where junkies go.

[MrKicks2010]

@Individualism101 thats another thing, I generally look straight ahead when I run...

[MrKicks2010]

this is no way close to 5 min mile lol... maybe 9..

[Atomikbrainfu]

People should really Look into studies and records from people winning marathons, ultrathons, sprints and all other types of foot races BAREFOOT.

[kireki]

hmm reminds me of an ostrich running lol

but yea, thats fast...

[jfleminator]

that's terrible form. He looks like a fuckin' pussy. The fastest runners don't run like this. They have much more leg extension. This whole barefoot running trend used to be interesting from a scientific point of view but now its just a fad. These people don't know what the hell they're doing and they're not getting fast anytime soon.

[Atomikbrainfu]

@jfleminator Read Born To Run... The fastest ultrathon runners in the world do it barefoot with this form. The Kenyans ran fast, barefoot and win Olympic events.

[jfleminator]

@Atomikbrainfu nope you're wrong. This guy takes really short choppy steps, with a limited range of motion. The fastest kenyans bring their foot all the way up to their ass and have more hip flexion. The crucial difference between Kenyans and this guy is that Kenyans train on dirt and grass. You actually do need some cushioning. Maybe not near as much as major shoe companies would have you believe. And the fastest ultramarathon runners, like Scott Jurek, almost always wear shoes.

[MelroseMen]

@jfleminator You dont need to bring your foot to your ass when you're running this slowly.

[VoodooSmash]

i just wanna see his fucking sole

[flamedrag18]

I like my huraches personally, thank you very much.

[theVcam]

are you riding a bike.

[spencer1777]

i like his shorts :D

[BlizterSoup]

that's pretty fast friggin' pace he's got there

[obbe85]

Hehe gotta love the running interview, cant hear crap.. still love it :P

[teddiib3ar]

hey you passed a Stop Sign!!!!!

[ianedwards19]

youre not supposed to barefoot run on concrete/pavement. this is retarded

[koalabear5000]

He's definitely running close to a 5 min mile. It's the short stride that is deceiving, but since his cadence is so high, he's making up a lot of ground. I run in Vibrams and I often see a runner one or two blocks in front of me with running shoes and long strides and think that he/she's flying, but I often catch up with the runner w/o changing my pace.

[ianedwards19]

@koalabear5000 he is going NO WHERE NEAR 5:00 per mile. I'd say he is going 6:45 pace.

[hortonhcci]

@ianedwards19 Agreed--I'm not a runner anymore, but I ran in high school and I can tell you that anyone who can maintain a conversation is NOT going at a 5 minute mile. Fastest I ran was a 4:42 mile, and I was considered pretty fast--not state-champion caliber, but not far off. If this guy claims a 5-minute mile, he's a liar. Note that mincing gait as well--nonsense. Someone should post a video of a real five-minute miler next to this guy.

[TheQuietObserver01]

@ianedwards19 I think 5:00 min per KM pace is what they were trying to get at haha

[ap1234512]

@koalabear5000 actually a short stride would make a runner appear to be moving faster, its a longer stride that makes a runner look like they are moving more slowly and effortlessly. the reason why the runners 2 blocks ahead of u seem to be flying is because there well 2 blocks ahead of u, the further away u are the faster it seems. he is moving nowhere near 5 mins, if he was all those bikers that passed him w/o peddling wouldnt have passed him.and look at how quickly his surrondings move by him

[Harpooooon]

I run a lot in the military. This cat is flying! He'd demolish my mile and half time.

[Escafon]

Well barefootrunning is fun I run barefoot, but 5 min mile is very improbable,  19.3 kilometers per hour, or a 3.06 kilometer. This looks more like between 4.45 /5.20 minute kilometer, faster than my LSD pace, but 19.3 Km/h???

[mortal2k]

@Escafon Looks like 4:30 min/km (7:14/mile) pace. This is the pace I currently run barefoot and hold for 14k. I've started running (shod and barefoot) at the beginning of summer so it's easy to build up. I'm aiming for 3h barefoot marathon like the amazing Julian Romero.

[ad2894]

buggered if you get morton's neuroma though right?

[Dhoska]

at 6:20  how far did the say he ran everyday?

[mortal2k]

@Dhoska Sounded like 20 miles a day. Maybe he's training for ultras :)

[Dhoska]

@mortal2k maby :)

well, running an ultra marathon barefoot is .... ouch ?

[jimmycmartinez]

@Daproblem. Well, duh. I'm saying in general. Idiot.

[bstiill]

His knees are barely lifting...maybe a 9 minute mile at best. Plus he's talking like he's running a 9 minute mile. Hardly fast at all.

[bstiill]

His knees are barely lifting...maybe a 9 minute mile at best. Plus he's talking like he's running a 9 minute mile. Hardly fast at all.

[xxxDAPROBLEMxxx]

@bstiill 9 minute at best? It's probably about 7. And do you think KennyB has trouble talking when he's running 4:20 pace? None.

[robmelnoahzane]

That might be 5 min pace, but it is not 5 min per mile.

[mooseman427]

honeslty, that really is not good running form. his feet barely come of the ground. and he is definitely not going 5 min mile pace. there are better videos of barefoot runners.

[jimmycmartinez]

what if there's glass or other sharp debris? in hawaii along the beaches are Kiawe trees, which are otherwise known as "thorny bastards". The thorns pierce easily through running shoes. Imagine what they would do to barefeet?

[xxxDAPROBLEMxxx]

@jimmycmartinez hey guess what he's not in hawaii. Idiot. Lol

[Jouwl]

Horrible form... you look like you're too afraid of the ground you're running on... pacing like a princess. Look at kenyan runners and do what they do, it's really that simple.

[toby099]

@Jouwl

Kenyans run on softer surfaces you douche! This is the way you have to run on cement. Also, Kenyan runners are increasingly using shoes so their once great form isn't what it used to be.

[Jouwl]

@toby099

I'm quite sure you are mistaken.

... then don't look at shod kenyan runners.

[DavidK1616]

5 min/mile is a 2:11 marathon.

5 min/km is a 8 min/mile pace.

The latter seems more plausible.

[rzitex]

@DavidK1616

an 8 min/mile without any issues is pretty good (when you run a lot) I could never run faster than a 10min/mile for one mile without puking (with shoes) back in high school. One kid that went to my High School had set records, was the fastest kid in the school, but couldn't maintain anything under 6 min/mile for more than 10 miles.

[nikkyo34]

Where on the foot are you landing?

[magicrhymesx]

He's running so fast, yet it looks so easy and it looks like he should be going a lot slower. AWE-SOME!

[Tigaj]

i know this trail! though i've never it near as fast, holy crap.

[shawondemand]

TBH I notice that I can run twice as far running at my max speed if I run on the front of my feet as opposed to heel strikes.

(Eg running until I am exhausted). It's awesome.

[BobaFart1138]

What a great place to run, my god

[Tazwegian]

I have only just started barefoot running but I have been trail running for awhile. I am hoping to combine barefoot and trail running. I know it sounds crazy but let me know if any of you guys have done it before? I will only try it when my feet and body have been conditioned for barefoot running.

[1titans]

@Tazwegian

If you do, and have the cash at hand just to keep your feet safe, the vibram treks are awsome, but they are more expensive than the other models

[MrVoiceofreason123]

@1titans Vibrams will not let you truly learn how to run barefoot however.

[Tazwegian]

@1titans It is probably good advice, but I kind of think those vibrams defeat the purpose. Well, at least my purpose.

I already see a problem with bare foot trail running. I live in Tasmania and we get really wet winters. I am thinking water logged feet is going to be a problem. Might be a spring/summer time activity.

[murerbent]

Good form..

[shashamm]

I'm no expert but I would say this guy is gliding a good 3 minutes OFF 5 min/mile pace. not that it matters, just saying.

[analubalitious]

What a lovely running path,.. my local one is a measly 1.8 miles and is broken by road and sidewalks in several places,.. BAH! I can't go completely barefoot yet, but my VFF's get me close enough. Good on ya!

[AmericanSD]

I love this concept. I am barely starting to run barefoot and realizing that I am getting blisters, which usually disappear with 2 to 3 days. Is that normal or am I doing something wrong here? Can anyone help me?

Thank you in advance.

[Swiddy09]

@AmericanSD yeah it means that you're going too fast. i had the same issue. think of it as your feet can only sustain so much speed when you're running barefoot. it should be a solid 8:30 pace (trust me it's killing me not to go faster, i run a 4:47 mile). but as long as you slowly take your time with the runs, you can actually speed them up after successfully transitioning

[GoatDaddyVersion2]

@Swiddy09 you run a 4:47?! Damn. I only recently myself ran a 5:11, but I was totally exhausted (... and I mean completely) by the end and wanted to hurl -- even running a 5:00 sounds impossible at this point and I know that it gets only exponentially more difficult from here on out. Any tips?

[Swiddy09]

@GoatDaddyVersion2 thanks man and as for breaking 5, it will take a little bit of time. increase your miileage by 5% each week and get in 1-2 speed workouts a week consisting of 400 repeats and another consisting of 600-1000 repeats. the 400s will develop your speed while the longer intervals will strengthen your endurance

[thISxTHplacE]

he must have some ridiculous calluses on his feet. hahahaha

[iSkyttens]

This guy is so fast I could never keep up with him haha.. But im getting better and better ^^

Barefoot ftw

[kokolocomotion1]

this is exactly how I run in my sneakers, balls of the feet first before the heels, and everyone told me I run weird during training. lol

[scaramoucheX]

Gotta tell ya, I've spent the last year running in Vibram Five Fingers, and barefoot, and it's all good - but there is an obstacle, for men: you're gonna feel gay, running like this, it feels effeminate, like yr imitating the way a girl runs...I gotta get over that.

Also, the image thing is weird -if ya got no shopes, how are people gonna know yr a 'real' runner...cos people WILL think yr freaky, I can tell you - especially when you glue fur to the top of yr Vibrams, like I did.

[Tigaj]

@scaramoucheX

sooo true. my friends gave and still give me crap about how i run "like a fairy." but it feels smooth and I move way faster with less effort than I ever did running in shoes. So despite your effeminate form, develop a thick skin, and laugh all the way to the bank as you take of with crazy speed while your friends do their clunky, burly, slow run.

[iSkyttens]

@Tigaj

Maybe you don't have an answer to my question, so if anyone else here knows please answer if you can :)

Will the thick skin you gathered from running barefoot become baby skin when its winter and you don't get to run barefoot anymore?

[LVA4L]

@iSkyttens I know the answer to this one! I walk barefoot outdoors alot. The thickness of your skin CAN become baby skin when it's winter, though you can walk barefoot in winter, I do all the time! :P But it really depends how much you walk barefoot. :)

[iSkyttens]

@LVA4L

Thanks for replying :D Hmm I guess I will have to try and walk barefoot when its winter and/or run aswell :)

Haha has any cops or anyone at all walked up to you when you run/walk barefoot outdoors in winter or any other time of the year asking if you are okay, thinking that you might have been robbed or something else?

[rocketmustarddog]

I switched to running barefoot last year. My shin splints have disappeared, my knees no longer ache, my hips aren't sore, and my back never hurts. I'm a born-again barefooter and recommend it to anyone who experiences the above issues. You will be glad you did!!

[aikirunner]

Great barefoot running form, but I couldn't hear anything the runner was saying. Next time think about doing a voice recording over the video.

[Wi11daThri11]

Yeah, but anyone whose trying to run their fastest mile shouldn't be talking...lol...still it is inspirational!

[georgedwhitney]

I am a 91 year old runner who started at 80 years of age. A shoeless runner when asked me if I had ever tried it. I removed shoes And socks and ran around a 400 meter track twice. It was wonderful. I'll do more of it but where there is a possibility of broken glass, etc. I see disadvantages. George Whitney

[Kadano1]

@georgedwhitney Hey man go for Vibram Fivefingers. they should be about 100$, have no cushioning and thus are similar to running barefoot, but protect your skin from glasssherds etc.

[Macbeth789]

I have ran many sub 5 miles in my life. I know the pace... that is not a 5:00 mile.

[HandiAce]

@Macbeth789

Agreed. Plus it seems like his pace varies a lot throughout the run. Still he manages to go at least 10 mph at some parts which is impressive.  A 7:30 minute mile pace barefoot feels very fast and that's coming from someone who could run 5ks in the low 18 minutes.

[suriya883]

maybe it is 5 min per km. this can easily be true

[xcolonel]

burl. i'll stick to my vibrams tho

[MdsFiveOhOneFour]

to be honest i don't think being barefoot has anything to do with the speed he's going at. that's just being in very good shape.

but good for him

[HandiAce]

Great video other than it being hard to hear Michael at times. I really liked what he said around 7 minutes into the video about listening to your body. You have to do that especially when running barefoot. It's not supposed to hurt unless you are running over sharp-jagged surfaces or into snow.

I've been running barefoot too, but I hate the place I run in. I always have people yelling at me saying things like "Put some shoes on, faggot!"

[MuminGrottan]

@HandiAce

What kind of retarded people says that? And why the hell do they care if you run barefoot or not.. pathetic people. I could understand them if they yelled at you cause you are running barefoot on a threadmill in a gym or something, but other than that its weird.

But hey, ignore those stupid people.

[izigr]

captions please!

[zDSpider]

A wind blocker would've been nice. Couldn't hear most of what he was trying to say.

[hhollines]

hmm, having a conversation at a 5:00 min. pace . . . I don't think so

[OrionFyre]

Why the cynicism hhollines? The rest of the world deals in kilometers, it's only us crazy Americans that are still holding to the empirical system with an iron grip based on nothing but a general sense of nostalgia... 12 inches in a foot, 5280 in a mile, so easy to remember. A lot more interesting than that plain old boring "everything divisable by ten" bull.... ;)

[hhollines]

@OrionFyre no cynicism :). 5km makes sense but as you say since we Americans seldom deal with km and mostly talk in miles, a clarification is required.

[larsbokberg]

@hhollines

..no he is probably doing 5.00 min/km

[hhollines]

you are right. that makes sense.

[Justintosh]

Haha... at 5:43 he passes a runner in shoes who is walking slowly and stretching her lower back in pain from all of the heel-strike shock. It's amazing how fast he is running, and for so long! Perfect form and cadence. Nice.

[jazzfusionforall]

@Justintosh its 6:07 actually

[roxtar55]

@Justintosh shuttup fatass :)

[FelipeDeLaTorreMusic]

@Justintosh 6:05 please be correct..i was like "where the fuck is she..? is she in the fucking tree? behind the pole? what the fuck??"

[Turkalj]

@Justintosh More like 6:06, but yeah, I agree

.