Barefoot: Running Long Distance Without Shoes! Michael Sandler

[8588cee]

"Sorry to bother you.. I just have a question." That brought me a chuckle, because I used to be like that and get onto people's edge.

[zeekzilch]

@8588cee

Although it looks staged it was actually natural and spontaneous - I saw him on the trail, whipped out my camera, and asked if I could bother him!! (He took it well!)

[8588cee]

@zeekzilch I know! He seems to be very comfortable with the society.

[runwithkyrstin2002]

does this help with running form? I hope someone could help me with my running form

[zeekzilch]

@runwithkyrstin2002

I don't know a lot about it but believe that it does, indeed, help with running form as it's the natural way that our species ran for thousands of years before the invention of shoes.

[TheLinkMedic]

Very cool chance encounter, seems like a cool guy to be on your video.

[zeekzilch]

@TheLinkMedic

I agree, it was great to run into someone (so to speak) like this while I was bicycling to work!

[Genius83]

That smooth ashphalt/concrete path he is running on actually looks so comfortable!

[zeekzilch]

@Genius83

Yes, the City of Boulder maintains excellent pedestrian and bike paths!

[Genius83]

@zeekzilch Cool - thats definitely what you want, especially when starting out at barefoot running. Wish the paths along side the River Clyde in Glasgow were all like this :-P

[zeekzilch]

@Genius83

My wife and I visited Glasgow a few years ago and really liked it there! But, we didn't have

time to investigate any of your pedestrian or biking trails. Boulder, Colorado is famous (on

this continent at least) for it's interest in pollution-free transportation, healthy lifestyle, and

countless city and mountain trails.

[xTheDeathSaintx]

running without shoes is actually better for your foot. naturally your foot is built to run with the pad of the foot, not the heel. its the reason people who wear shoes get so much back pain in reality running with the heel sends a bigger shockwave through your body. runnning with the pad reduces foot stress i believe by 50 percent.. for exact numbers i recommend google.

i stumbled across that fact, same way i stumbled to this vid

[zeekzilch]

@xTheDeathSaintx

Your information makes sense - thanks for sharing!

[Gstricko]

I tried barefoot running, ended up with a stress fracture in my 2nd metetarsal!!! Must of gone wrong somewhere, now i'm too scared to try it again because that was the worst 6weeks of my life waiting for it mend.

[zeekzilch]

@Gstricko

I, myself, do an extraordinary amount of barefoot walking - even in snow at times. But, I still haven't experimented much with barefoot running. In your case it's probably best to consult a medical professional before continuing further...

[luckysk81980]

@Gstricko IHi mate! I Just Started the barefoot running about 2 weeks ago. I thought I will share my experinece with you. It will mightbe useful. I had injyry right on my first training. I had my both calf muscle F@CKED. I could`t stand up for 4 days. Next training after the injury ....almost the same happend. I was so angry. But at least i had enough time to wacth thousands of videos about barefoot running. Today was the first when I was satisfied.

[luckysk81980]

This is what found out. 1, Straight body posture, 2 very short steps, 3, DO NOT run too much for start ,maybe 3X2 or 3 minutes. Hope will help to you too

[JoshuaDG2111]

@Gstricko i advise watching "howtorunbarefoot" videos on youtube. she teaches you how run properly.

[MrAmericanrebel]

real man dont run. real men lift weights

[zeekzilch]

@MrAmericanrebel

Okay!

[MrAmericanrebel]

@zeekzilch just kidding

[zeekzilch]

@MrAmericanrebel

I know! It's all fun anyway!

[OnePresidentOfPeace]

Inspiring, I run with socks on using my treadmill. Just remember to keep ur head up high and don't give up and find the right kind of music that fits u. I wanna join the club!!

[zeekzilch]

@OnePresidentOfPeace

Thanks!

[Vegemighty]

I have a titanium femur too!

[zeekzilch]

@Vegemighty

Wow! I hope it's working as well for you as it is Michael?

[IcarusFlying]

i just did bare running for the first time up the street. I felt so awesome, like a kid again. I felt like all these subtle adjustments were occurring. It felt amazing. I had to stop and let my feet rest cause they were starting to get super sensitive. Like the guy said, shoe companies need us. I can image countless people eventually tossing away their shoes once they realize what it can be like.

[zeekzilch]

@IcarusFlying

Excellent - thank you for sharing your comment! I don't run nearly as much as I should but friends and family will confirm that I always walk everywhere barefoot!

- Roger

[samkeskin]

The first time I ran barefoot (5kms on a bike path) I was in heaven !! Feels very weird at first, but then primal and natural. I love the stares I get. And it cured my achilles tendonitis

[zeekzilch]

Sounds great - thanks for the info!

[gymtique]

Run in pool shoes, decent protection, almost like running barefoot. A pair is $4.00 at Wal Mart. I'll never run in $80.00 running shoes again.

[vendoskt]

Great interview. I've been running barefoot going on to my fifth year now. Michael Sandler here has got it right. You can't go wrong with millions of years of research and development. If you can run, you can run barefoot. It just takes some time to make the transition.

[ldesaul]

Huh. Running w/o shoes?

I just got a Supartz injection in my knee, which enables me to walk w/o a leg brace. 25 years of running, wearing the best running shoes $ could buy, pounded my meniscus down to the bone.

I can't imagine running again, let alone barefoot.

[sunebird]

barefoot is good for the knees. go to Runners World and click on the barefott forums

[speedboarding100]

actually the more expensive shoes are the ones that are causing many of the injuries. read 'born to run' by christopher mcdougall and visit the runners world barefoot forum ! they have tons and tons of great info. give barefoot a chance!

[Evi1M4chine]

@idesaul: Well, a study that I trust shows, that the more expensive the running shoes are, the worse they are for your body.

The problem is that you did not run barefoot.

And what fucked-up mentality is it, to see the barefoot running as the unnatural and weird one. Do you think we had shoes all those million of years?

We dont need shoes, except for hazardous environments. But shoe maker companies need us!!

[toby099]

@ldesaul

Try it then, I guarantee you won't have a single bit of pain

[Supralobe]

Very interesting stuff - definitely a more intimate way to experience the path. I know a guy who started having back problems and stopped wearing shoes - the problems went away entirely after just a few months. The five fingers shoes may be an option for the more timid.

[aimdon]

I follow this guy on Twitter he is @runswithspirit, If you like the barefoot thing read borne to run a vary good book!

[davidsquall351]

I've never tried running barefoot any distance other than around my house.

I will try it.

Interesting interview.