Barefoot Running Basics - Josh Sutcliffe

Barefoot runner Josh Sutcliffe explains the principles and "dos-and-don'ts" of barefoot running.

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Sports

Tags:

• barefoot running
• barefoot runner
• running
• Josh Sutcliffe
• RunnerDude
• RunnerDude's Blog
• barefoot running basics

[toddviv]

minimialist shoes are not the way due to the loss of proprioception that you get by not going barefoot. My feet feel completely differant by going barefoot. You feel muscles that you felt you never had. However technique is very important like the bent knee and forefoot loading and also letting the heel touch the ground when you run.

[barefootjosh1]

@paolodona

Blisters are caused by friction. Friction is inefficient. You didn't get a blister from running too long, but rather from twisting/scuffing/pushing off for too long.So yes, you could have avoided the blister by cutting your route short, but then you wouldn't know you were twisting/scuffing/whatever.

[barefootjosh1]

@caitzs

I could see ballet shoes working out alright for running footwear, except for the fact that you can't directly feel the ground. I suspect that's a valuable piece of the running puzzle.

[barefootjosh1]

@SalvadorLosAngeles

Yeah, I was pronouncing that wrong. I do that with about half my vocabulary. Good advice for beginners!

[barefootjosh1]

@fitruner

I don't run on treadmills myself, but the objective of running barefoot is to learn how to use the feedback from your feet to be smooth and efficient. Switching to the roads will require adjustment, but all new surfaces are adjustments. Good luck!

[barefootjosh1]

Hey everyone - I hadn't looked at this video in a while, so I didn't know there were questions. Sorry to be out to lunch for so long (mmmm lunch). I've got a race to run, but I'll respond to all questions later today.

[fitruner]

Hi Josh, I like you basics barefoot running info. I need to stay home most of the time so I would like to learn to run barefoot on my treadmill. Is this possible and can I still run outside without injury if I lean on a treadmill? thanks for any comments or advice.

[iamroadrunr]

Hi Josh, I have been running barefoot for a year, I took a break for three months due to an unrelated surgery, and three weeks ago, I started running barefoot again. Last week, I got some shinsplints pain which persisted, and I really don't know why. It normally feels great when I run barefoot and I'm used to running on my forefeet. Do you have any advice for me?

[SalvadorLosAngeles]

Thanks for the video. I tell people to walk around in their life first before they barefoot run. Walk around the house barefoot; go to the end of the driveway; walk around the block. I think a lot of people's fear comes from their lack of ever being barefoot just walking around casually! Even now, before a barefoot run, I walk around the block a couple of times to warm-up and awaken my feet after they've been smothered.

BTW, it's Veebram, not Vybrum. I heard it from the N American president!

[caitzs]

What about ballet shoes? They seem more flexible - they don't make that clop-clop against the ground. Thanks for the tips.