Barefoot: Running Long Distance Without Shoes! Michael Sandler

While riding my bike to work, this early fall morning, I saw a guy running barefoot on one of Boulder's many multi-use trails. I was so fascinated, especially seeing him barefoot on concrete, that I made a quick U-turn and pulled up behind him with my camera in recording mode.

As you can learn from the video, it turns out this runner is Michael Sandler, coach of the nation's largest barefoot running club. Called the Barefoot Running Club, it's a growing organization of advocates who believe (and can demonstrate) there are benefits to running without shoes - something our ancestors were doing one or two million years ago!

I don't know much about it but will certainly give it a try once my own aches and pains subside from a summer of extensive mountaineering...

NOTE: This video was not "staged" or rehearsed as was suggested by some running forums a few days after I had posted it - I really did ride my bicycle up behind Michael, unannounced, and started asking questions. And, thankfully Michael is in such great shape he was able to answer me while still running!

Here's a link to the Barefoot Running Club:
http://www.meetup.com/Barefoot-Running-Club/

Here's Michael Sandler's website:
http://www.runBARE.com

Here's a follow-up YouTube interview I conducted with
Michael Sandler a few months later:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA2gp1EzjFU

Here's a link to my own page on exercise:
http://www.rogerwendell.com/exercise.html

Here's my own page about Boulder, Colorado:
http://www.rogerwendell.com/boulder.html

09-16-2009

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• barefoot
• running
• long
• distance
• coach
• michael
• sandler
• boulder

[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!)

[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!

[8588cee]

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

[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.

[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