tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631668154470492714.post4144994758280287306..comments2023-08-07T16:53:08.572+01:00Comments on Sport Psychology and Coaching: The 30 day challenge - Day 23. Barefoot running on sandStu Hollidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851388852303456877noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631668154470492714.post-35771628072271031862012-10-31T17:23:33.709+00:002012-10-31T17:23:33.709+00:00That's really useful Simon. Cheers for the adv...That's really useful Simon. Cheers for the advice. When I was thinking about running in parks I was particularly thinking of the perimeter round the cricket pitch in Highgate woods park, where you can see everything on a well manicured big patch of grass in summer, rather than some of the ones in Manchester!! But point taken. <br /><br />I also had a reply from @simon_freeman which for some reason he couldn't add, so I've got the copy from an email he sent me:<br /><br />"I think this is a interesting area, not least because it has recently become so popular and many of the brands that have made millions (if not billions) creating and marketing ever more cushioned shoes, are now trying to jump on the barefoot band-wagon with minimalist shoes. My opinion is very similar to @primalliving's - that shoes are a necessity if you are running on pavements and especially in built-up urban areas. Anyone who doesn't wear shoes in that scenario is a big of a fool in my opinion.<br /><br />If we accept then, that shoes are a necessity, I think that wearing minimalist shoes is hugely advantageous at least some of the time. I wear racing flats for speed work, shorter sessions and threshold runs as well as races. These are not marketed as 'minimalist' but I tend to go for shoes that have a limited heel-drop, low levels of cushioning and very light uppers, so they are pretty minimalist in comparison to most running shoes. I do however, wear more cushioned shoes for my recovery runs simply because 40 miles per week on pavements takes its toll and I prefer the feeling of some bounce.<br /><br />As for running totally barefoot or really minimalist, I very rarely do that. However again, like @primalliving, I kick my shoes off on every occasion, never wearing anything on my feet at home or in the office. Good luck with your experiments though and remember to take it easy transitioning!"Stu Hollidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04851388852303456877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1631668154470492714.post-77114268848178193772012-10-31T11:53:36.726+00:002012-10-31T11:53:36.726+00:00Thanks for the mention Stu!
My thoughts on the to...Thanks for the mention Stu!<br /><br />My thoughts on the topic are as follows:<br /><br />1) Form Over Footware<br />That is to say that it is running technique that is most important, not whether you are shod or unshod.<br /><br />In fact, running barefoot with bad technique could well cause more damage than running badly in cushioned trainers!<br /><br />Although there is an argument running in minimalist trainers may encourage better technique, a recent study showed that a small % of runners wearing minimalist shoes who thought they were forefoot strikers were actually heel strikers!<br /><br />This highlights the importance of getting your running style assessed by a professional such as Teri from Pure Running, or at the very least getting a mate to film you so you can watch it back. You may well be surprised!<br /><br />2) Minimalist Footwear is probably best but...<br /><br />If you've grown up in Africa running barefoot since childhood true barefoot running is probably the best thing going.<br /><br />If you've grown up in squishy trainers, and live in Manchester with tarmaced roads and paths littered with broken glass and needles you may want to think again!<br /><br />I'd agree that there is certainly more research needed, but in the interim I think the available evidence is pointing towards the direction that a thin flat sole is going to be best for both avoiding injury, and improving efficiency.<br /><br />That said, if you're used to running in cushioned soles and have a heel strike, you're going to have to lose the ego, and start from pretty much scratch again, as if you'd never run before. This is no doubt hard to do, but probably a lot more sensible than waiting till you've got shin splints/runners knee/ITBS or some other such debilitating and hard to rehab running injury!<br /><br />Stu - I'd also strongly recommend against running barefoot through the parks in Manchester - The long grass actually makes it harder to spot sharp objects etc.<br /><br />3) What I do:<br /><br />I go 100% barefoot whenever possible when NOT running - Around the house, when doing strength training, walking outside where it's safe. The benefits of walking barefoot in the grass/beach are manyfold!<br /><br />When running shorter distances on the road I wear vivobarefoot shoes. They have a thin flat sole, are very flexible, and don't cost the earth, though I think any shoe with a thin flat sole will do, and doesn't matter if it's branded as "barefoot/minimalist"<br /><br />When doing longer runs/trail runs I like Innov-8 X-Tallons. They're still pretty lightweight, minimalist, but have awesome grip in the mud, and offer that little bit more protection if you're hammering down a steep rocky hill at full pelt!<br /><br />Hope this is of some use!Simon Whyatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456942536224143190noreply@blogger.com