Curious about barefoot or minimalist shoe running? (Read 1240 times)

Honest questions here:  Don't your feet get extremely dirty doing this? To the point where you'd just wish you wore shoes?

 

I know in the summer it's a nice day and I just wander outside to check on the kids and just go out barefoot, walk around for a bit then go back in, next thing you know theres footprints all over the house and I'm wishing I threw on some flip-flops. I can't imagine having to scrub your feet everytime you're done running. Or is this just me being Canadian and the fact that we don't wear shoes in our houses and are amazed at all the people that do on TV.

Dirty, yes. Extremely dirty to the point that I'd wish I'd worn shoes, no.  Sometimes, if it is either really dry or actually raining, they come back not dirty at all.

I'm not Canadian - I'm in the Northeast, and with all the mud and snow we don't wear shoes in the house either.  I wipe my feet on the mat as if they were shoes.  Then head straight to the bathroom sink.  I wash my feet in the sink with handsoap.  Then I go back and clean up the footprints.  Since it's only ~ 6 steps to the sink, it's not a big deal. 

Honest questions here:  Don't your feet get extremely dirty doing this? To the point where you'd just wish you wore shoes?

 

I know in the summer it's a nice day and I just wander outside to check on the kids and just go out barefoot, walk around for a bit then go back in, next thing you know theres footprints all over the house and I'm wishing I threw on some flip-flops. I can't imagine having to scrub your feet everytime you're done running. Or is this just me being Canadian and the fact that we don't wear shoes in our houses and are amazed at all the people that do on TV.

I agree with SillyC.  Your feet do get dirty, it's one of the drawbacks.  I just run in grass for a minute or so... it cleans them off.  For me, it has always beena non-issue.  My wife may disagree...

I think we're the ones who don't get it.  Jason now has a 4+ page thread with his links all over it.  Well played.

I'm out.

I can hear my Pagerank rising as we speak!

Seriously, though, I'd take the opportunity to get to know some of you better via this thread over the 20 or so hits my site received from the thread.  It's not my preferred way to come out of lurking, but it has been insightful. 

Jason, you have been a very good sport.  I have been a long-time lurker around here, using the log and enjoying the forums, but have never jumped into the fray.

 

I have some sincere questions about barefoot running, if you'll indulge me.  These questions have been asked before, perhaps not of you, but I have never seen a satisfactory answer. 

 

No matter where I run, roads or trail, there are hazards all over the place - rocks, glass, sticks, roots, name it.  The barefoot zealots dismiss those hazards as inconsequential, saying "keeping your eyes open" is the only defense you need.  I'm no genius, but this seems condescending and "painfully" optimistic.  Running through glass barefoot seems moronic to me and it's offensive to have other runners tell me I'm apparently stupid if I step on something or a pussy if it forces me into some down time. 

 

I get the benefits that folks like you champion - and I respect that.  But to me - successfully shod for many years - the downside of trying to go barefoot far outweighs any potential upside.  I don't care if people want to run barefoot because it doesn't change my running experience.  Go for it.  But I have never seen an honest and practical discussion on the hazards. 

 

I don't think I am stupid.  And I sure as hell hope I am not a pussy.

 

Hornswoggle- I'll answer the second question first.  For many successful shod runners (whether success is measured by  speed, distance, or remaining injury-free, barefoot running is not a good option.  Going barefoot requires you to slow down, decrease distance, and will open you up to potential injuries infrequently suffered by shod runners (more on that later.)   About the only reason a runner in your position should try barefoot running is for a new challenge or you are getting so burned out you are considering quitting.  A runner in your position could experiment with a few barefoot miles per week to add variety to training... it may or may not help, but if done in an intelligent manner the risk/reward ratio is pretty low.  Many ultrarunners seem to be doing this (my circle of friends may not be a representative sample, however.)  Contrary to what some may claim, not all shoes are bad.  In extreme temps, I wear shoes.  When I ran my last 100, I wore shoes.  If I were running a mountain ultra, I'd seriously consider shoes. 

The first question- I apologize... this may get long.  There are a few things that help prevent injury.  Other barefoot runners are right- sight is your best defense.  Being able to watch the trail (or road), store a cognitive "map' of the terrain.  You develop the foot-eye coordination to automatically place your foot in the spots that will provide the best footing and will be devoid of debris.  This is a skill that can be practiced.  Like driving or playing the piano, it becomes automatic. The less debris, the farther you can focus.  On smooth roads, I will look about 100 yards in from of me.  On very technical trails, that distance drops to about 20 feet.  In darkness on the same trails, it may drop to 10 feet or less.

The second line of defense is the tactile sense your brain receives from the sole of your foot.  It is inevitable that you will step on something injurious.  If that happens, you develop what could best be described as a reflex.  I'll use a sharp rock as an example.  If you step on one, your foot automatically relaxes so your foot "molds" over the rock.  You also shift your weight to minimize the weight transfer to that foot, thus reducing the force pressing the rock into your foot.  The net result- you can run over objects that would be considered very dangerous and/or difficult with little problem.  Again, this is a skill that has to be practiced. 

I personally have never stepped on glass even though I live in a college town.  I have stepped on many sharp rocks, however.  I have never had to stop a run due to this type of injury.  This type of injury IS possible, it's just vastly over-exaggerated by some non-barefoot runners.  I HAVE tripped twice- once on a root in a 50 miler I was running barefoot (at mile 35) and broke the fourth toe on my right foot.  That sucked.  I tripped on a speed bump when running at night without a light and severely bruised both knees.  "Stubbing" injuries will be worse barefoot.  Again, it's not a huge issue.  After running between 3500-5000 miles barefoot, I've done it twice.

More common (and less known) barefoot injuries are calf/Achilles problems and the dreaded "top of the foot pain".  Both are the result of soft tissue adaptation when going from raised-heel running shoes to flat-soled minimalist shoes or barefoot.  It puts an entirely new stress on your lower anatomy.  Patience and restraint are mandatory.  I've know people that have ruptured their Achilles tendon because they did too much too soon.

There are other issues, too.  Hot asphalt can burn, ice and snow can freeze.  Friction from going too fast on rough surfaces can cause blisters.  Going slow and learning very good form can prevent many of the blister issues, but they can still spring up.  It took me three years of working on form before I could run a 25k barefoot without blistering (~1:54). I'm at a point where my feet are no longer the limiting factor in short road races in regards to limiting my time, but it took awhile to get to that point. 

As far as being a "pussy", that's just asinine.  If a barefoot runner told you that, you are justified in having a negative perception of barefoot runners.  Almost every barefoot runner I know started running barefoot because they couldn't tolerate the pain of the injuries they were experiencing.  Good barefoot running form requires one to be gentle and relaxed.  The dumb ass runner and/or runners that told you that clearly do not understand the basic concepts of barefoot running.  Any quality individual would teach you how they are able to avoid debris, not berate you for not understanding the concepts behind it.  Those that take the "warrior" approach to barefoot running do not last long.  The idea is to use discomfort to learn good form... not injuring yourself to prove you are not a pussy. 

In the event new barefoot runners do get hurt, the worst thing you can do is continue training.  My rule-of-thumb: rest until you are able to run pain-free.  It's why I started cross-training... I had to have some down time after long runs and races. 

Hope this helps!