Oct 5 2010

Barefoot Running – It’s Not a New Thing

Even though it might not seem like it, barefoot running is the best thing you can do for yourself when it comes to running. Natural running is something that man has done for millions of years. It was not until the 1970′s that running shoes made their way into the homes of just about everyone. Before then, barefoot running was done much more often. It is still done today, but the majority of the people that have participated in it in the recent past have been the few enthusiasts and natives from other countries.
There are now even races that involve natural running. Since the major shoe companies have gotten wind of this, they have tried to make a shoe that is for “barefoot running”. It is more like a flap of leather tied to the bottom of feet. Still though, that does not replace genuine barefoot running. Many people view this as nothing more than a poor attempt to cash in on what nature already allows us to do on our own.

It does seem that barefoot running is starting to pick up in popularity again. This is mostly due to the fact that people are starting to realize that it is not only unnatural for the foot to be contained and restricted as it is in sneakers, but the shoes are always causing more and more running related injuries. This is pretty ironic, especially since so many of these shoe companies are advertising how great their shoes are and how much protection they will provide you, when in the end, they are actually the cause of the pain and injury that they are claiming they are trying to prevent.

Could it be that the shoe companies really believe that if they keep telling people that their shoes are what helps people, instead of what is harming them, that people will never wake up to the truth? So many people are now getting back to their historic roots and going for the natural running. Just think of all of the money you would save if you were not buying a new pair of running shoes every six months or so. Some people even find themselves spending hundreds of dollars a month on running shoes, trying to find the perfect pair that will finally help them stop getting all of the injuries and pains.

The thing is, there is never going to be a running shoe that will give you the freedom and the safety that you get with barefoot running. With barefoot running, you strike with your toes first. When you run with running shoes, you are actually striking with your heal. The impact on the heal is what is causing a lot of foot and knee injuries. Some of the easy injuries are easy enough to get over and heal from. Others are not so easy to get over. There are people still living with pain and aches from injuries they had from years ago.

Now, if you are going to give natural running a try, then you are going to want to make sure that you are taking it slow. This way, you will not have to worry about jumping in too much too quick, which that in itself could cause injury, but that would be with anything that you do. Are you worried about pain that you might experience? If you have never walked around outside in your bare feet in your life and you have always used lotion and had pedicures, you might have to build up some calluses. Those small calluses will be what protects your feet from pain. This is how man has been able to enjoy barefoot running for millions of years.

If you are still wondering whether or not barefoot running or natural running is right for you, you are free to do all of the research you will want. There have been many studies making their way into the light that will show you everything you need to know. You will find that there are a lot of people really looking into just how many people are really getting injured from all of the running shoes. It has surprised many people that the number of people being injured is reaching into the million. However, once you get the hang of natural running and then try to run in running shoes again, you might start to wonder why that number isn’t even higher.

Once you get into the hang of barefoot running, you are probably going to want to get your friends and family to give it a try as well. Do not be surprised if they are a little concerned about how they will do with it. Just explain all of the medical benefits to it and that they will soon become used to it. Before you know it, you might be among a group of people that is into barefoot running. Natural running was how man started and it should be how man finishes.

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Sep 25 2010

Barefoot Running Tips

If you enjoy running then you may want to find an alternative to running in your trainers, many people love the feeling of barefoot running. Although you may think this will be difficult there are many things that you can do to help your feet adjust to running with no trainers on. Barefoot running tips are easy to find on the internet and if you approach it in the correct way then you will enjoy the freedom that running with no shoes on offers.

You need to get your feet used to being barefoot if you are one of these people who wears shoes all of the time then your feet will be very tender. You will need to take it slowly and allow your feet to adjust to the ground you are placing them on. Before even attempting to go anywhere barefoot running you should take your shoes off and walk around outside.  You will notice that you walk in a different way depending on what ground you are on. Your feet will adjust to their comfort level and although it may be uncomfortable it won’t be painful.

Once you have got your feet used to being out of footwear then you should try running barefoot on different surfaces. All different surfaces will feel different to your feet and some will be better to run on than others.  Great barefoot running tips are those ones that are so simple to follow you should only walk without your shoes on for 5-10 minutes in the beginning. You should stop if it becomes painful or you feel that you cannot walk on the chosen surface.

As your feet get more used to the terrain that you are asking them to walk over you will be able to walk on different surfaces. Some you will be able to walk on for ages and others you will struggle with. Grass will be better for your feet and you will find that you will be able to start barefoot running on this surface very soon. Other surfaces may take some time to get used to and although these will take longer you will be able to run on them given time. You need your feet to adjust slowly and they will let you know when they are ready to try running.

When your feet feel that they can cope with the different surfaces for longer periods of time then you will be able to begin barefoot running. Remember you want to be able to run for a short distance with no pain or injury to your feet. You need to be able to build up the distance you run gradually there is no need to feel that you should prove yourself by running long distances straight away. At anytime your feet or body is in pain then you should stop. There is no need to damage yourself you simply need to stop for the day and start again another day.

You will learn some very good barefoot running tips that you have to remember at all times, although they are common sense you will be surprised how many people forget. You should be very careful where you are barefoot running. You need to look out for dog poop, glass and rubbish which is likely to be on the floor and glass. All foreign objects on the floor can be a hazard to you when barefoot running and you need to be more aware of what is on the floor. You do not want to return home and find that you have something stuck to your foot or worse still through your foot.

Once you have found your perfect place to go barefoot running and have followed all of the great barefoot running tips then you will find that you really enjoy it. The freedom you feel is amazing and it can be very relaxing. It has also been proved to be very good for you can help to build your posture and focus your mind more. Often when you are running with trainers on you are un focused and your mind will drift. When barefoot running your mind is focused on the ground and where you are placing your feet. It is also a great form of exercise which you can now enjoy running with shoes on and barefoot running.

Technorati Tags: Barefoot in the Park, Barefoot Running, Barefoot Running Advice, Barefoot running tips, Natural Running

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Sep 20 2010

Barefoot Running but Why?

So many people are used to buying really expensive running shoes that it seems odd that some people are running around barefoot. After all, we have all been told that with the right running shoes, you can run faster, be much safer and be more comfortable over all. The thing is though, it seems that those who have experience with barefoot running have a different story to tell. You can run barefoot and actually run without having to worry about having so many injuries.

Think about it. People have been running since the beginning of man. Barefoot running was the way to go. It was not until the recent past that we started using sneakers or running shoes. Since the arrival of the shoes that were supposed to help people, more and more people have faced minor and serious complications and injuries. In fact, the running shoes didn’t make their entrance into our world until the 1970′s. People had been barefoot running for millions of years before that and everything was just fine.

Now, there are those who are going to tell you that to run barefoot means that you are going to have to deal with a lot of pain. However, many people can be found running on the hardest of all surfaces and it does not phase them a bit. This is because they have built up a nice little patch of calluses and you will not feel much in the way or pain or discomfort. Remember, our feet were originally designed for such wear and tear. 

The main point of concern, and cause of injury, is that those who run with running shoes strike with their heels. The person who runs in his bare feet will strike with his toes and the ball of his foot, putting less of an impact on the heel. To run barefoot means that you are running in a manner which will less likely end in a medical problem.

Now, if you are ready to break into barefoot running, you are going to have to take it easy. After all, there is a good chance that you are not used  to such running. If you have worn shoes all of your life when doing some serious running, you are going to want to make sure that you are easing into it. Start slow. Do not decide that you are going to run barefoot in the middle of the summer, on a gravel road without any shoes or car near by to pick you up. You might just find yourself in a predicament you would have rather not been found in. 

Before you know it, you will be running barefoot all over the place. You will not have a desire to put those running shoes on anymore. In fact, you might become one of the many people who end up disliking shoes all together. Of course, you will still have a need for shoes. The good thing is though, you will no longer have to feel as though you have to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on brand name or high-tech running shoes. Just think of all of the money that you will be able to save. 

You might just be wondering at this point that if there is so much evidence out there to support barefoot running, why are there still so many people that are convinced otherwise. The answer – great marketing. These sneaker and running shoe companies spend millions of dollars marketing to the public. They convince you that you need to have their shoes and that their shoes, for whatever reason, are much better than the cheaper, more affordable running shoes out there.

Some might seem through them, but most people buy into it. Why run barefoot when you have shoes that are supposed to help you? Of course, if more and more people only realized that the sneaker companies are making an extreme fortune from this misinformation, more people would start barefoot running. 

If you are still not convinced, you could always do a little more research for yourself. There are a lot of studies and research out there that is available for your viewing. You will find that there is a lot of evidence to support barefoot running as the way to run. You might even luck out and find a few videos on the subject matter. Hearing from those who practice barefoot running on a regular basis might just be the trick to get you to see that it really is the best way to run.

For those who want to continue to enjoy running and who also want to make sure that they are not going to end up with too many injuries, barefoot running is the way to go. Remember, just take it slow. But do not be afraid to get started. You could always go back to the running shoes if you really wanted to. Of course, after a short while, you are bound to see that running shoes are no longer what you want or need.

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