Comments on: Barefoot Running Carries Risks and Rewards: Should You Stick to Shoes?

By: Steven Sashen

Steven Sashen — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

There is NOTHING that gets me more riled up than when a doctor says "I'm suddenly seeing all these barefoot injuries... it must be bad!"

Uh, remember 40 years ago when running shoes became popular and all the docs said, "I'm suddenly seeing all these running injuries... it must be bad!"

Anecdotal "evidence" from someone that ONLY SEES the people with problems (and who doesn't hasn't checked to see if the patient is actually barefoot, or what their form looks like), is, at best, iffy.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I would like to introduce all these runners, heck, every runner to something called the middle ground. It's nice there.

By: Scott Lynch

Scott Lynch — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ha! I recognize those people!

By: Dave Robertson

Dave Robertson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think this comment sums it all up perfectly:

'...barefoot running can be safe with a bit of caution and a slow buildup, and it can be harmful if you do too much too soon.'

From my personal experience/experiment I have found this to be true. Initially doing too much too soon, I was forced to back it off while the structures adapted.

But with a careful, slow build up (over 12 months) I have recently tackled a half marathon then a marathon with naked feet, & although slower than in shoes, have managed well.

The length of investment, which will be different for each person, must be respected.

By: Chadisbarefoot

Chadisbarefoot — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I just got back from 8 miles at the local Greenway completely barefoot. Miraculously, I have no exposed or broken bones anywhere on my feet. Both example guys are what we like to call "morons." That goes for the podiatrist, too. :)

By: yang xiaohan

yang xiaohan — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

But with a careful, slow build up (over 12 months) I have recently
tackled a half marathon then a marathon with naked feet, & although
slower than in shoes, have managed well.

By: Some Guy

Some Guy — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Jeff.

right you are, jeff

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Lindsay Knake.

You’re welcome Lindsay, great to get a response from you as a journalist!

—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
My book: Tread Lightly – Form Footwear and the Quest For Injury Free Runninghttp://www.amazon.com=“”> Work: http://www.anselm.edu/internet…
Blog: https://runblogger.com
Dailymile Profile: http://www.dailymile.com/peopl…
Twitter: http://twitter.com/oblinkin

By: Lindsay Knake

Lindsay Knake — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks for writing this. I'm a journalist and a runner who wears various minimal shoes... and all those articles about 'Barefoot Is Bad' and so on really, really piss me off. Too often, journalists fail to either comprehend or cover the nuances of running and especially science and peer-reviewed, scientific studies. These articles tend to put a blanket statement down about a topic instead of taking into account humans are all different, and different things are going to work for us (even in different periods on our lives).

Thanks for the work you do, Pete!

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Dave Robertson.

Couldn't agree more!

Sent from my iPod