The New York Beta Times has a short article today about barefoot running.
I took up barefoot running a few weeks ago. My thinking was simple: We didn’t evolve with expensive, high tech shoes on our feet. I run a mile or two a few times per week to maintain cardiovascular health, punctuated with intermittent wind sprints, primal style. I don’t run endless miles training for marathons because long distance running will make you stupid, effeminate and unhealthy.
The first couple of times, I ran with aqua socks, and have switched on and off since then to completely barefoot. I run mostly on concrete sidewalks and some patches of grassy ground in the parks, careful to avoid the dog poo. My running form changed almost immediately. I stopped leading with my heel (banging your heel on solid ground will send joint crushing shock waves through your body) and began striking first with the midpoint and balls of my feet. This running form feels sort of gay, as it causes me to run with a lighter “spring” to my step, but I’m beginning to get accustomed to it.
Further observations:
When you first run barefoot, expect your calves and foot muscles to be very sore for a couple of weeks. The good kind of sore, like after a great workout. Mine are still sore.
I’m on the fence about barefoot running on asphalt or concrete. Barefoot – natural. Concrete – unnatural. Thankfully, I run in the gentrified parts of DC so I don’t have to worry much about stepping on broken glass, hypodermic needles, or shell casings. However, there are lots of small, hard objects in the parks, like acorns and rocks, which will make mincemeat of your feet. I plan to purchase Vibram FiveFingers for the peace of mind.
Running barefoot is so unconventional that people will gawk at you. Or, more specifically, they’ll gawk at your feet then look up to see what kind of face is guiding those feet. Which is how I stumbled across another great discovery in my already illustrious career of discoveries: Barefoot Running Game. Girls will stare at you so hard that you can open them easily when you stop to take a breath. “Hey babe, I’m up here.” Barefoot running is a massive DHV. Girls will think you are courageous for trying it.
Last time I ran barefoot, I was wearing a purple t-shirt that said in big white letters “YOU SAY PARTY WE SAY DIE”. The one-two combo of bare feet and bold t-shirt was like a vaj magnet. Drawing attention to yourself is good game. It will make cold approaches a little less cold.
