Lately I've became more interested in finding ways to be more self-sufficient and analyzing my consumption as a whole. I like the idea of living with less and purchasing less gadgets if I can get away with it . It's so easy to get caught up in all the things we don't have but really don't even need.
At at an after-race party a few weeks ago, I was introduced to the idea of barefoot running from a chiropractor runner. I was most interested in learning how this could actually be better for my feet and running form. He had only been training in Vibram Fivefingers for about a month and spoke of many benefits from his turning to barefoot running.
I started doing some research of my own and came across some helpful websites.
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/
http://runningbarefoot.org/
This really got me thinking. I had seen the occasional barefoot runner; and I don't mean the ones in third-world countries. I never understood why these people wanted to punish their feet when they could easily afford a pair of running shoes.
I am really coming around though.
I guess the way I am starting to view running shoes and the running shoe industry in much the same way as drugs and pharmaceutical companies. Their goals are similar- to sell more product. In the case of running shoes though; the product is not a necessity to be able to run and run with good form. In fact, it might even be a hindrance. According to the running barefoot organization, our bare soles are a guide to when we feel pain. Through this guide, a barefoot runner is able to take the sensory feedback and run sensibly.
It seems like barefoot running has started to become an acceptable option by many. I have started doing some short walks and runs barefooted, but nothing serious yet. I see a good possibility of me trying out one of those barefooties. They aren't exactly as cheap as running with nothing, but still a little less than a new pair of running shoes.
