Running Barefoot

I run a few days every week, about three miles. Usually I take Fridays off to start my recovery. I am, after all, an older gentleman.

A few years ago, we had a physical therapist, sports variety, speak at the Church. His big thing was zero drop shoes, how you should have shoes that allow you to walk as you would barefoot. Since then, I’ve been playing with zero drop and barefoot running shoes.

I bought a pair of shoes made by Whitin, mostly because they had wide sizes.

They were tan, and they looked like a cross between earth shoes, back in the day, and orthopedic clogs oldsters wear. Worse, when used barefoot they made my feet sweat. Those got donated.

The second pair was a zero drop running shoe, again by Whitin. Should’ve known better.

They look normal in the image. In reality, they had that same bulbous nose and running in them was awful. I think I used them twice and my knees started screaming. I went back to my Saucony pair.

Still, I flirted with the barefoot shoes. I got a set from Aicall. Those were walkers/training shoes and not runners. I reasoned I’d use them to knock around in and lift weights. I got a black set that fits well, is comfortable, and keeps my feet flat and controlled for squats.

I liked them enough to get a grey pair for dog walking when I’m at the Girl’s. They pack easy, are super light, and work well for that. What I noticed is that when we veer off the path and are walking around the field, my foot is more stable, and connected to the ground. So I don’t have that risk of twisting an ankle on a rut in the grass.

I read a piece on Denniger where he said he uses barefoot runners. He explained the benefits to a geezer like him (and me). So I was intrigued. I asked around and found no one that uses them.

So I got a pair like his.

Those are Xero Shoes, HFS II. They don’t have wide, but the advertise a wide toe box, like Aicall, so I reasoned that these would fit as well. Doing research, I found these are designed by runners for running. They needed some adjustment when I put them on. The right side was a little tight, but loosing the laces and re-tying them worked.

So I took them for a spin Friday.

First thing I noticed was the initial shock. My Saucony shoes absorb impact. These don’t. It took a half mile or so to warm up and adjust my gate for them. Second thing was that I noticed my calves and thighs getting a workout. Seemed like I had to work harder to run. The best way I can describe it is when you change from using weight machines to free weights. When you do that, you find out that you aren’t as strong as the machine led you to believe, and you notice tons of muscles getting worked out that you didn’t notice before.

I only ran about two miles. Friday is a recovery day. No need to overdo it.

I noticed in addition to my calves and thighs, my quads and gluts (butt) got a workout.

I showered and waited throughout the day for the joint pain to manifest.

It never did. But I had real tight calves Friday night and Saturday. May be my imagination, but I also felt like my posture straightened.

I’ll try them out again this Friday. Why not? It’ll be a leg booster.

I’m not sure they are a good replacement for me for pavement running. I ran yesterday with my normal shoes, and it went smooth. I can see using them for running on trails though. Like my walker set, you’re feet are more controllable on uneven surfaces.

Maybe I’ll add a short run in the barefoot shoes, once a week over time to compare.