Talkin' Bout a (Barefoot) Revolution

You better Run Run Run Run Run.....

I am well aware of the massive hype surrounding the so-called barefoot revolution and how we should go back to nature in the way we run etc etc. I have been slightly reticent due to the fact that I am pretty much flat footed and a hideous overpronator due to an old ankle injury picked up at a netball match back in high school. However, like most things, I am willing to give it a try.

Therefore for my birthday, my lovely sister Grace brought me a pretty pair of black and blue Nike Free Run 2's. My first thoughts on pulling them out of the box was that they are an injury waiting to happen due to the seemingly lack of support and also how light they are, almost weightless....Possibly a PB waiting to happen...A double-edged sword if you will.

I love new trainers. Possibly one of the best things ever. Nothing quite beats the feeling of slipping on a brand new pair of trainers and going for that first virgin run. The Nike Free were no different. I have had to ease my way slowly into them, only using them once, twice at the most per week as I will be darned if I get injured after all the hard work I have put in over the summer. Last week I decided to go for it. I never do enough tempo runs and thought I may as well bare the pain; it will only make me faster. I slipped on the Nike Free and off I went on a 6 mile run.

I intended to take it easy-ish with all my mile splits under 9 minutes. There were a few hills and I would just have to allow for a few slower miles. However, this did not seem to happen. For some reason, my feet felt divorced from my body and I was clocking sub 8'30 miles, strange I thought but I felt good. Before I knew it I was going under 8 minute miles and culminating in a 47 minute run. Obviously I broke out into a sweat but I could have gone for longer and / or faster. Hmmmmmmmm.

So as you can see, I am now a convert to this new fad. The shoes definitely make you run in an all together different technique, with more emphasis on the forefoot. However, this economy of technique creates a faster stride. But like most new things, be careful and ease your way into barefoot running, switching between your normal shoes and your new ones or else you risk injury.

A little more info on the Barefoot Phenomenon...

Research has shown that more than  5mm  between the toe and heel of a running shoe will have a negative effect on your biomechanics. Natural running means running as your body was designed to move. The evolution of the running shoe has resulted in heavy, built-up and technology-laden models that prevent your body from functioning as it should. Basically, the heavier your shoes, the more energy you expend.

Minimalist running shoes will let your foot function as closely as possible to the way it should. Wearing them will wake up the muscles in the foot and lower legs, which are pretty much dormant when moving in normal trainers.

The barefoot phenomenon has many guises; minimalist / barefoot / forefoot. This type of running is not for everyone but I definitely feel it is worth investigating. Ease yourself into it. No change in running form is without risk; my Illiotibial band (ITB) on my right leg was pretty sore after my first outing, but this was remedied by my faithful tennis ball. Likewise, my boyfriend complained his calves ached after wearing his - these types of niggles are to be expected with barefoot shoes as the muscles are being wakened up and stretched more than when wearing traditional footwear. The body is just adjusting to the new sensation.

So what are you waiting for....Get on the Barefoot band wagon...