CBC’s show, the Current, recently had a discussion about barefoot running which I thought was very interesting since a friend of mine had recently started running barefoot. I was curious to find out more so here is my interview with my friend, Brad Jones.
1. Why did you start barefoot running?
I started running barefoot for a few reasons. First, I needed a new challenge after running two marathons and seven half marathons. Secondly, it just doesn’t seem right to go out and spend $150 every six months for new running shoes. I have two perfectly good feet that have worked for millions of years (or for those creationists 3000 years) without needing replacing. I have a closet full of worn out shoes that “don’t work anymore”. It just doesn’t seem responsible financially or environmentally to keep buying something that wears out. If I run for another 40 years under the current sneaker theory I will need to purchase shoes every 6 months which works out to 80 pairs. That’s a lot of shoes. Why not run barefoot and if my feet get sore offer to massage my wife’s feet and then she massages mine so it is a win win situation.
2. How long have you been running barefoot?
I’ve been running now four weeks my feet are still adjusting.
3. Any injuries?
No injuries. But, I’ve got some pretty dirty feet due to the sap running. It kind of makes a mess of the tub, but isn’t that what a bath is for?
4. What is the best experience about barefoot running?
It’s something new. In some ways I feel like a little kid. Running in shoes you don’t get the same feed back that you do with bare feet. For example; I’m running on asphalt and it’s soft under the feet has some spring to it, when you wear shoes you don’t get that feeling. An even better feeling is when I go from concrete to grass, the grass just soaks into the foot its like being let out of a box. Your feet dig into the ground and you take off… its very primal. I don’t think words give it justice.
5. When you run in sneakers now do you notice a difference?
When I wear sneakers I feel sluggish. I notice when I sprint with shoes my feet kind of get tangled up like I’m running with two cement shoes on.
6. Have you noticed a difference in your feet or ankle strength?
I don’t have any conclusive evidence. I know that I don’t get any hip pain. Oh and I never have that feeling that my shoes are too tight.
So if you are still not convinced about barefoot running you should check out Chris McDougall’s book “Born to Run”. The book describes how he endured an injury and was told to stop running. Chris follows a Mexican tribe of ultra runners called the Tahumara who race from 50 to 200 miles straight without shoes and have no injuries.
Happy Running! To learn more about my services, please visit my website.
