The Barefoot Running Craze

What is Barefoot Running?

There is madness sweeping the nation. Can you feel it? What I'm talking about is the barefoot running craze that has taken hold of the running world and planted roots right into its face.

In the 60's, shoes started to get more padded. In the 60's, Abebe Bikila also set a world marathon record barefoot. It just so happens that the highly padded, technical shoes took the spotlight and became wildly popular. So, for the last fifty years, sports shoes have become more padded and more technical.

Now we have things like Sketcher's Shape Ups with wild amounts of padding and sole material pushing 2-3" of foam rubber between your foot and the ground. These shoes are supposed to be developed by careful scientific testing and studies to work in perfect harmony with your body so that walking doesn't inflict pain. I, personally, find them ridiculous.

In the last couple of years we've seen minimalist (barefoot) running come into the mainstream as well, though. Vibram's Five Finger shoes have exploded as a fad almost as popular among runners as Pokémon was among ten year olds. All of a sudden, really out of no where, barefoot running is being hailed as the running miracle. It's better for your body, healthier, less injurious, more back to earth, find your soul, be-one-with-the-earth kind of stuff. It really has the word "fad" written all over it.

So now we come to the crux. Where shoes padding is so extreme we get Sketcher's Shape Ups, but also so minimal that we get Vibram's Five Fingers. It's as if the silent battle between padded footwear and minimalist footwear has reached an peak of extreme differences. Now we just have to see which way the dice fall. Either we're going to see ultra-padded shoes lose popularity, or we'll see minimalist shoes take over the market as the new dominant footwear. I really don't think we'll see them coexist.

So how ridiculous is Barefoot Running?

It's actually a really cool idea. I totally support going "back to the roots" and running as our human ancestors must have hundreds of years ago when foam padded shoes didn't exist. A buddy of mine always used to walk around and run without shoes during the summer just to spite the "Man" and do something natural. I totally support that cause!

However, barefoot running today has become a marketing ticket. Barefoot running in today's craze means buying a pair of $80+ shoes (that's right, you need shoes to be a barefoot runner). The ultra-thin-soled Vibram Five Fingers (VFF) are hailed as the ultimate "barefoot" running shoe. I think you can all see the irony in that statement.

Why do people turn to barefoot running to change their running and health lifestyle, and then go buy a pair of shoes for it? I DON'T KNOW!!! I don't get it at all. From all the reading I've done, and all the recent articles and posts about barefoot running, everyone suggests starting slowly in your transition to barefoot running. Which means they suggest you wear VFF's for a year and slowly work up your distance and speed again as if you're learning to run all over.

Can I spoil this quaint little marketing scheme? Vibram is raking in millions of dollars off of "barefoot" runners who switch to VFFs. I love the VFF shoes, have a pair myself. However what I don't like is that people who want to barefoot run are going through these shoes. You don't need a pair of shoes to start barefoot running! In fact, it probably makes the transition take longer and be more drawn out then necessary.

Here's Casey's Barefoot Running Plan (that doesn't require you to buy and shoes, DUH!!!)

Week one:
Keep your normal running plan with normal shoes.
Add walking for twenty minutes a day on concrete barefoot.

Week two:
Continue normal running plan.
Fast walk for thirty minutes a day on concrete barefoot.

Week three:
Continue normal running plan.
Run 10 minutes a day on concrete barefoot.

Week four:
Continue normal running plan.
Run 15 minutes a day on concrete barefoot.

Get the idea? You might even want to just keep walking on concrete or asphalt, adding more miles every week for a few months until your feet build up the calluses. Oh, and by the way, don't get a pedicure and scrub off the calluses! They're there for a reason!!!

Disclaimer: My running plan was made up on the spot for the purpose of demonstrating the idea that slowly working up walking and running miles on concrete while barefoot in addition to your running plan can avoid the need for "barefoot" running shoes. Also, don't get pissed at me if your dumb self steps on a broken bottle. Yes, glass is harder than your feet ever will be.

What I'm really trying to say is: running barefoot doesn't require you to buy a shoe.

What Running Program is Right for Me?

Running Without a Plan

I've recently added the Couch to 5k Facebook page to The Adventure Lifestyle Blog's Facebook "likes". It really is a great program that works for a lot of people and it's really cool to drop in on their wall to read all the motivational and inspirational posts by Couch to 5k runners. I've left a few tips on some posts that I've seen there and read through a lot more and every time I visit their Facebook page I'm reminded of how great it is to see people getting off the couch and hitting the road/trail.

Every so often (at least once a day) there comes a post from someone who asks "What program do I move on to after the C25K?" Every time I see this question come up it really bothers me a little bit. The C25K program is great, like I said, but it amazes me at how dependent we, as a society, have become on following rules and orders. We're so socialized to following commands that we can't even go running without following some sort of predefined plan. It strikes me as sad that as humans we cannot free ourselves from authority and routine enough to even find freedom in running.

What running plan should you follow? I advocate following no running plan whatsoever. That's right, ditch the running plans and programs and just go run. Everyone has a different schedule, physical condition, and motivation to run. Set a goal or sign up for a 5k and simply work toward it. Test the waters by starting off running and keeping your pace slow enough to hold a conversation and simply run until you're bored, tired, or reach your goal.

I know that it's hard to fathom just going out and letting your body tell you when enough is enough. Truly, though, it's entirely feasible. To keep your motivation up, just increase your distance or pace every time you come in from a run and say "that was easy". Next time you go running, push it a little farther and repeat the process. If you're looking for the next running plan to follow now that you're done with the C25K, I dare you to try no plan at all.

The best thing about this running plan? It's uniquely personalized. It works for any experience level, any fitness level, any time constraints, any distance. This running plan works for everyone, every time, guaranteed. Because it's your own plan, developed and tailored by your body, for your body, to fit your goals. And guess what? It doesn't require that you follow anybody's rules but your own.

So if you're wondering what plan to follow now that you're done with the Couch to 5k running plan, follow no plan at all. Make it up as you go and have fun while you reach your new goals. Let's face it, you're not a professional athlete so why bother with rigid plans when you can make your own flexible, fun workout every day.

I dare you to run with no plan at all!

Running is Good Backpacking Conditioning

I've been very busy ever since returning from hiking in the Red River Gorge and haven't been able to post much other than video and written reviews of gear that I tested on that trip. The next few weeks won't be much better, unfortunately, so stay tuned for new articles when I can get the chance. For now, I'll be doing a quick post about backpacking and hiking training and how running can help you in the long run (no pun intended) on the trail.

Wolverine Terrain Mid Waterproof

Coming up in April I have planned a 12 hour attempt of the 38.5 mile Waterloo-Pinckeny Trail here in Michigan. I have, of course, been training for this extensively over the last month keeping myself on a very regular running schedule. You will see it argued, especially among those who are setting off on the Appalachian Trail, that the only good conditioning for backpacking is backpacking. Thus one school of thought is to simply hit the trail and do short days for the first few weeks while you gain the muscle and conditioning necessary to pump out long days on the trail. There are a few problems with this.

For those of us who are not planning to be doing months of continuous thru hiking, a weekend backpack for an unconditioned body will do nothing more than make one sore and miserable. Even on a long journey, the first few weeks will be slow and miserable. This is why I advocate running as a great training exercise for hiking and backpacking.

Running allows one to adhere to a rhythmic schedule, develop and maintain great cardio, get the legs ready for strenuous use, and keep ones self healthy when you're not on the trail. It allows you to get outdoors to train, running takes minimal time and produces good solid results. You don't need gym memberships or special equipment. It really is a universally achievable conditioning tool to keep hikers and backpackers motivated and fit for the trail.

A lot of people will argue that running doesn't use the same muscles as backpacking. Well here's the real truth: running keeps the legs strong and used to strenuous exercise. While it may take a few days on the trail to develop the trail specific muscles for carrying the pack, the legs and your cardiovascular system will thank you for already being conditioned to running.

Try trail running, it's the same as hiking except you put out a lot more effort and get faster training results.  If you're tight on time, running or trail running will deliver the results you need. You can trail run a few miles a week for a total time of less than two hours a week and get in shape. It would take days of hiking to do the same thing. It's really an economical and time saving solution to trail conditioning.

My Pearl Izumi isoSeek IV WRX Trail Runners

If you're looking for trail running (or any running) shoes, I can whole heartedly recommend our partner Pearl Izumi. I have their Peak XC shoe which is by far the most comfortable and breathable trail running shoe I've ever worn. It has been accompanying me on my recent training runs for the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. When the weather is wet (often this time of year in Michigan) I rely on Pearl Izumi's IsoSeek IV WRX trail runner. It's a water resistant (just don't stand in the puddles and you'll be fine) shoe that doesn't fit me quite as well as the Peak XC but is still a great shoe. Bear in mind that shoe size and fit will be different for everybody but head on over to Run Like an Animal and look at Pearl Izumi's running shoes for your training.

Pearl Izumi isn't your thing? Try some of Wolverine Footwear's new 2011 trail runners.