Barefoot Running

I heard Eddie Izzard talking about this - he does it apparently

They're called vibram fivefingers.

You can get those mad looking rubber sock things can't you?

I'm not much of a runner, 25 mins is my limit. But I do like the sound of barefoot running, even if it's in some very thin trainers. Too much poo and glass in this area to risk totally barefoot.

I read Born to Run recently (loved it!) and it has made me think about running without shoes. I tried a short run on grass the other day, which felt really good, but I was so paranoid someone would see me and think I was weird...

I've bought Terra Plana Viva Barefoot shoes after reading a few reviews, so I can transition slowly without being too self-conscious. They only arrived today so I went for a walk in them, but not yet run in them.

When I was a kid we were always barefoot and laughed at the kids who didn't have tough feet like ours (I grew up in South Africa). Now of course I'm a total wuss and don't want tough feet (want nice soft feminine ones).

So although I think barefoot makes a lot of sense I'm not sure I'm brave enough to go the whole hog yet.

Was very excited to see a post about it on here though!

I don't understand this. Fifteen years ago, it was all about cushioning, to protect the knees/hips etc from the enormous impacts caused by running.

Now we don't hear anything about impact, it's all about the change in running technique if you're wearing those expensive weird five-toed things barefoot.

Is it cynical of me to think that this band wagon is really about whatever expensive footwear Nike/Adidas etc can flog to you?

If you're a runner, you're going to get injuries from time to time. It'll take more than a few anecdotal reports about barefoot running to convince me otherwise.

There are some barefoot running fans in my running club. When we have a training session on the field they run with no shoes. Think it's ok if grass is quite soft and no litter. Also supposed to be good for your feet and posture. We had a talk from a podiatrist last week who recommended wearing minimal shoes like plimsolls as mentioned above. Reckoned fancy running shoes from running shops are a rip off. So all in all, could be worth it!

My DH got interested in this a few months ago. With city running he decided not to go completely barefoot. Dog poo and broken glass...

He runs with minimal shoes - there are a few brands but he wears Terra Plana- and he says it's been a revelation. Apparently a lot of the foot problems runners get can be linked to modern shoes. He said it took a couple of weeks to get used to it, but now his posture is better and he is going slightly faster. I'm getting a pair myself when I next feel rich.

With kids I might consider something like plimsolls, Roger Bannister ran the 4 minute mile in those, and indeed DH's dad ran the Comrades' twice in them.

Hi never done any barefoot running myself but do go out running with my kids as often as we can,it finding the time with all the other activities that the whole family already does.

Anyway found this interesting article on barefoot running on another site have a look

www.running4women.com/barefoot-running/