Anyone try bare foot running yet?

[multigraincracker]

Seems to be a big topic lately. Drop foot shoes are pushed as well as bare foot. Suppose to help balance and prevent falls.
Just got back in from a 1 1/2 mile jog without shoes and ordered a pair of drop foot shoes yesterday.
Went well on my hard packed dirt track. No pain or damage to feet. It does change your gait and I noticed a few different muscles used like top of my thighs and calfs could feel it. Some small stones could be felt, but not bad.
I'm 75 and never had a falling problem before, but did trip and fall lasts week. That's what got me to try it.

[we can do it]

1. Zero drop Altras, yes. Pound bones on pavement, no.

[multigraincracker]

2. Does change your stride. I tended to bend at the waist a little more and land on the whole bottom

bottom of the foot, instead of the heel. Took a few laps to figure it out. Took away the pounding. Doesn't cost anything to give it a try. Just take off shoes and socks. Get my new shoes next week and see how they work. The improving balance got my attention.

[underpants]

3. You're 75 and putting in a mile and a half? Damn. Good for you

I haven’t run in a few years.

Back when I was running a lot (2009-2023) barefoot running became a big thing. Hey, good for you. It was fueled by a really good book. History and a bit of a mystery.
https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/born-to-run-a-hidden-tribe-superathletes-and-the-greatest-race-the-world-has-never-seen_christopher-mcdougall/249036/

Started 5 marathons - finished 4.

[FailureToCommunicate]

8. Good book! But his next one has led me on SO many new learning adventures...

From the Winston Churchill's secret SAS fighting in Crete in WWll, to ancient Greek superheroes, to Mediterranean diet, to Dr Phil Maffetone, to animal-like moving, and, and...

https://www.chrismcdougall.com/buy-natural-born-heroes-from-these-sellers/

[Traildogbob]

4. Zola Budd

From South Africa, Mid 80’s competed in two Olympics. Trained and ran barefoot, broke middle distance world records. In a battle with America’s Sweetheart Mary Decker, Decker went down when they got tangled up in the Olympic 5,000 meter race.
Decker’s chance for a medal after so many heartbreaks with injuries, shattered her dream.
Budd was a beast. And white.
Decker ran at NC State. And won so many road races after college.
Hard to believe Budd never got spiked on track.

[multigraincracker]

5. I usually do 3 to 5 miles 3 days a week.

Have a track in my back yard. Not setting any records, but it sure helps my health.

[FailureToCommunicate]

7. "track in my back yard" got my attention. How lucky!

[multigraincracker]

9. 2 acres. Wore a round track that turned

out to be exactly 1/10 mile. Use to count laps, but now I know how fast I go, so just look at my watch. Usually about 14 to 16 minutes equal a mile.

[FailureToCommunicate]

10. Excellent! I need to drive to anywhere nearby for decent running, school track or woods.

[multigraincracker]

11. Moving soon 100 yards from Ohio.

Wondering if I can run in 2 states and get in a couple of miles

[markodochartaigh]

6. It's interesting how everything old is new again.

Thanks to long covid my running days are over. But growing up we only wore shoes when it was cold. I never remember older relatives falling, ever. But I have no idea if it was because they were used to going barefoot or if it was because they were far more active than most people are today. Maybe it was because they were so much shorter, lol.