Category: Barefoot Running

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Daniel Lieberman studies the Tarahumara running

Daniel Lieberman studies the TarahumaraDr. Daniel Lieberman is one of the fathers of the barefoot running movement. His study showing how barefoot runners strike the ground with less force than shod runners, combined with Christopher McDougall’s book, Born to Run, catalyzed the growth of barefoot and minimalist running.

Well, it’s as if Dr. Lieberman had a child with BTR, since his new study looks at how the Tarahumara run. And, more, it compares Tarahumara runners in huaraches to younger Tarahumara who run in padded running shoes.

You can read the study for free here.

Before I talk about what the study reveals (and what it doesn’t), let me address a myth about barefoot running… Continue reading Daniel Lieberman studies the Tarahumara running

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Happy Born to Run release day!

Born To Run TreeMay 5th is an important day in the barefoot running world. And, for the same reason, it’s one of the most important days in the Xero Shoes world.

What makes it so important?

As Brian Metzler from Competitor.com reminded me, “Journalist Christopher McDougall’s best-selling book “Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen” hit bookstore shelves five years ago Monday—on May 5, 2009.”

Brian describes 11 ways that Born To Run influenced the running world, from simply being a really great read, to inspiring the growth of ultrarunning, to creating a number of great races, to inspiring people to run barefoot, to encouraging shoe companies to make minimalist footwear (of course, if you’ve read anything I’ve written, you know I think most “minimalist shoes” are as close to barefoot as a pair of stilts).

The 12th way that Chris’s book influenced the world is that it was one of the inspirations for Xero Shoes.

If you’ve read Lena’s and my story, you’ll know how BTR inspired us. But, more, the success of the book created a wave that we surfed. Were it not for the millions of people who read BTR, Xero Shoes would have remained a goofy little hobby.

Now, on days when we work 12+ hours, I sometimes long for those hobby times 😉 … but given the thousands of people we’ve been able to help — people who can now run or walk or hike enjoyably and pain-free — and the fun we have when a new person discovers the fun of being able to feel the world when they’re out and about, we couldn’t be more thankful for this anniversary.

Congrats again to Chris for his success. Thanks again to him for all he’s done for ALL of us. And stay tuned and cross your fingers for the Born To Run movie!

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Is your body optimized for running?

Harvard’s Daniel Lieberman is one of the two or three people most responsible for the barefoot running boom (Christopher McDougall, who wrote Born to Run, is another… you can vote for who the third should be).

Daniel is an anthropologist and has some fascinating ideas about why the way humans run (and sweat) gave us such an evolutionary advantage.

In this video he talks about some of aspects of human anatomy that suggest we were “made to run.”

I don’t agree that you don’t use your butt when walking. Rather, you can and, in my opinion, should walk with your glutes. In fact, if you use your glutes as the prime movers when you walk, you’re more likely to not overstride and put too much force on your heels when walking. I talk more about walking, barefoot or otherwise, here.

Now, I don’t think that everyone must run. Some like it, some don’t. And I don’t agree that we’re all meant to run long distance (Lieberman doesn’t discuss that here, but it’s something he and I chatted about). But it sure is compelling to see that we may be built so that we CAN run.

What do you think?

The content of this post does not constitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.

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I dare you to run barefoot! Or bigfoot. Or both!

Khanh scaling the Stratosphere Hotel in his barefoot sandals by Xero Shoes

What inspires someone to take off their shoes and run barefoot?

For Khanh Nguyen it was knee pain and the hope that barefoot running would help.

Once he got started, in bare feet and in Xero Shoes, he was on fire. He’s run 1/2 marathons, mud races and, most recently, he ran UP the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas in his Xero Shoes. AND, he did it in our Bigfoot, the Xero Hero costume!

Enjoy this really fun interview with Khanh, and see what motivates him to run (hint: his brother dared him!)

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The truth about barefoot running finally revealed in an Infographic

Barefoot Running Truth Infographic

Finally, all the statistics and information about barefoot running you need to know.

Enjoy! And SHARE!

(click to see full size)Barefoot Running Truth Infographic

Here’s my commentary on the infographic 🙂

The content of this post does not constitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.

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Bare feet, strong feet

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella and the Natural Running Center have put out a great ebook about the benefits of being barefoot and natural movement.

According to the NRC site, the premise: Healthy Feet = Healthy Running.

I’d add healthy walking, hiking, strolling, yoga, working out… and everything else you do on your feet.

The free ebook looks at a study done in 1905 by Dr. Phil Hoffman, where he compared the feet of barefooted and shoe-wearing (shod) people, and includes commentary on the study by Mark, Dr. Casey Kerrigan, and Dr. Phil Maffetone.

It’s stellar.

And did I mention: free

Click the image below to pick up your copy.

healthy barefoot running book

The content of this post does not constitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.

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Can I run barefoot in the cold?

I’ve posted a few times about running barefoot in the cold (or in Xero Shoes)… check out this link, for example.

But, inspired by a video I just received from Andreas Cederström in Sweden, I thought you would enjoy this:

(Pardon the lag between video and audio… weird Google Hangout effect)

You can find Andreas’ video on the Xero Shoes Facebook Page

So, yes, you can handle the cold if you:

  1. Warm up indoors first
  2. Adjust your running pattern — rather than a 5 mile run, do some 1/2 mile loops (getting warm inside between each 1/2 mile and, as you get more acclimated, make slightly bigger loops)
  3. Be smart! There are no bonus points for running barefoot on the snow to the point of getting frostbite. Add some toe socks or thick wool socks and a layer of protection, like Xero Shoes.
  4. BE REALLY SMART! If you get too cold. STOP!
  5. Give yourself time to acclimate — you’ll definitely get better and better at handling the cold over time.
  6. SERIOUSLY, BE SMART!!!! (get the hint?) 32-degrees (Fahrenheit) is rarely a problem for me… but ZERO… that’s a whole other story. “Dry” powdery snow is way easier to tolerate than wet snow. In other words, adjust to reality 😉

The content of this post does not constitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.

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Leg length differences and barefoot running

Can you run barefoot if your legs are different lengths?

This is a question I get at least once a week. And I think the answer may be surprising.

Watch this video that I made with Joshua Gordon about barefoot running technique and leg length issues (and a LOT more). Then leave a comment below with your thoughts.

Enjoy

The content of this post does not constitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.

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Running with the Tarahumara in Costa Rica

Jon-and-Mel-at-La-RutaWant to run with the Tarahumara (the Mexican tribe featured in Chris McDougall’s bestseller, Born to Run)?

Well, if you can’t make it to the Copper Canyon, or anywhere else for that matter, here’s the next best thing.

Ultra runners Jonathan Sinclair and Melissa Gosse went to Costa Rica for La Ruta 100k, arguably the hardest trail ultramarathon in the world.

About a dozen Tarahumara runners were there and Jon and Mel got to spend the better part of a week hanging out and running with them — as well as swapping huaraches and Xero Shoes, eating, drinking, and much more.

They’ll be sharing pictures and stories as well as giving great tips about barefoot running, minimalist running, ultramarathon training, and anything you can think to ask about.

You can also click on this link to watch live video chat we had with them a few months ago.

jonandmelissa-at-la-ruta-ultramarathon melissa-tarahumara

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Xero Shoes go to Costa Rica for La Ruta Run

Jonathan Sinclair and Melissa Gosse left the cold weather in Edmonton, Alberta and jetted to Costa Rica for the La Ruta Run, perhaps the hardest ultramarathon in the world.

We’ll have a full report about their trip and the race in about 48 hours. But until then, I wanted to share this quick story they told me.

Knowing that they’d be running with some Tarahumara runners, I gave them some extra Sensori Venture Xero Shoes to bring on their trip. They sent the photos, below, and report (from their phone):

We gave away all the Ventures you sent us down with. One to Maria (Tarahumara female who hasn’t taken hers off since I put them on her feet), the “presidents” of Chihuahua, Mexico (two men in this picture), Martin (spelling? “Head/leader” of the Chihuahua Tarahumara tribe…the one in this pic with us) and tonight, two local Costa Rican natives who will be running la Ruta with us on Saturday!!! Everyone is LOVING the Xeros. The presidents of the Tarahumara want to talk to you about getting some more for the Tarahumara back home to wear..how cool is that?!

The answer? VERY cool!

melissa-tarahumara

jonandmelissa-at-la-ruta-ultramarathon

We’ve proudly supported the Tarahumara through the Tarahumara Children’s Hospital Fund… but I love the idea of getting more Xeros onto runners’ feet! Stay tuned.