Barefoot running is a passion of mine, and has been for many years. There is a beach fairly close to where I live, one that stretches for a few kilometres to a river marking my usual turnaround point. I watch the tide tables on a regular basis, looking for convenient times on the weekends when low tide is predicted and schedule by barefoot forays accordingly. Having been out of town for quite a while, my beloved barefoot sessions were regulated to whatever grassy fields or parks I could find on my working travels. When possible, evening walks without shoes were a great way to end hectic days and soak up local culture, but couldn't replicate the joy of striding along a beach. So it was with much anticipation that I headed to the seaside on my return to home shores recently. Possibly the first thing I noticed was the sheer freedom, freedom of movement that is, indulging in a purely natural activity in the most natural of environments. That and my running gait adjusting to the ebb and flow of the waterline. A greater refresher in feeling and flow indeed.
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What do Brad Beven, David Hauss and Ivan Rana have in common? Well, apart from being globe-trotting world class triathletes, all three have raced barefoot at least once in their careers. Add to the fact that for Brad, David and Ivan, actually training barefoot has formed part of their training regimens at one time or another.
Now apart from the valuable time savings in the bike-to-run transition (as Brad employed at Bordeaux 1993), these guys have all developed the necessary strength to actually "race" barefoot from an early age. Brad once recounted how he would run (sans shoes) to school and back each day, not to mention running behind the harvester on the family farm in Mirriwinni for his formative speedwork. Much like Richard Murray's own barefoot 5km runs growing up on his family's farm outside Durbanville actually, a true "core" workout if you like.
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Barefoot running is not for everyone. And I fully understand that. Yes, the benefits are aplenty but to dive feet first into forefoot action is neither wise or painless. Just ask the many "zero-drop" converts during the minimalist craze of a few years back. But a regular amount of barefoot work, or simply being barefoot as much as possible, can go a long way in better foot function, and improved balance and health in general. And listening to Dr Mark Cucuzzella on the Primal Blueprint Podcast recently really reinforced this notion. Mark explains how simple barefoot skips, hops and short sprints play an increasingly important role in athletes of all levels, especially as they get older. Dr Mark goes on to add that one should feel pretty symmetrical and stretched out after running barefoot, and that these increments all add up to improved athletic longevity. And I second that.
Listen to Dr Mark Cucuzzella, the guy knows what he's talking about.
