• Barefoot Walking 16th Apr 2011

    Barefoot walking and running has gathered some momentum over the last couple of years and it appears that it’s becoming ever more popular.

    Going barefoot, of course, is nothing new but the recent rise in its popularity is unprecedented and it seems there is a little more to it than just running without any trainers on.

    I am currently half way through the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. The book follows Christopher as he tries to figure out a way to run pain free. In the past whenever he attempted to run more, his foot flared up with pain.

    Searching for answers, Christopher stumbles upon the legend of the Tarahumara Indian runners, who run for miles upon miles with only small pieces of fabric strapped to the bottom of their feet with little or no injury: “…running shoes may be the most destructive force to ever hit the human foot” (p. 168).
    But the book is not just about going trainer-free. Many interesting characters are met along the way, each with their own running secrets and amazing athletic feats.

    Christopher’s inspiring tale, coupled with the rise in temperature in recent weeks, has certainly raised the likelihood of me peeling off my shoes and socks and seeing what it’s all about.

    For those of you who would rather take a more relaxed approach to going barefoot should consider joining Alison O’Neill on a free range walking holiday.

    Alison O’Neill walking barefoot in Cumbria

    Alison is a working shepherdess situated in Sedbergh, Cumbria and has long been an advocate of walking barefoot. She has devised specific Barefoot Walks that enable you to feel a range of textures on the soles of your feet, as well as incorporating barefoot elements into other walks.

    There are endless statistics that prove how, despite technological advances in the manufacture of running shoes, they seem to cause more problems for the feet and legs than they prevent.

    Of course there are disadvantages too. I’m sure many podiatrists and physiotherapists cringe at the notion of hordes of unshod feet pounding the pavements, where the risks include cuts, bruises and encountering any number of unsanitary obstacles underfoot.

    It is highly recommended that if you are going to start, start slow. This will allow thickening of the skin on the soles of the feet (nice thought) and adaptation of muscles and ligaments.

    Photo courtesy of Ryan Grayson

    And if you are going to start, be prepared – it will take some getting used to …

    By Rob

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