Barefoot Running

There was a time long ago, a time before man and woman knew what polyurethane or liquid silicone was, let alone that it would present itself in a "running shoe".

Our ancestors are likely to have run barefoot or worn a thin covering to protect their feet from sharp objects. If they were hunters they would've run a lot (unless they were clever) and the gatherers would've covered miles walking in search of fruits, seeds and plants. Unfortunately we can't ask if they got shin splints, developed ITB problems or suffered with Plantar Fascitis!

It's an assumption (probably a fair one) that if they weren't eaten by a wild animal, they would adapt to their surroundings, active lifestyle and the need to survive pretty quickly. You could consider our ancestors to be the first athletes. When they weren't hunting they'd be re-fuelling, recovering and interacting (in simple/primal ways) with each other. Something we all lack at times in today's world.

So why the anthropology lesson?

Well we are somewhat different from our ancestors. We no longer hunt, gather, rest, re-fuel or interact (I'm blogging this for example) in the same way. Our jobs prevent us from being active throughout the day (unless you are a trainer like me :)) and we are conditioned to eat at set times. As a result our bodies and biomechanics have changed.

We are told (correctly for some) that we need this shoe or that supplement to make us work 100%. We pay good money to be better without changing what is fundamentally the cause of our problems, our lifestyle.

If we changed how we sat, walked, ran, ate, rested or interacted it would have a dramatic impact on our bodies and our lives. Would we have need for expensive shoes and supplements if we focused on the ground up?

Everything we do should be done with care, slowly and with thought as to how it will affect us. But we should at least try. We should try to walk then run barefoot, try to eat with our health in mind, try sleeping less in the summer (enjoy those daylight hours) and see how it improves our lives.

This is just a suggestion from someone who is a tryer, can be trying, but always gives things a try :)

Go on just try.....

Barefoot run and walk for Beginners

Every others day head for a green space (it needn't be large), take your socks and shoes off (check for broken glass) and follow this simple session below. The aim is to take in what your feet feel, absorb your surroundings and enjoy the feeling of being 20 years younger!

5 mins total every other day.

Slow run with small strides for 1 minute, walk for 1 minute.
think about remaining upright, feet under your body with small strides, relaxed arms.

Build the time gradually, ensuring you stretch your legs; calves and achilles in particular after you've run.
Increase by 60 seconds per week. Forget about ramping up the time and remember what it was like to run as a kid; relax, run free, absorb everything!

Above all enjoy running for the good feeling not the challenge of more, more, more and SMILE :)

T :)