Running Without Shoes

"What’s with the bare feet?"

Some runners are tossing aside their cushioned, springy, supportive running shoes in favor of running barefoot. Others are opting for minimalist shoes that amount to thin-soled gloves for the feet. Barefoot running has been around awhile, but the best-selling book “Born to Run,” by Christopher McDougall is largely credited with prompting a new barefoot boom.

“Born to Run” paints a rich profile of the Tarahumara Indians, an indigenous people in Mexico known for their ability to run long distances in thin sandals without getting injured. The book not only explores the history and culture of the Tarahumara but also examines the physiology and evolution of running, culminating in a spectacular 50-mile race through the country’s vast Copper Canyon.

But it is Mr. McDougall’s conclusions about running shoes that have helped generate renewed interest in barefoot running and a backlash against traditional running shoes. In “Born to Run,” he makes the case that modern running shoes warp our natural stride, encourage bad form and lead to injuries. "

Not ready to bare it all? Try Vibram Five Fingers.

[http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/the-roving-runner-goes-barefoot/]