Barefoot running - what you need to know.

Barefoot running gives pause to most people who are comfortable running in shoes all their lives, because it goes against the principle idea that "good shoes prevent injuries".

Here are some articles that might help bring some light into the matter:

1. Mechanics of barefoot running
2. A recent study on barefoot running
3. A comparative study on shod vs. barefoot running
4. Against barefoot running 

I am still ambivalent about barefoot running, but I am putting in moderate training in barefoot running to judge for myself if it works out for me. Currently, my experience seems to indicate that barefoot running stresses the lower calve muscles and wears out the skin of the front foot ground strike points.

Barefoot running

I attempted my first barefoot run this morning. The stadium was closed down for some event, so I had to try it out at a smaller park near my place.

I was fearful of getting cut by glasses, punctured by nails / twigs. It turned out that my fears were unfounded (yet!), despite taking some risks in stepping off the path into the grass. I paid more attention to where I was stepping too!

The most significant difference from shod running is the footstrike. Instead of landing on my heels, I land on the balls of my feet - which strains my calves and feet muscles.

On my way back, I ran on tarmac which were much rougher on my feet.

It was an interesting experience! Although I was lucky not to have got myself cut or hurt through the run. I would give it another shot and eventually try a 10km on barefoot running.