So there was this study published online on 9 January. Over the last few days, I’ve seen some articles about it, which all say some variation of “barefoot running is garbage”. I do not understand how anyone would have reached that conclusion based on reading the abstract, which look:

Endurance running may have a long evolutionary history in the hominin clade but it was not until very recently that humans ran wearing shoes. Research on modern habitually unshod runners has suggested that they utilize a different biomechanical strategy than runners who wear shoes, namely that barefoot runners typically use a forefoot strike in order to avoid generating the high impact forces that would be experienced if they were to strike the ground with their heels first. This finding suggests that our habitually unshod ancestors may have run in a similar way. However, this research was conducted on a single population and we know little about variation in running form among habitually barefoot people, including the effects of running speed, which has been shown to affect strike patterns in shod runners. Here, we present the results of our investigation into the selection of running foot strike patterns among another modern habitually unshod group, the Daasanach of northern Kenya. Data were collected from 38 consenting adults as they ran along a trackway with a plantar pressure pad placed midway along its length. Subjects ran at self-selected endurance running and sprinting speeds. Our data support the hypothesis that a forefoot strike reduces the magnitude of impact loading, but the majority of subjects instead used a rearfoot strike at endurance running speeds. Their percentages of midfoot and forefoot strikes increased significantly with speed. These results indicate that not all habitually barefoot people prefer running with a forefoot strike, and suggest that other factors such as running speed, training level, substrate mechanical properties, running distance, and running frequency, influence the selection of foot strike patterns.

What that says is that another tribe of barefoot runners uses a heel strike form rather than a forefoot or midfoot strike. What it definitely affirms is that there are more people who run barefoot.

I’m assuming the average MSN/Yahoo reader wouldn’t really ‘get’ a headline that said “Heel Strike Running May Be OK, Despite Recent Trends in the Running Community”. I understand that. But saying that barefoot running is garbage is also garbage.

neighborhoodr-denver:

If you have a regular running practice, whether it’s formalized with app-tracking software, or a more casual commitment to run four days a week, you might have taken it inside in recent weeks, especially if you live in the chillier part of the Northern Hemisphere.

It’s been cold outside,…

We are lucky in Denver, it was mid-50s and sunny today. There was snow/slush on the path but overall it was perfect for running this afternoon. How are you running in the winter?

1. Dress in layers.

2. Wear the right fabrics.   

3. Wear a protective shell.

4. Cover exposed skin as much as possible.  

5. Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to arrive home.

6. Always wear reflective gear when running after dark. 

7. Run short loops. 

8. Be careful rounding corners.  

9. Carry your cell phone, identification and some cash with you for an emergency. 

Runspiration for all. Especially since I’ve just decided to run another half in the Spring of 2012! What races do you all have to train for this winter (ugh)?

See also: Julia Chase-Brand A Leading Pioneer