Global Sports: Barefoot Running - Tips For Beginners

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Barefoot Running - Tips For Beginners

By John Harris


How To Go About Barefoot Running

The most talked about thing in the running populace today is barefoot running. It is aimed at using the body's bio mechanics to run faster and better without the risk of injuring one's self.

Articles on barefoot running have been published in various newspapers and magazines like the Science Daily and The New York Times which proves its rising popularity.

There are a lot of reasons why people take up barefoot running. While the majority of people are concerned with preventing injuries, others just want to experience how it is to run barefoot like the people in ancient times. Everyone is welcome to take part in the sport whatever your reasons may be.

Right Gear for Beginners

Since you are used to running with shoes on, it is unwise to go running with no shoes on immediately. To lessen your chance of injuring your feet, you need to use a pair of minimalist shoes first to let your feet adjust to the changes.

One of the most popular brands of minimalist shoes is the Vibram Five Fingers. They are able to provide protection from chemicals and hard or sharp objects on the ground which can cause injury.

How To Start

A day or two wearing the minimalist shoes is enough to make your feet familiar with them.

For the first day, run only 3 miles at the most. Let your feet get accustomed to the feel of running without the cushion of the usual running shoes. The way you run will be affected and you will learn a new running style.

Wearing minimalist shoes is very different from running barefoot, they are more natural to use because nature intended for us to run this way.

Actual Barefoot Running

After getting yourself familiar with the techniques of barefoot running, you can now go and try the real thing, to run with no foot gear. Observe your body and how it reacts to the exercise. This will prevent you from pulling a muscle but if you feel that you are, you can stop or walk slowly instead.

Before running on pavements run on dirt roads first. They are softer ground that will not harm your feet. Be consistent and run in shorter races before gradually going on to longer ones.

Barefoot running is a great sport and it is the most natural way to run, certainly a most enjoyable sport for both men and women.




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