Global Sports: Barefoot Running Basics

Friday, April 27, 2012

Barefoot Running Basics

By Ladarius Fitzgerald


It doesn't matter what barefoot running system you use, there are several vital rules you must preserve.

Under no circumstances heel-strike! The heel strike is among the most potentially injurious issues with traditional running. Sadly, you have probably been heel-striking all of your life. Since you now are a barefoot runner, those days are long gone. Learn land on the middle of your foot when running. Your stride probably will be shorter, but this is good. It will take your foot and leg muscles a while to adapt to the suitable type of running, so don't get discouraged if you can't run as lengthy or as far as you could before. When these muscles are adapted, your running will never be better.

Make sure you learn proper form. Just because you've been running around since you were a kid, it doesn't mean that you know how to run correctly. Athletes in every sport have coaches that teach them specific techniques both as they're beginning and throughout their career. It just doesn't make sense to run mile after mile if you don't know what you're doing. Proper form has lots of little adjustments that need to be made, but here's the basics: First, the midfoot strike. Learn to land on the balls of your feet. It's OK for your heel to touch the ground, but it should never be the first part of the foot to make a landing. Secondly, keep your stride short. What you're basically doing is running in place while leaning forward. This allows your stride to work with momentum, rather than against it (like when you heel strike). Lastly, listen to your body. You feet will be the best indications of whether you are running correctly or not. If you feel pain, don't be afraid to stop for the day. It is far better to run a little with perfect form, then to run a lot with poor form.

Ditch the Nikes! Ultra-cushion? Just say NO! If you want to run efficiently and damage free, you will have to ditch the traditional running shoes. These footwear promote the heel-strike and go against healthy running form. People usually buy these shoes because giant shoe providers (we won't identify names) devote millions to commercials convincing individuals the newest shoe is the very best. This simply isn't correct.

Don't get cut! Most of us run on sidewalks, public tracks, along with the occasional discipline or trail. Irrespective of where you run, there is a good probability there will be some unfriendly things on your path. Stepping on glass, sharp stones, as well as smaller pebbles can leave gaping wounds on your toes an leave you laying in front of the television until the wounds heel. To solve this, you have to have a pair of barefoot shoes that shield your feet without the messing up your landing and stride.




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