Comments on Half-Fast - half witted at best.: Unnatural

I don't know how I feel about barefoot running bec...

2009-09-16T10:59:58.446-06:00

I don't know how I feel about barefoot running because I have not tried it, but the analogy to baseball is wrong. Running is a natural human activity. Baseball is not. See how we cannot compare them to produce valid arguments?

I dunno. Why not just run barefoot and let the ca...

2009-08-29T07:47:17.267-06:00

I dunno. Why not just run barefoot and let the callouses on your feet take the beating instead of froking over money for vibrams? I have a friend that wears them. They are beyond crazy looking. She swears they feel good. Of course she doesn't run which makes me wonder why she has them in the first place. Anyhoo... Meat paste? What is meat paste?

I agree. I'll take my Sauconys anyday. Forget the ...

2009-08-28T17:52:38.108-06:00

I agree. I'll take my Sauconys anyday. Forget the biomechanics..what if you step on a rock? Or in gum or glass??

"Is it possible that clever product development, b...

2009-08-28T16:14:39.152-06:00

"Is it possible that clever product development, based on theories and concepts, have actually forced the body into a "wrong" response that has increased injury risk in the long term? And is there a chance that if we just left physiology to its own devices, and managed every case individually, we'd be better off?"

I think you misinterpreted that article a bit, based on the excerpt above. They seem pretty clear that from a biomechanical standpoint, barefoot is a pretty solid option. Also, given that injury rates have actually increased in the years of modern footwear, it's certainly plausible to think that we should just leave things alone.

Barefoot running isn't for everyone, for sure ... but just because you don't "get" it or don't see the benefit, you probably shouldn't speak out too harshly against those who do. There's room enough on the playground for all of us.

"I had injury problems early on, and it became app...

2009-08-28T13:31:38.173-06:00

"I had injury problems early on, and it became apparent that my biomechanics could cause injury. So we did foot strengthening drills and special walks in bare feet."
"I was a size twelve and flat-footed, and now I'm a nine or ten. As the muscles in my feet got stronger, my arch got higher." - Alan Webb

"Nature" gave me flat feet and ITBS. I'll stick wi...

2009-08-28T11:42:54.573-06:00

"Nature" gave me flat feet and ITBS. I'll stick with my orthotics.

@Thinnmann: You're still getting bamboozled if you...

2009-08-28T11:25:25.822-06:00

@Thinnmann: You're still getting bamboozled if you're buying "barefoot" shoes by paying for something you got for free. Sack up and go barefoot for real.

Bare feet (even the well-kept, fresh pedicured kin...

2009-08-28T11:11:41.369-06:00

Bare feet (even the well-kept, fresh pedicured kind) are nasty. Plain. And. Simple.

One exception. Baby feet. Now bare baby feet are adorable. If you are a baby, feel free to run barefoot.

When Bowerman was inventing the modern day running...

2009-08-28T10:58:24.358-06:00

When Bowerman was inventing the modern day running shoe his thinking was that by landing on the heel your stride length would be longer, thus you would be able to run faster. Thus, not natural.

Even with shoes on, I land on my midfoot. What I love about the Vibrams is my feet have gotten considerable stronger and I do about 15 miles per week in them.

A few years ago the Podiatrist told me to avoid being barefoot to help with my plantar fasciitis. At the time if I went barefoot in the house, on hard floors, my feet ached after 5 minutes, thus I put shoes on.

Now, I go barefoot all the time. You know what, my feet got stronger and they no longer hurt when I go barefoot. Foolish podiatrist.

The other strong point in McDougals book is the more cushion you have on your feet the harder you will land, because your body is looking for a firm spot. Thus, less cushion in your shoes = less impact.

Your legs and muscles should be absorbing the impact when running and if you think a piece of foam does much to absorb 10x your body weight, you're wrong.

All I know is that the guy I saw wearing the vibra...

2009-08-28T09:47:22.081-06:00

All I know is that the guy I saw wearing the vibrams at a business conference with a shirt and tie, looked kinda funny....

No funny comment here. Just: Agree agree agree ag...

2009-08-28T08:00:52.020-06:00

No funny comment here. Just:

Agree agree agree agree.

I really think that a LOT of people wear those just to say that they do or to participate in the fad.

Either way, I suppose, I'm glad they are getting out.

I sure as heck hope those "natural" runners don't ...

2009-08-28T07:02:20.690-06:00

I sure as heck hope those "natural" runners don't wear tech fabric....hypocrites!

That was funny. Even funnier is the fact that you...

2009-08-27T22:38:40.421-06:00

That was funny. Even funnier is the fact that your google ads are feeding me ads for vibram shoes! Barefoot is best and everyone knows it but is afraid to admit that the shoe companies have bamboozled us for so long...

Amen. Feet like hands creep me the hell out.

2009-08-27T21:33:55.482-06:00

Amen. Feet like hands creep me the hell out.

Agree about the Vibrams - I was tempted but don't ...

2009-08-27T19:47:32.179-06:00

Agree about the Vibrams - I was tempted but don't think I could tolerate the ridicule from my wife. I'd only wear them if I was dressing up as the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
If your son was a caveman, he would have learnt to throw his rock (or his spear) straight and hard or he would have died. Survival of the fittest.
I think you will find that his initial problem with throwing was probably due to his English heritage - how is his catching?

I run in Vibrams, and I'm training for a marathon ...

2009-08-27T19:25:53.260-06:00

I run in Vibrams, and I'm training for a marathon in them. Naked. All those high heeled running shoes totally screw up your feet.

Also, chicks think Vibrams are cool.

And high-heeled shoes look stupid and overly inflated.

Like Pamela Anderson's fake breasts.

Oh. Wait.

Following the that's the way our ancestors did it ...

2009-08-27T16:32:19.232-06:00

Following the that's the way our ancestors did it (or would have done it) argument, wouldn't baseball be a hoot?! Pitcher throws a rock, batter swings with a stick or a dinosaur bone, outfielder dies when the stone hits him right in the forehead. You'd have to have a pretty deep bench to sustain a 162 game season.

Love the quote from "The Princess Bride" in your t...

2009-08-27T15:19:49.728-06:00

Love the quote from "The Princess Bride" in your tag! And with such an appreciated reference, I cannot argue with you.

No kidding, Viper. Especially when the REAL natura...

2009-08-27T14:33:00.347-06:00

No kidding, Viper. Especially when the REAL natural thing (your actual bare feet) are free! I mean, if you're going to preach "natural" then go all the way with it at least.

Besides that, the only thing they make me think of are hobbits.

I just don't understand why I should buy shoes tha...

2009-08-27T14:03:33.766-06:00

I just don't understand why I should buy shoes that simulate barefoot running at similar prices as non-barefoot shoes.

And don't those Vibram things remind you of those slipper socks with the grips on the soles? I just got an idea ...

I disagree with both approaches.

2009-08-27T13:51:17.682-06:00

I disagree with both approaches.

primitive women didn't wear bras either. That woul...

2009-08-27T12:27:37.973-06:00

primitive women didn't wear bras either. That would create havoc at races I think...

You don't understand. It's all part of a multi-pha...

2009-08-27T12:24:07.792-06:00

You don't understand. It's all part of a multi-phase marketing plan to sell you performance enhancement. Phase two comes in the form of woolly mammoths to chase and saber tooth tigers to run away from. They will guarantee that the tiger will improve your 800m time. At least once.

I might believe the proforma, except I have a hard time believing there is repeat business.

I think it is interesting that science cannot agre...

2009-08-27T12:14:50.841-06:00

I think it is interesting that science cannot agree on this issue. I am a "Minimalist" Runner out of necessity (biomechanical issue) and it works for me. That said, I fully agree that Minimalist Running is not for everyone. In fact, I would recommend that if any Purist starts in on why running natural is better, just nod your head, smile and excuse yourself to go get another beer.

Primitive man didn't wear pants, either.

2009-08-27T11:33:14.348-06:00

Primitive man didn't wear pants, either.