Running/Walking experts....question about shoes....

[Tammy]

If I ran on a treadmill....would it be ok to go barefoot? Are shoes really necessary?

I walk on the treadmill barefoot all the time....so would it be different to run barefoot?

Tammy

[Mad Charity]

First of all, I wouldn't run barefoot. I need to support and, well, ouch. Now, that said, I read a neat article several (2?) years ago in Runner's World about a guy who runs whole marathons in his bare feet and he swears by it. He also is big on dirt / barefoot running. I have seen people running at marathons barefoot but I've never talked to any of them to find out why. Remember when aerobics videos first came out? I think Jane Fonda did her first video in bare feet. That's kind of funny to think about now. Why do you want to run without shoes?

[Tammy]

I hate shoes....especially on a treadmill....it seems as though the shoes kind of get 'caught' on the treadmill.

It seems so much easier to go barefoot for me....maybe because I am just used to it?

Tammy

[Mad Charity]

I think you should run however you feel more comfortable. I think as long as you listen to your body and stop when something hurts, readjust or whatever... I just could never argue with some one who is doing something healthy and doing it in a way that feels right to them.:o

[ccm]

Could you try racing flats? I think that's what they're called. Sprinters use them and I believe they are lighter in weight and have thinner soles. I personally would not run on a treadmill without shoes because of support issues and possible injuries (plantar fasciitis, catching your toe on the treadmill, etc.).

I hope someone knowledgable about the subject will chime in. I'm curious, too. :)

Cyrena

[chickenpatty]

LOL, at the rate my treadmill chews up my sneaker soles, it might be a good way to get some exfoliating done, if you were to run barefoot. Personally, I prefer sneakers:)