Move 4: Shoeless Running
Pros
These are just facts, there is no opinion to them. But my opinion is that the negatives of shoeless running outweigh the pros. But shoeless running might not just be about the benefits physically you get from shoeless running. Reading the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. Shoeless running is about more than the facts. It is about our bodies being made the way they are for a reason, to survive. He states “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.” A gazelle doesn't need shoes to run away because it is running away for its life. You will learn to do certain things after time, like striking the bottom of your heel to the ground before your toes.
Pros
vs.
Can strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the foot and ankle because it is not relying on the shoe as much for support.
Without the heel of the shoe it can help reduce injuries by letting the muscles stretch in a more natural position.
When running barefoot it can force you to land on your toes as opposed to landing on your heel. Landing on your heel causes unnecessary pressure on your muscles and ligaments.
Running Barefoot can shock your bodies foot and cause unnecessary pain for a period of time.
If you have no pain while running and existing issues what is the problem? There is no reason to change.
When you start shoeless running it will be a shock to your body. It will cause the muscles in your foot and connected to your foot to become overworked giving you a greater risk for injury.
