Jim_W says:

Hi all,

For Christmas I received Christopher McDougall's book, "Born to Run". It was absolutely amazing and has changed my whole approach to running. I'm now focusing on changing my stride (better posture, improved balance, mid-foot strike as opposed to heel striking), essentially unlearning a bunch of bad running habits I picked up over the years.

Has anyone else read the book? I'd be keen to hear your thoughts about some of McDougall's ideas - the 'Running Man' thesis and his advocacy of minimal and barefoot running etc...

I've been inspired to do some barefoot running myself (just on grass at this stage) to help strengthen my feet and improve my stride.

Anyone else out there thinking about barefooting?

 Jim_W says:

One thing about barefoot running so far has been not being able to use my Nike+. Where does the foot chip go!

For those keen to check out McDougall's book go here: www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest/dp/0307266303

 Muddy4DSM says:

Jim - that exact question is what brought me to this website. If you think of anything that might work, I'd love to hear it! I have a pair of Vibram KSO's on order and there's a strap across the top that should work for now, but truly barefoot when the snow melts is going to be a problem!

 Jim_W says:

Muddy,

The strap on the KSO's should work with a pouch, but I was thinking I might try strapping the chip around my ankle (much like a timing chip in a road race). I'll let you know how it goes, but I'm thinking the accelerometer will not work as well attached to the ankle.

Fortunately, we don't get much snow in Sydney, and given it's presently summer, barefoot running is quite pleasant. That said, I'm keen to try out some Vibram FF's and I'd be interested in how you find the KSO's.

Jim.

 Jim_W says:

Did some berefoot intervals this morning with the Nike+ chip on my ankle. It recorded a distance of less than half of what I actually ran. I'll try recalibrating it next time, but I think that the accelerometer just doesn't work on the ankle. Perhaps it works best (ironically) on or in the shoe when you run with a joint-jarring heel-strike!

 MikeNYC says:

Hi Jim, Muddy,

I am not running barefoot (yet!) but have used the Nike+ chip on my ankle for more than a year. I did not use Nike Shoes (still do not) but wanted to use the chip. So I bought a pouch that had to be laced to a shoe. OK if you use one running shoe but a hell of work if you use several. I stitched the pouch on to a triathlon ankle chip holder (aligned 90 degree compared to how it would be in a shoe and also tilted 90 degree compared to the shoe - can someone understand what I am talking about :-) ). It worked pretty well for me (the usual 5% - 10% inaccuracy depending on my pace) BUT ONLY if I positioned the chip on the shin rather then on the ankle...

Hope that helps, regards
Mike

BTW: I am also very interested in running with Vibrams - especially since I am currently suffering under Achilles Tendinitis (sp?).

 Jim_W says:

MikeNYC,

Thanks, yes - that makes sense. It seems it really is just an issue of calibrating the chip to work off the ankle rather than the shoe. That said, I've begun to get a little sick and tired of the Nike+ and am thinking seriously about getting a Garmin or Polar this year. That's a whole other story - I'm not sure about the issues barefooting would pose there.

The barefooting has been great. I experienced a little muscular pain to start with in my feet the next day, but I put this down to the muscles in my feet getting used to being used without all that cushioning. After three weeks, the next-day muscle pain has abated, and I can definately feel the increased strength in my feet already. I've also noticed the impact this has had when I do road and trail runs in shoes also -assiting with better form etc.

Jim.

 DCL0772 says:

Guys I have bad news to report for you, even if you get your chip to work (sometimes) on your ankle or your KSO it will only work *most* of the time because your stride and cadence change while you run due to terrain that you dont normally pay attention when you are running with shoes and changes to your footstrike with each step it really messes with the Nike+ sensor. Also depending on where you run you definatally want to look at Vibram or other minilimist shoe just because of the stuff that you *could* step on. I use my KSO on about 70% of my runs just because of that reason.

Also due to the Born to Run book alot of people are getting into the barefoot running thing... please be very cautious and understand that you really HAVE to relearn how to run. Start slow go on a familiar run and i would even reccomend doing the C25K program even if you regularly log a ton of miles a week. Be patient be careful and love your runs!

 Jim_W says:

DCL,

I'm taking barefooting slowly and carefully - as you say, there's a lot to relearn - hence my only running on grass for the time being, and mixing it up with road runs wearing shoes. The aim at the moment is to simply strengthen my foot muscles and get them used to a new way of running.

I imagine I'll go for the minimal shoes (Vibrams) etc when I move onto the road eventually.