Barefoot Running

 

Toe Shoes

In a previous hub, I addressed the spiritual applications of running as understood from my own experience. About a year ago, I began this highly productive sport in more ways than one. This hub will address a more practical aspect of running. 

When I started running about a year ago, I wore a pair of Nikes I bought in high school. They were $40.00 for a pair in 1982. They were not in perfect shape. I quickly realized good shoes were essential for running. 

I researched the best shoes online and stumbled across the "Five Finger Toe Shoes." They looked ridiculous, yet I wondered why anyone would make a shoe like that. I decided to buy a regular pair of ASICS running shoes and wait a while to see whether these shoes were simply a fad or what they claimed to be. 

I had forgotten about them until my husband and I were in Atlanta in March. A man stepped into the hotel elevator where we were staying, wearing a pair of the "Five Fingers." I started researching again, since I had hip joint problems from running. I thought maybe this would help. On the way home, I decided to get a pair after reading many great reviews.

Benefits of Barefoot Running

The main idea of the shoe is to simulate running barefoot. It was discovered that Kenyan runners who have run barefoot all their lives were less prone to running injuries than runners who wear shoes. 

One of the reasons they believe is that barefoot runners are more likely to strike the ground with a flat foot or the ball of the foot, which causes less impact on the body as a whole, whereas 75% of shoe runners strike with the heel first, which creates a collision-like impact on the body. 

Another benefit of barefoot running is that toes can spread, improving balance and agility while running. 

"Five Finger" shoes have no cushioning. Foot-to-ground contact is the shoe's whole principle. You might think regular tennis shoes' cushions soften impact on joints, as many runners experience, but the opposite is true. Our natural, God-designed foot does an excellent job of calculating and adjusting the type and strength of impact with the ground compared to cushioned shoes. I have personally experienced a much lighter and more efficient run. 

Barefoot running strengthens the foot, ankle, and calf muscles, which I believe helps protect the body and ease shock distribution. 

The only issue I have had with the shoes is that I run on gravel, and at times I can feel the uncomfortable prod of stones, but I think this is natural and helps me run much lighter. Another issue would be the looks I get when I wear them in public. 

One question I get is whether I mind having something between my toes. I must say, I don't. It is like wearing a glove on your feet. I enjoy wearing them around the yard, hiking, and general walking. These shoes let your foot move naturally over different surfaces. They also allow your toes to grip when needed, which cannot be done in a regular shoe. 

They also make toe socks that can be worn with the shoe. Some suggested buying a larger size, since the shoe should be snug when worn sockless. I didn't have a problem with that while wearing a thin sock, but I did buy a thicker pair of socks for winter and an extra pair of "Five Finger" BikilasLS (style) that lace up to accommodate a thicker sock while keeping my standard size. 

The shoes are easy to wash, and they dry quickly. It is only recommended that they not be put in the dryer. 

I tried wearing my regular shoes while running, mainly because the road was wet and the "Five Fingers" tended to wick up water, and I concluded I would probably never run in regular shoes again. I realized how laborious the regular shoes made the whole experience. 

Spiritually speaking, I think it is a great lesson. We always try to cushion everything in life, believing we are protecting ourselves from pain. When attempting to soften everything to avoid difficulty, we create a whole host of other problems. 

Man is always trying to improve upon what God has already perfectly designed. 

Scriptural Motivation for Running 

These are some motivational scriptures I refer to for inspiration for both my physical and spiritual run.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

— I Corinthians 9:24-27

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

— Hebrews 12:1-2

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might
He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

— Isaiah 40:28-31

I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall enlarge my heart.

— Psalm 119:32

For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.

— Psalm 118:29

“Draw me after you and let us run together!

— Song of Solomon 1:4

© 2011 Tamarajo