step one

I quite like running, and cycling (of which there is /s/bicycles) and other forms of activity away from a computer. The irony of wanting to talk about things away from a computer on a computer is not lost on me. Nevertheless, I wrote down some thoughts on running and thought others might have their own so created this sub.

Jul 08 · 6 months ago · 👍 chenkar, Nexy

7 Comments ↓

Nice. I routinely run a couple of miles a day, barefoot on a treadmill. I find that when wear shoes it's impossible not to slam on the heel, but barefoot I never bottom out and my feet don't hurt.

I always assumed my knees or hips would be the lumiting factor as I age, but it's my feet that hurt and make it umpossivle unless I am very careful

I love the article you wrote. I used to run cross country in high school, and last summer I completed a try-a-tri that I had trained all winter for. I had never thought about the road slope causing imbalance. Then again, I preffered to run trails. I also have experience barefoot, and totaly agree with taking it easy at first. You need to not only build up the calouses, but also feel out the proper form and foot setting to avoid hurting yourself. I still find myself occasionally going for a walk around the block barefoot helps me remember to be more aware of my posture and steps when I am wearing shoes.

Nice article. Love the sub. I am a very casual runner (I pretty much use it as a way to have time to myself and with my thoughts without being bothered by anyone).

I don't think I could run barefoot: I need thick soles even for walking because my feet are quite arched (perhaps from doing ballet as a child?) - so the more support and bounciness, the better for me.

I do not like to run indoors on treadmills. Even if I try to distract myself with watching something or listening to podcasts/music, I still get bored very easily.

Feel the same about indoor running, I can just about force myself to cycle in doors on rollers when my seasonal allergies are too bad to be out but the disconnect from my love of trail running is too much to run on a treadmill.

Regarding arches, I have medium high arches too and its walking and running barefoot that gives me the foot strength to be able to continue. Always wearing supportive shoes, is what leads to weak feet. Breaking the viscous cycle takes “baby steps”, trying to walk around the house barefoot, if you’ve never done that before, then stepping up.

@sbr do you run without any sort of shoe on? Or do you wear a minimal shoe? If so which one? If truly barefoot, what surfaces do you usually run on? I imagine asphalt to be too hot during the summer

@citySlicker depends on weather and training (foot strength), from bare to cushioned I wear

• Bare foot
• DIY huaraches
• Xeroshoes z-trail
• Merrel trail glove 7

If warm and I am trained, full bare foot for a short run < 5km, otherwise huaraches.

If warm and less trained, hurraches, otherwise Xeros if lazy or longer runs.

If its a bit cold/wet Xeros, colder/wetter Merrels.

In general try to run as little as possible on asphalt, short trail is 1km from my home, long trails are 2km from my home.

Running on a treadmill is a form of masochism, but is easily accessible. With my current level of focus issues, I find that I don't run unless I can just pop on the treadmill for 20 min and go about my business a couple of times a day. I don't even get sweaty.