No Shoes, No Problem? Barefoot Runners Put Far Less Stress on Their Feet

[Peikko 1,575]

hookworms can infect dogs and cats, so the part about the grass is moot.

Yes, they can, but those hookworms only live in cats and dogs, not humans.

Of course, they can cause problems incisting, but they can't sustain a life cycle - that was my point.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You'd have to run differently barefoot, you'd be more careful about how you place your feet. I can't see how you could do a whole marathon like that on asphalt.

You'd end up with hobbit feet.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

When I ran track in high school we were often urged by our coach to run barefoot on the beach for better conditioning of our feet and legs. We couldn't run barefoot on the track because it was too bloody hot in Louisiana, but the beach was great. Plus the sand acted as a natural pumice stone so our feet were super smooth.

Oh, just walking in sand feels like your feet muscles are getting a massage...right down to the toes.

[scandal 951]

Nike. Just Don't Do It.

[SMR 368]

So for the morning run I decided to try this out. I can't really run barefoot without suffering frostbite, but I can say there are definite advantages to just making sure the ball of your foot impacts first. It does tire me out faster, though. But that might just because my legs aren't used to it.