BAREFOOT RUNNING

Dear all,

running barefoot is a good base for learning to run proper, even though the notion of proper technique is not established yet among scientists, coaches and athletes. So we are using in our explanations something what we think is a proper technique, but no one yet got the final truth or proof, particularly those who are asking about the scientific proof. We are operating more with our experience, intuition, limited knowledge, beliefs and passion.

And now barefoot running comes as a major component of learning the proper running technique. It looks to me as the next modern twist, the next panacea. It happened in history many times before. For some reason or even without any reason at all, we are jumping in the direction of something looking very promising, but by accepting something as a major component we are deviating from the balance and harmony of Nature, which has all its parts coexisting as one whole.

Barefoot running is a part of this, but not the main one and not obviously a whole. It doesn't substitute for the proper running technique, where the leading role of gravity is the main way of providing for the ability of the body to move forward.

Barefoot is a good tool to develop better perception of the body weight, support, muscle efforts related to the body weight location on the support and consequently muscle strength of the lower extremities.

But at the same time, barefoot running doesn't guarantee a proper body position on support, proper interaction with support, and proper muscle efforts in space and time. Particularly this concerns the pulling action of the support foot from the ground, which was never a consciously accepted part of technique in the history of running.

Barefoot running doesn't create proper patterns of movement, but it is a good base to develop one. In the same way we are using any other things, which are useful for developing the proper movement. It could be shoes, weights, rubber bands, partner's help etc., but under one condition - that we are still assisting gravity.

I hope I'll be understood right with this statement for the further development of our vision of "perfect" running, which I am dreaming to see in each one who loves and is passionate about running.