I’m constantly asked, “if it’s so good, why don’t I see professional athletes running barefoot”.
It’s easy to assume that what professionals do in competition is what we should also do. However we never see these professionals in training, and for most runners, that is effectively all they do – train. So we really should take our cue from what the top athletes do in training and not be sidetracked by what they do on the track.
The original running shoes – racing flats – have spikes under the ball of the foot, and modern cushioned running shoes have rubber soles. Both these allow for increased friction between you and the ground. In turn allowing greater acceleration than bare feet alone. Therefore even the most ardent barefoot runner, will gain competitive advantage being shod in competition.
This advantage is more pronounced in shorter races. Short races involve sudden bursts of acceleration and sometimes quick direction changes, which the extra grip helps with.
The advantage diminishes in longer races. In long races it’s all about endurance; acceleration doesn’t come into it. If anything, the barefoot runner now has the advantage. Their running gait (even shod) is impact-free, unlike the constant pounding the shod runner experiences – 5,000 impacts an hour.
However, this is where we have the paradox. For a runner who trains barefoot and only wears shoes in competition, they will have the advantage over the always-shod runner. The barefoot runner’s feet are stronger and able to withstand more. Even in shoes the barefoot runner still runs in a barefoot style, taking full advantage of the more efficient bio-mechanics involved.
As a runner myself, I’m actually not interested in entering any competitions. Not 5k, 10k, half marathons, etc. I used to think I was interested in those events, but that was only because others did it and I felt the need to follow the crowd. It was what you did, wasn’t it? Well, no, that’s not what I do now. I run for my own fitness and pleasure; nothing else. So the idea of worrying about my times, personal bests, etc., is laughable to me now. Who the hell cares how long it takes me to run a certain distance? I don’t. I can still record this to monitor my progress, but I couldn’t care less if my time would be faster in shoes.
The paradox of increased short-term performance, at the expense of your overall long-term performance and foot health is an interesting concept,. One that tends to overshadow the benefits of running without shoes.