How bad is it to run in your barefeet?

[SaigonK]

I used to run, and I started again, but I have not had time to go and get some new sneakers.
I used to run in my bare feet when i was younger (allot younger that is! like 10 years ago) and I dont rememebr it making my calves and ankle hurt.

It is only the first three days though..so maybe it's the inital shock?

 

[Chaotic42]

I dunno. I used to run around in the woods barefoot all of the time. Shouldn't be any real problem, I wouldn't think.

I just wouldn't do it on pavement, I think the shock might be too much.

 

[SaigonK]

Running on the treadmill, no pavement for me.

 

[GiLtY]

I tend to be a worry wart when it comes to running barefoot, always scared of running onto a pin or something pointy. I'd just get a pair of comfortable shoes and run.

--GiLtY

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: SaigonK
Running on the treadmill, no pavement for me.

Well, all I know about it is that the physical therapist told me that running on pavement is hell on your knees if you don't have quality shoes. I'd really rethink running on anything hard with out them.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: SaigonK
Running on the treadmill, no pavement for me.

Well, all I know about it is that the physical therapist told me that running on pavement is hell on your knees if you don't have quality shoes. I'd really rethink running on anything hard with out them.

IF you're seriously going to run, screw the sidewalk. I ran on the bikepaths during highschool and few bikers could pass me up. Grass was the preferred choice, but it took more energy, as was sand. These give you a lot of cushion so that your knees/ankles aren't exposed to as much force with each step. Next choice was blacktop/street. Sidewalks was last resort. When you're running about 200 miles a month, anything helps.

 

[Pilsnerpete]

I don't see how it could permanently hurt you. There's a tribe in Mezico that runs without shoes, yet they run really fast. Probly some ppl in Africa do it too. Some folks don't have $150 to burn every 6 months, ya know?

 

[Angrymarshmello]

There's less cushioning for your feet, which in turn impacts your knees. You could do some damage later on. But the main thing I'd be worried about is crap on the floor where you're running - broken glass, rusted metal, razor blades, etc etc. It's not the smartest thing to be running barefoot anymore

 

[Corporate Thug]

its bad to run on bare feet. it'll make your feet rough

 

[Kipper]

Blacktop is supposedly soft enough to run on with bare feet. It's concrete you have to worry about - so in other words, run on the street, not on the sidewalk.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: Pilsnerpete
I don't see how it could permanently hurt you. There's a tribe in Mezico that runs without shoes, yet they run really fast. Probly some ppl in Africa do it too. Some folks don't have $150 to burn every 6 months, ya know?

They run on grass, dirt, or sand. Definitely not harsh concrete sidewalks.

 

[Pilsnerpete]

blacktop gets WAY too hot to run on in the summer. Also, it's denser than dirt and grass (obviously). Concrete is denser than blacktop. I wouldn't run barefoot on either. I'd find a nice open field with horses and mice running around free. Oh, and Lady Godiva would be riding a horse. There I would run barefoot. Also beaches are nice to run on.

Anyway, on a treadmill, you shouldn't have any problems running barefoot.

 

[Sid59]

prolly not bad for feet. but you are missing arch support and really hurting your knees.

 

[alocurto]

its gonna make your feet wider I believe

 

[FoBoT]

ever heard of Zola Budd ?

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Pilsnerpete
blacktop gets WAY too hot to run on in the summer. Also, it's denser than dirt and grass (obviously). Concrete is denser than blacktop. I wouldn't run barefoot on either. I'd find a nice open field with horses and mice running around free. Oh, and Lady Godiva would be riding a horse. There I would run barefoot. Also beaches are nice to run on.

Anyway, on a treadmill, you shouldn't have any problems running barefoot.

Check between your toes after running barefoot in that field!

 

[erub]

I've run a couple marathons in the past 6 months, and I can't stand running on a treadmill - its much worse for my knees than sidewalks are. Don't know why. You can get a decent pair of running shoes for $60-80. Well worth the investment, you want to be paying huge medical bills months down the road?