Winter Barefoot Running – Is it for You?
By Barefoot Rick Roeber
Winter barefoot running. Just the name evokes absurdity and foolishness in some people’s minds. For those who might not immediately dismiss it as insanity, there might come the question “Why?” Well, in response to that I say, “Why not?” Some people can’t understand why people climb mountains or why others jump out of perfectly good airplanes. Most of the time I simply tell people who ask me “Why,” is “Because I can.” Most choose not to do so, for whatever reason, which is fine with me. I like doing things no one else chooses to do.
For those of you who fall into this select minority of runners who choose to defy convention, then you’re probably still reading this and would like to find out more regarding cold weather barefoot running. For the others, I have nothing but good will toward you and wish you well as you plow through the snow and frigid temps with your “portable earth.”However, the remainder of...

Member Profile of the Week
Olle "Blind Boy" Albinsson
A Little Moderation is in Order
Olle Albinsson, known as Blind Boy on our forum, joins us from the charming coastal town of Luleå, Sweden, where he has been a resident for the last 6 years. He is 27 years old and originally from Uppsala, Sweden. Olle is currently enrolled as a student at Luleå University of Technology where he is studying computer game development and is halfway to receiving his MSE (Masters degree in Software Engineering).
Olle is a self-proclaimed pacifist who has two young children and a cat called Bossa. Apparently, in keeping with his kind nature, dust bunnies are also considered pets in his home, and he claims there “are more than I care to count.”
While he only took up running again recently, he’s been a runner for six years, currently running both barefoot and minimalist. As far as favorite running stories go, he says, “I don’t have a specific one, but I remember how I...

The Invention of Shoes, By Bulbus Buggins
By Barefoot Jake

Once upon a time, a boy named Fredo Buggins lived in the land of Piddle Searth. His people, the Habbits, had been around for hundreds of thousands of years and were quite advanced as a culture. They built sturdy shelters, developed complex tools for hunting and gathering, educated their young Habbits, and lived long lives. They walked and ran everywhere, and they wore nothing on their feet.

Fredo was a typical 16 year old Habbit boy. He went to school, did his homework, and played outside until his mom called him in for supper. Fredo's favorite games were throw the log, catch the log, jump over the log, roll the log, and see who could carry the log the farthest and the fastest. Fredo wasn't the best at these games, but he was better than most. And he'd play and play until his mother got tired of calling him and would drag him out of the forest.

Fredo's friend, Nudley, didn't like playing log games. His...

24 for 24 Hour Run for the Homeless
October 29 & 30, 2010
By Barefoot Rick Roeber

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Track surface technology has certainly evolved throughout the decades. I imagine that dirt tracks were the first to be engineered. Then, came cinder tracks which gave athletes the benefit of surface stability along with better drainage and drying capability. Then, we saw tracks evolve to harder surfaces such as asphalt and concrete. Over the past couple of decades, we've seen the introduction of the rubberized track surface. Originally, these were created with a somewhat smooth surface -- not exactly ideal for wet conditions as they would sometimes add to "slippage" for runners. While a liability for shod runners, these were ideal for barefoot runners. (I have recommended these in the past to new barefoot runners.) They afforded a smooth texture and additionally a somewhat cushioned surface to run...