The elephant on the Greenway...why do I run barefoot?
This question is usually asked of me more through perplexed facial expressions than orally. I smile as I run barefoot with my little elephant down the greenway, and as I give a wave to each oncoming runner and walker, I read the question in his returned smile and raised eyebrows. Sometimes I see the question in her dropped jaw as I turn to say “hi” to a fellow runner I’ve apparently snuck up on and scooted around. My feet are almost always turning over twice as fast as do those shod with clod hoppers. By the time I’ve lapped my fellow exercise addicts, I can tell my methodology has been discussed and someone in each little group has been appointed—should they see me again—to raise the question of my barefoot elephant.
“Doesn’t that hurt?” is spoken a lot.
“Not right now.” And I smile.
It is in my nature to smile at people and wave “hi.” I like to see people happy, and my smile often helps uncover their smile. The added benefit is, folks see I’m not in pain. The elephant hasn’t stomped on my toes. That’s important. Especially if I’m traversing rocks, gravel, twigs, glass, or other objects that—in their minds—could leave a trail of blood behind me. I don’t pretend to imagine these shod runners and walkers fear for my safety, since they don’t know me and I could just be crazy, so much as they fear what could happen to them if they shucked their shoes and ran unshod.
So why do it?
Mostly, because mud between your toes feels fun. Mud on the bottom of your shoes doesn’t elicit a “feel.” Running with knees VERY bent and using your legs as shock absorbers makes your legs feel powerful. Your knees don’t hurt during or afterward. For me, running into concrete or asphalt with the heels of cushioned shoes is jarring to my 48-year-old joints. Even the thickest heel cushioning causes me pain in my shins and knees if I heel-strike into the ground (that’s why I call it running into the ground, instead of running over ground).
What works for me may not work for you. That’s a given. But that said, I do believe we were created with a body born to run, and given a brain that enables us to do so safely. I’m not married to running barefoot any more than I am married to running shod. The terrain, my intended speed, and my intended distance govern to what degree I protect my feet—much as we all vary our degrees of clothing for each season and the elements.
The constant in my running is that no matter what level of protection I employ—mere thick skin underfoot, minimalist shoes, or thick zero drop trail shoes—I run as I was born to, with a natural forefoot strike and bent knees. This methodology helps ensure that every run feels good.
That’s why I don’t mind running the greenways with my little barefoot elephant. Because for me, an elephant on the greenway is a ton of fun
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