Barefoot running predictions for 2011

The last two years have brought an exponential increase in the popularity of our favorite activity. What about this next year?

We already know of some major events, such as:
  • The release of some really good minimaist shoes,
  • International Barefoot Running Day,
  • The release of Born to Run in paperback form (April),
  • The expanding of barefoot running races (Naked Foot Races, Pineland Farms race, the VFF divisions of various races, etc.)
So... what are your predictions?
 
Personally, I think barefoot

Personally, I think barefoot running will remain a tiny niche in the running community, and I don't think there's anything wrong with it being a small group.
 
I've have a pretty cynical

I've have a pretty cynical prediction about bfr for 2011. A lot more people are going to read btr and buy minimalist shoes, partly due to the book, but also due to the availibility. And a lot more people are going to get hurt doing too much. Bfr is going to get a lot of flak for it even though it doesn't deserve it. I see a year of polarization.
 
Abide wrote:I've have a

Abide said:
I've have a pretty cynical prediction about bfr for 2011. A lot more people are going to read btr and buy minimalist shoes, partly due to the book, but also due to the availibility. And a lot more people are going to get hurt doing too much. Bfr is going to get a lot of flak for it even though it doesn't deserve it. I see a year of polarization
I think you are right about this. I think initially, people who were drawn to barefoot running were a little more careful about it, just because it wasn't being done by a lot of people, so they had to kind of feel their way in the dark slowly. I don't think you can just jump into barefoot running, especially if you're doing it in "barefoot running" shoes.
 
The Born to Run movie is

The Born to Run movie is supposed to start production this year, or so the rumor mill says so, and once it comes out, in the next year or so, I say chances are good that BFR and MR will really take off and become more mainstream.
 
I hope barefoot running

I hope barefoot running becomes more underground again. I personally don't like the popularity of it, it seems to much of a novelty now. I was right on the cusp of when barefoot running just took off. I started running barefoot a few months before "Born to Run" came out (even though that book is not a barefoot running book), and really had no clue how much of an impact it was going to have on the running community.



I actuallly think in two years barefoot running will become less of a forefront topic. I think the summer of 2011 will see even more barefoot runners, with 100x times more injuries. I agree with Abides post.
 
That is why it is so

That is why it is so important we keep warning people about the risks of TMTS, especially in minimalist footwear, because we all know that BFR gets the bad rap when it comes to injuries involving minimalist footwear.

To me, the book BTR is a book about running, running in a more natural and healthy way, and that way (when conditions allow) is truly barefoot.
 
My prediction is that most

My prediction is that most runners whether in minimalist or traditional running shoes will no longer think that BFRunners have succesfully made the full BF transition, instead they will act surprised that we have'nt yet heard about the myriad of "better than barefoot" shoes and try to educate us.
 
I agree TJ. It's one of the

I agree TJ. It's one of the reasons I don't recommend VFF's or anything for that matter. I will only recommend barefoot and only if someone asks. I never would encourage bfr or mr unless someone has an open mind and takes responsibulity for their health.
 
I actually discouraged one of

I actually discouraged one of the elite runners in my shod running club from wearing the VFF KSOs he purchased. He is a true elite, starts ahead of the pack, and has posted times of 5:30 and 6:00 minute miles, over the long run. He's one of the Army's cross country star runners. I asked him if he was being injured in his traditional running shoes and racing flats, and he said no, not at all. They cause him no pain and no injuries. I told him it was best to stick with what he knows, since if it ain't broke, don't fix it. He ended up selling the VFFs to a local shoe retailer in town (per my suggestion) who was/is low on VFF stock for a store credit. :)
 
Longboard wrote:My prediction

Longboard said:
My prediction is that most runners whether in minimalist or traditional running shoes will no longer think that BFRunners have succesfully made the full BF transition, instead they will act surprised that we have'nt yet heard about the myriad of "better than barefoot" shoes and try to educate us.

Yes I have to agree LB... I think that will be a worse conversation than just being called a dumba$$.
 
I will always advise people

I will always advise people who want to switch to BFR and/or MR to start out completely barefoot avoiding shoes at all cost and making the sacrifice to their speed and distance upfront, to avoid TMTS injuries and learn proper running form. But it they cannot make that sacrifice, then I will advise them to run barefoot as much as is possible (as far as health and safety are concerned), then only don footwear when conditions are not safe to do so. BAREFOOT FIRST. FOOTWEAR AS TOOLS. LEAST SHOE FOR THE JOB. (Thanks, Jason!)
 
Three predictions 1, The

Three predictions

1, The no barefoot rule in ironman will be removed from the books.

2, This one is from angie bee, barefoot on the fashion runways will become a solid fashion trend.

3, I will not be the only bfr in any of my races.
 
Ahhhhh I agree! In Vogue this

Ahhhhh I agree! In Vogue this month they had a blurb on the barefoot trend (showing a woman in a high-high-HIGH heeled hurache!) ... yes, I read Vogue. It's for the clothes, not the shoes! Lol.

But I think there's hope for the next generation. Younger people seem to be embracing moccasins and barefootedness at a rapid pace. College campuses full of barefooters, what a lovely sight that would be. We may have the next wave of hippies on our hands...?

BUT, in common society I think Dr. Howell will still be made fun of (embraced in only certain circles.) More people will be injured in VFFs, but a slim few will transition with half a brain, go slow, and enjoy them. Still...I don't think many people are excited to shuck their shoes. I think we will remain in the vast minority, especially those who wear NOTHING on their feet as opposed to minimalists.
 
 for health reasons I think

for health reasons I think that one can't go wrong with strengthening the feet by being barefoot. And for fashion to take this step its cool with me.

I think its great the barefoot will make a fashion statement. Wouldn't it be cool if broccoli and whole foods were in fashion...... For years and years barefoot was a status symbol of poverty. We all know that not to be true but ingrained prejudice is hard to kick. This year we will see some free piggies that will desensitize us from seeing them more often.

It will eventually become normal to see barefoot runners ect. As for this year, I don't know how much of it will come about this year. Books, movies, shoes, it will fade but become part of normal.
 
VFFs become mainstream. 

VFFs become mainstream. Fashion enters another dark age, similar to the 80s (although with this whole Ugg boots over your pants thing, I think we're already there). We look back on the VFF trend in 2020 and laugh.

Meanwhile, I will still be the only barefoot guy in Maple Grove (except for startupagain...although even though we only live about 5 minutes away from each other I've never seen him).
 
1. Many runners will purchase

1. Many runners will purchase the new minimal shoes in the spring.

2. "Born to Run" will get renewed interest from the paperback edition.

3. More will try BFR/minimal.

4. Injuries will increase due to TMTS.

5. A backlash will occur against BFR.

6. A new wave of shoes will come out to counteract BFR injuries.

7. The Nike Waffle trainer is introduced as the answer to foot problems.

8. Welcome back to the mid 70's and the cycle begins anew.
 
Results of my 2011

Results of my 2011 perdictions

pbarker said:
Three predictions



1, The no barefoot rule in ironman will be removed from the books.



Sadly this rule has not disappeared like the dinosaurs



2, barefoot on the fashion runways will become a solid fashion trend.



Not sure about this one, as I do not follow fashion , no idea why I made the prediction. But the minimal market is over a $billion



3, I will not be the only bfr in any of my races.



This one was close I did nine races and in 8 there were other barefoot runners :)