Barefoot Walking

I'm really enjoying running bf and minimal, but I haven't quite gotten the hang of bf walking. I've been running with my wife how is new to running in general, doing run walk run stuff. The running is fine for me, but during the walk portion she likes to walk quickly, which just doesn't work for me bf. It seems I only have one bf walking speed.

Any advice?
 
Could you be abit more descriptive as to why you think you can't move at different speeds when walking? It seems very likely that it is a technique issue that you can iron out via discovering how to move your body in a more efficient manner. Personally I prefer running over walking, unless I am planning to be out for over 2hours. Why don't you just run as she walks?
 
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I'm really enjoying running bf and minimal, but I haven't quite gotten the hang of bf walking. I've been running with my wife how is new to running in general, doing run walk run stuff. The running is fine for me, but during the walk portion she likes to walk quickly, which just doesn't work for me bf. It seems I only have one bf walking speed.

Any advice?
Could it be that you haven't develop your heel calluses yet, and so it's a bit uncomfortable walking at a faster pace? I've been walking around barefoot for a long, long time. Seems you should be able to walk at a brisk pace unless the surface is rough, in which case you may favor more of a flat-footed landing, which would be slower than a gentle heel-striking pattern.
 
Thinking more about it, I guess my question is more basic. What is good barefoot walking form? I've heard arguments for both heel strike and forefoot.
 
I
Thinking more about it, I guess my question is more basic. What is good barefoot walking form? I've heard arguments for both heel strike and forefoot.

Generally, My barefoot walking consist of landing with a relaxed foot, pressure on the front of the heel, then a very quick transition to the inner forefoot. My knee is stabil yet slighty bent. My hips and chest are vertical with only a slight appearance of a forward lean. It doesn't consist of a rear heel pressure or tense foot at landing. Only in very awkward unusual circumstances does it change.
 
I hear you on that one, big difference in heel pressure when running as opposed to walking. For me and a lot of others I find running easier then walking. I do try to use a lighter pressure when walking but it took quite a while to get used to it.
It's funny. I can walk forever barefoot, but keep butting up against a limit with the running. I guess my heel is in better shape than my mets.
 
Lee, my feet do not hurt walking, but I am very aware of heel striking. If I use B&A approach to walking I feel (and look) like a prancing horse.
I guess I don't understand. Are you saying barefoot walking is harder than barefoot running because you weren't used to heel-striking? For me, barefoot walking is easier than barefoot running, because (1) I'm already used to it, (2) don't ever get hurt doing it, and (3) can do it all day without getting very tired.
 
No what I am saying is my barefoot walking form is way different than my running form. I am a heelstriker when walking (get some minor scuffing on forefoot if I am out for a long walk), but it does not give me any discomfort. To walk the way B&A suggests I feel like a prancing horse.
 
No what I am saying is my barefoot walking form is way different than my running form. I am a heelstriker when walking (get some minor scuffing on forefoot if I am out for a long walk), but it does not give me any discomfort. To walk the way B&A suggests I feel like a prancing horse.
Yah, heel-striking is the natural gait for walking, unless you're walking over a rough or dangerous surface. There's a couple of really nice biomechanical descriptions of the transition from walking to running, all of the differences and the hows and whys of switching gaits as the increased velocity makes walking impossible. I wish I had bookmarked them.
 
Why am I different?
I always used to ask my mom this, finally she said....you are special, not different....I still didn't get it :p
 
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