Hi
I ran the Nottingham marathon in 2007 (cripes, that long ago?) and haven't really run (or done anything) since. I'm wanting to get back into it and fancy barefoot style (but probably with barefoot style shoes).
I'm 52, 6'6" tall, my feet are size 14 and I've a couple of lovely bunions (that don't trouble me). I've always had very flat feet, I use podiatrist prescribed insoles all the time. I did get a bit of hassle off one of my knees but nothing major.
I'm a slow runner, my marathon time was 5 hours .. I'm happy to take part, I'm really not competitive.
So my question is: is barefoot something I should just forget all about because it'll ruin my feet forever? Or, can I manage it if I take training really slowly. I took three years to build up to the marathon: 10k first year, 1/2m the next, then the marathon so I'd probably do the same.
What do you think? Barefoot or not?
(BTW, I have asked exactly this in one other forum where I'm expecting a more traditional runners' response. I wanted to ask here too to get the barefoot perspective.)
All the best
J
I ran the Nottingham marathon in 2007 (cripes, that long ago?) and haven't really run (or done anything) since. I'm wanting to get back into it and fancy barefoot style (but probably with barefoot style shoes).
I'm 52, 6'6" tall, my feet are size 14 and I've a couple of lovely bunions (that don't trouble me). I've always had very flat feet, I use podiatrist prescribed insoles all the time. I did get a bit of hassle off one of my knees but nothing major.
I'm a slow runner, my marathon time was 5 hours .. I'm happy to take part, I'm really not competitive.
So my question is: is barefoot something I should just forget all about because it'll ruin my feet forever? Or, can I manage it if I take training really slowly. I took three years to build up to the marathon: 10k first year, 1/2m the next, then the marathon so I'd probably do the same.
What do you think? Barefoot or not?
(BTW, I have asked exactly this in one other forum where I'm expecting a more traditional runners' response. I wanted to ask here too to get the barefoot perspective.)
All the best
J