On Running Shoes

So back in 2011 I read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall and was struggling to balance my experience with the new information contained in this book - great read by the way.  Here's a look at my thoughts on the topic.

Under ideal conditions, I agree that barefoot is best. If I still inhabited the northern woods and lakes of Minnesota I would only have flipflops (for going to the store) and winter boots (a survival thing). My feet would be covered in pine pitch and I would feel the earth in my soles. 

But NYC is dirty and really gross. So I wear shoes. I practice martial arts barefoot on old, unforgiving hardwood floors. I leave my shoes at the door of my home. I still drive barefoot when I can get away with it. I am lucky. I grew up running around on gravel roads- shoes were for going to town only. I have those muscles, that arch still. 10 years in NYC has lowered it a bit and my tootsies are far more tender to barefooting the outdoors.

So what does that all mean for you? Tender feet should get some cushin and do their little feety exercises to strengthen the atrophied, neglected group of 20 muscles in each foot so that some days you can chase your kids across the lawn without stopping to lace up. So that in time, you can wear those cute lightweight sneakers everyone is selling. So that with a little work you can buff up those puny muscles to protect your delicate dogs from injury. It can be done.

Step one- Pick up your laundry with your feet. Or get some marbles, drop them on the floor and pick them up with your toes. Take off your shoes when you get home. Walk on the earth- soul to sole as much possible. Do some Yoga. Pay attention to how you feel. Keep your feet warm. 

We aren't all ready to toss our cushy trainers for the barefoot. But we were all born to be. Like everything else I see in my practice, this is an area we can work on.