Diy Tarahumara Huarache Barefoot Running Sandals

Diy Tarahumara Huarache Barefoot Running Sandals

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"Invisible Shoes" Running Sandals Make Running Barefoot Safer

According to a Harvard University study published in the British science journal Nature on January 27th, running barefoot puts less stress on your joints. It may even be better for you and result in fewer injuries.

Inspired by Chris McDougall's book, Born to Run, about the Tarahumara Indians who run hundreds of miles without shoes, thousands of runners are kicking off their kicks and raving about how they've improved their running, healed old injuries, strengthened their feet and legs, turned flat feet into feet with arches, and much more.

Running shoe sellers counter with warnings like this one, sent in an email blast by Road Runner Sports on the same day as the Harvard study was published: "Barefoot running is a major injury waiting to happen," because of rocks or glass that you might step on.

Barefoot runners argue that you definitely get the occasional scrape or cut, but that the kind of obstacle that could cause a "major injury" is the kind of thing you would avoid, shod or barefoot. Further, they say, your foot becomes more sensitive and responsive when you're running barefoot, and it's possible to run over gravel without a problem.

Finally, they argue, the warning ignores the injuries seemingly caused by running shoes, like twisted ankles, that are less common once you remove your shoes.

And, as barefoot running sandal maker, Steven Sashen, reports, there's a happy medium: huarache running sandals, like the ones worn by the Taruhumara tribe featured in "Born to Run."

"We make a high-tech variation of huaraches running sandals, using a thin Vibram rubber sole, that gives you the closest thing possible to a barefoot feeling, while still protecting you from what could be on the ground." Sashen calls his barefoot running sandals, "Invisible Shoes."

Marathoner Scott McLean reports, "In Invisible Shoes, my feet feel like they're completely bare, and the world feels like it has a nice layer of rubber all over."

Another option is a glove-like shoe called the Vibram Five Fingers, which has a place for each toe to fit in.

How do Invisible Shoes compare to the odd-looking but enormously popular glove-like Vibram Five Finger shoes? Runner Jason Gustafson reports, "The Invisible Shoe is far better, much more like barefoot."

Other running shoe sellers argue that many people don't have the correct running form, or strength, or physical ability to run barefoot.

This argument is "putting the cart before the horse." Sure, it's probably true that, right out of the gate, many people's running form is not optimal for barefoot running. But the whole point of going barefoot, experienced barefooters report, is that you quickly develop the strength and the form required; your body learns to do what doesn't hurt.

And this is partly born out by the Harvard study. Once you take off your shoes, you naturally adjust to a different stride to minimize impact. And it happens that this stride is more efficient.

Running barefoot will be a new experience. Take it slow and easy at first and let your body adjust. And, possibly, try a pair of barefoot running sandals if you want some extra protection from the ground.

About the Author:
Pierre Jamout is an avid runner, now in a pair of barefoot running sandals
from www.InvisibleShoe.com. You can catch him (if you can!) on the
streets of Buffalo in his huarache running sandals, even in the snow!



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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