Running Barefoot
Sunny weather makes outdoor exercise all the more appealing. In a bid to be more at one with the elements, this week I decided to give ‘barefoot’ running a go. This type of training is said to offer relief from chronic injuries such as sprained ankles, shin splints, tendinitis and foot pain, allowing the foot to strike the ground as nature intended. I’m not quite brave enough to go completely without footwear, if I did I don’t imagine I would get further than 5ft from my front door without sustaining a nasty injury. Instead I’ve been testing out latest barefoot shoes, the closest thing you can get to no footwear at all. My new Kigo’s (www.lovethoseshoes.com) weigh just 5 ounces and you hardly know you’ve got them on but yet there is enough of a sole to protect my feet from pavement debris. If it feels odd to start with persevere, it takes around 4-6 weeks for your foot to regain it’s natural movement, say scientists, so start gradually and build up. If you’re not a runner, barefoot walking is also perfectly acceptable and offers the same benefits and protection from injuries, it can also help you to improve your posture too.
