Why barefoot isn’t best for most runners

>"If you run for recreation/fitness for any length of time, you will get injuries (minor or more significant), no matter what footwear you use."

As secretary/treasurer of the local chapter of RunningSucks(TM), I concur.

When I'm prep'ing for a Death March* it is just miles and vertical feet. And walking the dog and watching the eagles fly by. But when I read of BPL runners preparing for R2R2R or Trans-Zion, etc, it's "I had never run that distance and due to an injury", "assuming I stay healthy and avoid burnout", "minor cramping but none of this suffering I did the last couple times", etc.

(*That's between one and two marathon lengths in a day with a heel in contact with Mother Earth at all times.)

To each their own. HYOH, RYOR. For me, the injuries I see happen to others in running, alpine skiing, tennis/handball aren't worth possibly impairing my hiking, backpacking and nordic skiing.

But then, I've got mostly slow-twitch muscles – born that way and reinforced by my activities. Some of you may literally be wired differently.

I will run if there is food, a large angry predator, or a rugby ball involved. Other than that, forget it.

I consider marathon running an extreme sport.

Uh, getting defensive about something, there, Craig? :)

And you should quote those studies in a better way. How do we know which is cause and which is effect? Maybe the men who aren't impotent are just generally healthier, and thus more likely to run?

Not that I'll in any way dispute the health benefits of a regular aerobic workout, mind you. I just detest running. Thus, running sucks by definition… :)

I'd rather hike than run. I'd rather bike (for real, not an exercise bike) than run. I'd rather row than run. I'd rather walk on glass barefoot than run. Etc.

I mean- it's just so damned BORING. That's really what gets me. For instance, I detest running less when I am trail running as opposed to road or track running. A little. Because at least the scenery is more interesting and changing, and I have to actually navigate, etc. And that's why bicycling isn't as boring to me- because at the higher speeds you much pay a bit more attention, and traffic will certainly keep you on your toes. (That's why I do my biking at 02:00 on Saturday morning. The drunks add a little spice.)

Hmm. Bicycling is not a good choice regarding impotence, though… :)

Running is too much effort for too little ROI plus over time it may slow your metabolism, cause muscle catabolism and leave you fat (or skinny-fat) and weak. You can achieve a lot more with less with a progressive heavy lifting program and 2 or 3x a week 15 minutes of high impact intervals for conditioning.

If running is your sport of choice, though, then you have to run. But don't bet that it makes you more healthy or more virile than other forms of exercise.

"Running is too much effort for too little ROI plus over time it may slow your metabolism, cause muscle catabolism and leave you fat (or skinny-fat) and weak. You can achieve a lot more with less with a progressive heavy lifting program and 2 or 3x a week 15 minutes of high impact intervals for conditioning."

Seems a bit of a sweeping statement, but could be true, I have no idea.

The benefits of running outdoors would seem to outweigh those of sitting in a Gym with weights. This coming from someone who does not run but gets all their exercise outdoors.

>"Bicycling is not a good choice regarding impotence, though… :)"

They dangle for a reason, huh?

"Running is too much effort for too little ROI plus over time it may slow your metabolism, cause muscle catabolism and leave you fat (or skinny-fat) and weak. You can achieve a lot more with less with a progressive heavy lifting program and 2 or 3x a week 15 minutes of high impact intervals for conditioning."

That depends entirely on what your goals are. If you want to move far and fast in the mountains, for instance, or far and fast anywhere for that matter, you will not achieve that goal with heavy lifting and/or 15 minute high impact interval sessions 2-3 X week nearly as well as by running, if at all. As for leaving you fat or skinny fat, slow your metabolism, etc, I'm flat out calling BS on you. I ran for 20 years. Hard. And I am none of the above, now or when I was running. Same goes for hundreds of runners I was around for years.

+1 Tom.
Piper's been drinking too much Paleo Crossfit Kool Aid.

"Piper's been drinking too much Paleo Crossfit Kool Aid."

Is that the stuff they make from dehydrated umbilical cord or placental blood?

nm

"I would wager Piper could out squat and deadlift both of you. You should be kinder."

Ah, David, I've missed you. ;0)

I concede defeat.

I have never done a deadlift in my life.

nm

Oh Pirates. I thought he wrote Pilates.

nm

I think a combo of aerobic and anaerobic exercise/activity is probably generally best for most health wise.

I actually like jogging, though lately i don't do it often or far enough. For me, it's very meditative, i sort of lose a concrete/very sharply defined sense of self, and that's a feeling/space i actually kind of enjoy.

Extreme running (marathon etc type) may be hard on the body in some ways. Don't know for sure though.

Here is how i know running helps backpacking. I use to hike with my best friend somewhat regularly. Back in the day, i was working hard manual labor jobs like loading trucks at Fed ex, etc. But more importantly i think, and for longer and more consistently, i was regularly jogging every other day (no great distances though). My diet was slightly better than my friends too.

I could usually leave him in the dust hiking back in the day. He was on average more sedentary.

Fast forward, we don't hike together that often anymore since i moved from MA to VA and he still lives in MA. We planned the great White Mountain N.H. adventure last year. I had stopped jogging regularly, but walked everyday, plus did some other stuff with the occasional backpacking/hiking.

My friend, started jogging a couple of months or so before the trip , including some hills stuff (and has been doing yoga for a little longer).

My diet at this point is MUCH healthier than his (though his has definitely improved since the old days). However, he kicked my butt hiking, it was the reverse of the old days and i expect it was because he had started jogging a couple of months or so before hand. Granted, we were carrying similar amount of weight (both too much, which sort of led me here), and he is 3 to 3.5 inches taller, plus heavier than me, so that didn't help but then again i'm unusually strong for my size and always have been since little (and without working at it).

Aside from getting in shape, I just run for the pure joy of it! It's human way to fly.

I don't do cross-fit. Cross-fit is stupid. I do a progressive barbell strength program and I suck at it. Yet I never felt stronger and more capable hiking in Glacier National Park this summer. I can squat my body weight and bench press more than half my body weight. I'm pretty mediocre. Having more strength and more muscle allows me to eat other things besides dry salads and bird-like portions of diet food. Maybe some of you men never experienced the slowed metabolism but I have. This other way of doing it is awesome. I only have to go hiking once a week. I don't have to feel guilty I'm not able to hike 4x a week.

Nm

I wish that I could run–feet issues make it impossible. Just go out the door and it's on. I do walk briskly up hills; I doubt that this can match the beauty of a runner's smooth glide over the ground.
But no worries, swimming is at least as fine as an exercise. I also do some light weight work outs in the gym, and use the elliptical/stairmaster for more intense aerobic workouts/weight loss. All of these have the advantage of not stressing my joints, which running does. Oh, and of course there's Nordic skiing, which I don't count as a workout because it's so much fun!

I agree with those who stress the importance of an aerobic workout; I certainly need this just to get ready for Nordic skiing. Weights help too–there's a lot of upper body work in Nordic skiing.

I think I heard that swimming, Nordic skiing and rowing are the only sports that utilize both the upper and lower body more or less equally. Someone will probably correct me here.

I think I heard that swimming, Nordic skiing and rowing are the only sports that utilize both the upper and lower body more or less equally. Someone will probably correct me here.

If true, that would explain why they are my go-to if I need cardio. You can pry my Nordic Track from my cold dead hands. :)

I've always preferred the Tarzan approach: mountain running, climb, swim (ocean), surf, freediving/snorkeling/spearfishing, etc.

I've always done very poorly motivating myself to do contrived workouts, swim laps, run laps, do weight lifting sets, etc. I find that sort of thing absolutely depressing. Fortunately I'm close enough to both the ocean and the mountains that i don't have to find myself stuck at home or going to gyms to do something physical.

That's my ideal place, close to both the ocean and mountains. As it is, I have about a 2 hr ride to either one.

Nm