Cross Country Barefoot Encounter

Did you hear about the guy walking across the country barefoot?? Yes, you heard me correctly. Ron Zaleski is trudging across the US - BAREFOOT - to raise awareness about the need for mental counseling for all military personnel.

As a former military man himself, he is attempting to collect 1 million signatures for his petition along his back roads route to the west coast. The petition calls on Congress to mandate mental counseling for all military personnel.

Tuesday August 10 (just last week!) he passed through good ole' Buchanan, VA. Such a huge cause trampling right through our back yards. Our very own Roanoke Times had a chance to catch up with Mr. Zaleski and get an update on his journey.

Ron is giving everything he has to this cause including the health of his poor tootsies! Rex Bowman from the Roanoke Times reported that his feet were a "mess of broken skin and calluses." Not exactly the prettiest of mental pictures. He should definitely have stopped by to see us while he was in town. ;-)

Well, I just wanted to share with you a little about the barefoot walker's journey. If you'd like to follow him on his cross country trek, check out his website www.thelongwalkhome.org.

For more information visit our website www.roanokefoot.com

Shoes that are creating their own path in our world Part 3

Vibram Five Fingers


These are the shoes to wear if you don’t like wearing shoes! Vibram Five Fingers were made to protect our feet while giving them the freedom to biomechanically perform as they were naturally designed to. Before Five Fingers were introduced Vibram was known for their rubber soles introduced in 1935. Vitale Bramani, the grandson of the founder of Vibram, came up with the idea of inventing a shoe that simulates being barefoot. With a team of researchers and engineers, this grandson and grandfather duo, created Five Fingers and their popularity spread all over the world! These shoes promote muscle development and range of motion in feet and ankles as well as body awareness to our surroundings and the function of our feet. They come in several different styles for different activities as well as different colors for different personalities. Check them out at www.vibramfivefingers.com.

Barefoot Running... The Official Stance

The official stance taken by the American Podiatric Medical Association on barefoot running is as follows:

Barefoot running has become an increasing trend, and a possible alternative or training adjunct to running with shoes. While anecdotal evidence and testimonials proliferate on the Internet and in the media about the possible health benefits of barefoot running, research has not yet adequately shed light on the immediate and long term effects of this practice.

Barefoot running has been touted as improving strength and balance, while promoting a more natural running style. However, risks of barefoot running include a lack of protection--which may lead to injuries such as puncture wounds--and increased stress on the lower extremities. Currently, inconclusive scientific research has been conducted regarding the benefits and/or risks of barefoot running.

The American Podiatric Medical Association, along with the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, encourages the public to consult a podiatrist with a strong background in sports medicine to make an informed decision on all aspects of their running and training programs.

Barefoot Running

A new trend in running has taken off in recent years though it is not a new concept. People have been kicking off their running shoes to go au nautrale and enjoy the intense connection with the earth that they feel when running this way. Though there has not been a lot of conclusive research done to prove whether or not running shoes are beneficial.

Even with out the concrete evidence showing that barefoot running is better for you, barefoot runners swear by this lifestyle. Barefoot runners believe that with out the obstruction of a running shoe, the brain knows where to place the body and foot in order to run in a way that is most efficient and beneficial to the particular runner. The world was wowed in 1960 when Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila won his first of many gold medals running barefoot. Of course this was nothing new to him, but it caught everyone else off guard. Barefoot running was also brought to the world’s attention by European runner Bruce Tulloh and American runner’s Charlie Robbinson and Zola Budd.

Research done by Michael Warburton and published in Sportsscience journal entitled ‘Barefoot Running’ which can be found at www.sportsci.org/jour/0103/mw.htm has shown that running shoes increase ankle sprains, Plantar Fasciitis, and other shock related injuries. He also found that less expensive running shoes cause fewer injuries and fewer stressing points on your body than more expensive and advanced running shoes do. According to the article Amby Burfoot wrote in Runnersworld which you can read at http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319--6728-0,00.html, the brain is much more aware of your body and its surrounds when no shoes are worn.

Despite these findings, running shoes do have their advantages. Most importantly they provide protection. We live in a world filled with dirt, debris, and sharp objects no matter where you are running. Whether that is on a trial, a grassy field, on a side walk, or in a gym, puncture wounds are nothing to take lightly. These wounds can be very dangerous especially if they are not taken care of right away. Running shoes provide support for those with flat feet or high arches. Shoes also protect diabetics from foot injuries. Diabetics are strongly recommended not to try this style of running.

Barefoot running is a very controversial subject. Many people believe that humans should run exactly how they where made and not let anything get in the way of that. Others believe that shoe where invented for a purpose and are extremely important to wear. A third party believes that there is a happy medium between these views and has designed shoes that resemble barefoot running without the risk of puncture wounds. If you are going to start barefoot running make sure to take things very slow and consult your podiatrist before you start. If you don’t have a podiatrist, get one!! And make sure to go to regular check ups. If you are not sure if barefoot running is right for you, do a little research of your own and talk to your podiatrist to decide what is going to be the best running style for you.