Barefoot?

BAREFOOT RUNNING

The most common question I am asked on a near daily basis is...why barefoot?

So here is an answer to start you thinking...

As in all skill sports, correct technique is vital if you want to become proficient and avoid injury. Running is no different, although most of us don't consider having lessons in running.

In theory we shouldn't need to learn how to run as we are born with the innate ability to move quickly across the ground in an efficient manner - watch a toddler running around barefoot and their feet will contact the ground on the forefoot. Then watch amateur adult joggers pounding the streets and you will see an injurious form of motion that is not at all natural - landing on the heel while running is not what we are designed to do and as well as putting the brakes on with every step we are also sending excess shock up through the legs, hips and back causing many joint problems.

80% of runners are injured every year, yet running is one of the most natural things a human can do - something has gone wrong!

In a nutshell we have forgotten how to run thanks to the invention of overly cushioned and supportive shoes. Our feet simply need protection from the elements, they do not need support. In fact supporting the feet (our body's foundation) will weaken the feet and result in overuse of other muscles causing unnecessary injury. The cushioning in the latest state-of-the-art running footwear prevents the 200,000 nerve endings in the soles of our feet from sending feedback to the brain and controlling the way we move - imagine wearing mittens on your hands all day and trying to perform even the most simple of tasks! We rely on sensory feedback to enable us to be the amazing machines that we were designed to be. Dumbing down that feedback creates unnatural movement.

To improve anything in life there has to be change. To take a leap forwards with your running and to strive for a lifetime of efficient and injury free natural movement, you need to take a small step backwards and remember how to move as a child. Barefoot.

Jonno Gibbins - VIVOBAREFOOT Technique Coach

Wild Night Run and Exeter Half

I'll be running in the Wild Night Run on Feb 9th and the Exeter Half Marathon on the 10th - it's an opportunity to promote VIVOBAREFOOT both during the events and on the VIVOBAREFOOT stand.

Check out the details here:

Wild Night Run: 
http://wildnightrun.co.uk

Exeter Half: 
http://www.ironbridgerunnerevents.co.uk/exeterhalf/

Come and see the VIVOBAREFOOT team for info and advise on running techniques and products.

See you on the run or on the VIVOBAREFOOT stand!

New Barefoot Training Clinics

Barefoot running is getting a real foot hold in Cornwall - so much so that I am now offering running clinics at the following locations:

Truro - Trizone Triathlon Store

Penzance - Bolitho School

St Ives - St Ives Leisure Centre

By popular demand there will also be weekly running evenings to keep a check on your barefoot technique and make sure that you are on the right track.

Monday eve is Touch Gloves (Penzance) running club night and Wednesday eve is St Ives TRACC running club night.

Drop me a line for further info!

New Testimonial

"I have been barefoot running for about five years injury free and thought I didn't need a coaching session however decided it wouldn't do any harm as I know my standing posture can be pretty poor so I imagined it would affect my running posture. I now recommend these sessions to anyone considering barefoot running or has been running for a while.   I learnt so much and it is only due to very good luck that I haven't picked up an injury because my technique was less than perfect.  I valued Jonno's gently encouraging style and now enjoy my running even more as well as having a bunch of exercises that have helped me loosen up and improve my posture standing, walking as well as running.  If you are considering a session - do it!"   

Thanks again

Russell

Elite Athlete Testimonial - Cassie Patten

Cassie Patten is an Olympic Bronze medallist in the 10km swim and won silver at the World Champs too - having retired from competitive swimming she has recently announced her intension to turn her focus to Triathlon, particularly Ironman. 

Obviously her swimming is amazing so she should be first out of the water but that's where the work begins as Cassie has spent her life swimming with limited biking and running. 

As we know, technique is everything and I was only too pleased to be able to help Cassie with her running form which once perfected will give her an efficient and effective run off the bike.

We will be working all winter on technique but this is what Cassie had to say after our initial session:

'I have been a competitive swimmer my whole life until injury forced me into retirement and onto dry land. I wanted to take up running to stay fit, but due to poor running technique I  kept suffering injuries. I was recommended that I visit a running coach by a friend who competes in Ironman so I contacted Jonno and had my running assessed and filmed. Watching it back I was amazed how heavy footed and laboured it was. After an hour of drills and skills I was filmed again and it looked like a different person. In fact I looked and felt like I was running like a rhino at the beginning of the session - after which I was transformed into a gazelle! I am now planning to compete at Triathlons myself and I highly recommend anyone who wants to improve their running to contact Jonno for their own running transformation.'

Watch this space for regular updates!

Barefoot Brownlees

I'm often asked if any well known athletes run with the barefoot technique and my reply is always the same - the fastest and best elites in the world all run with a natural and barefoot technique - it's just that they wear shoes and don't call it 'barefoot'.

Here's a perfect example - the Brownlee brothers, currently the World's most talented Olympic distance triathletes...awesome technique allowing them to run at insane speeds having already done an intense swim and bike ride.

Check out the following video and spot the upright posture, forefoot contact and barefoot drills.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/triathlon/4od#3415567

The Debate Goes On...

Not many people on this planet will argue with the body's natural biomechanics - apart from maybe cushioned running shoe manufacturers and podiatrists. But even they are coming around...

So what do you think?