running barefoot

How interesting! I recently saw a man running barefoot along the road, and was instinctively skeptical of his sanity - with all the shoe technology available to runners, who would choose to go natural? However, your post puts credibility behind his seemingly crazed workout and the newest fad for trendy runners: the "toe shoes." These glove-like shoes are formally known as Five Finger shoes and are marketed as the "Barefooting Alternative." Take a look! http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/. As an active runner, I have invested in cushioned and structured shoes to preserve my knees and joints from repetitive pounding on pavement. However, the rationale behind running barefoot (or almost barefoot) is quite logical. When I consider my own experience running track, the best spikes were always the lightest and most flexible - those that formed to my foot and delivered the barefoot feel. After all, less additional weight equals greater speed while running. So perhaps Five Finger shoes are more than a fad and the man running barefoot is just ahead of the times - we might all be barefooting along with him before we know it!