One Man’s Take On Barefoot Running
According to Britain's leading barefoot running coach, it's all about form.
Form is key, says ones of Britain’s leading barefoot running coaches.
Taking part in an ongoing series by The Telegraph about finding the best ways to stay in shape, reporter Miles Dickenson tried out barefoot running.He became aware of the concept after reading Christopher McDougall’s bestseller, “Born To Run,” and decided to give it a shot. Dickenson consulted Lee Saxby one of Britain’s leading experts on barefoot running. Saxby put Dickenson on a treadmill and observed his form. “You look like the average jogger. You’re running really badly,” he said.
Saxby then put the reporter back on a treadmill and had him watch a metronome set at 180 beats per minute. “What I want you to do is get your step in rhythm with the beat,” said the coach.
“Free from the constraints of £150 [$230] trainers, with “air-cushioning technology” that encourages you to run hard on your heels, I feel my entire gait change,” recalls Dickenson after he tried out barefoot treadmill running.
Saxby urges caution when first starting out barefoot. “It’s easy to pick up injuries in the first six months of running barefoot. Although you can run without anything on your feet, specialist shoes offer sensible protection. Training is key,” he advises.
For More: The Telegraph