Once upon a time, in a land not so far away (as in I’m writing this blog from it right now) a young-ish gal (me) with what some have called a nice set of hooves (me = braggart) dated a young-ish (but not so young as I – *lashes fluttering*) man who had a fairly well developed foot fetish.

“Did someone say feet?”



(Yes… yes… somehow we knew our trusty foot-mascot Dr. Awesome A. would make an appearance. Hello Dr. A. – welcome.)

While I was absolutely okay with his whole foot fascination, I was not okay with him repeatedly telling me not to cruise about (outside or in) in my bare feet. (Hey! I keep my gals pedicured and pumiced and that should have been enough.) I was unwilling to ever forego the gloriously cool feeling of grass under my toes or warm pavement underfoot (and I don’t really do ‘well’ with being told what to do) so needless to say, that relationship ran its course.

So with a touch of nostalgia, I have to admit that I couldn’t help but think of him and his foot reverence when I read about a recent barefoot trend that seems to be gaining a tiny bit of traction: barefoot running. As in running marathons. Barefoot. No joke.

In an article in the New York Times (yes… them again) entitled “Running Shorts. Singlet. Shoes?” writer Katie Thomas examines the rapidly growing trend of getting in your daily run… sans shoes.

This unfortunately titled piece (I’m sorry, but really guys! Really?!) claims that, while barefoot running isn’t exactly new – think 1960’s Rome Olympics marathon gold-medal winner Abebe Bikila – it is growing, in part due to Christopher McDougall’s best-selling book “Born to Run”. McDougall’s claim is that barefoot running is easier on the body because it is closer to the way that humans evolved to run. (Tell that to Barbie!) And lots and lots of people agree.



Of course some podiatrists (and Dr. Amazing A.) don’t necessarily also agree – (we can’t imagine Nike is all that big a fan either) – but I guess you’re bound to have detractors. The American Podiatric Medical Association released a frowny-statement urging runners to spare their poor feet and avoid such hoof mishaps as puncture wounds (Ah!!!) to the feet and lower extremity stress (“I’ll say!” – direct quote from feet.)



Houston podiatrist, Jeffrey Ross also states that he’s seen an increase in injury over the last three months due to this trend as well as those super-weird looking minimalist shoes.

As with all good and glittery growing fads, there is also a healthy heaping of medical professionals not opposed. Irene Davis, head honcho director of the Univeristy of Delaware’s Running Injury Clinic plays it semi-supportive by stating that, while more research was needed to verify that barefoot running prevents injury, there was also no evidence that running with shoes prevents injuries. – (um… okay.) She makes a little more of her case when she gets all logistical-like. Having done research showing that landing on the forefoot of your hoof first has less impact than striking with the heel, Davis states that the change in gait involved in barefoot running could very well decrease your chances of hurting your bad self.

And then there are the converts (and their club – naturally!) Kansas City’s Rick Roeber has been a barefoot runner since 2003 and has run 54 (whoa!) marathons without the assistance of footwear. In fact, Mr. Roeber claims to run through Missouri winters snow and ice as well. (I am terrified at the thought of his calluses. Just sayin’.)

Not only has Mr. Roeber acquired the nickname Barefoot Rick (Come on folks. This type of behavior is bound to garner a touch of attention, no?), he also claims that after years of persistent knee problems, he took the shoeless leap and hasn’t had an injury since.

I, for one, am not willing to give up my shoes (as I gently caress my new Kors Suede Boots – “I love you. I love you. I love you.”) or having girly, soft feet. But at the end of the day I say, “to each their own.”

I will, however, personally refrain from playing footsies with any of these converts. Just sayin’.



'til Next Time!