Barefoot Running: How to Run Light and Free by Getting in Touch with the Earth [Paperback]

Michael Sandler (Author), Jessica Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2011

   How could something we have for free—our bare feet—be better for running than $150 shoes? The truth is that running in shoes is high-impact, unstable, and inflexible. Shoes promote a heel-centric ground strike, which weakens your feet, knees, and hips, and leads to common running injuries. In contrast, barefoot running is low-impact, forefoot-centric, stable, and beneficial to your body. It encourages proper form and strengthens your feet in miraculous ways.
   When you run in shoes, you not only risk developing poor form, but you also hinder the natural relationship with the ground that running facilitates. Barefoot running restores the delightful sensory and spiritual connections to the earth that you were meant to experience.
   Barefoot Running offers the only step-by-step direction runners need at any age to overcome injuries, run faster than ever, and rediscover the pure joy of running. Once you tear off your shoes and learn to dance with nature, you’ll tread lightly and freely, hearing only the earth’s symphony and feeling only the dirt beneath your feet. Hit the ground running with revolutionary techniques for starting out slowly, choosing minimalist footwear, navigating rough weather and rugged terrain, and building your feet into living shoes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Michael Sandler has applied his passion and insights into barefoot running in a way no one else has so far. You are holding in your hands a book as exhaustive and accurate of a description of barefoot running as you could ever hope for.”
—Barefoot Ted of Born to Run
 
“Barefoot Running by Michael Sandler is the best book on the market on how to begin and excel at barefoot running. I highly recommend it.”
—Dr. Michael Nirenb erg, author of America’s Podiatrist blog

“Enjoy the insights this book has to offer. . . . It is about form, joy, and the love of running. Run free!”
—Micah True, Caballo Blanco de la Sierra Madre of Born to Run

About the Author

MICHAEL SANDLER is a barefoot running and walking expert who has coached athletes professionally for nearly twenty years. After a near-death accident left him with a titanium femur and hip, Sandler was told he could never run again. It was only by going barefoot and feeling the ground that he began to heal. He now runs ten to twenty miles a day, pain free.

JESSICA LEE experienced nagging knee pain and hated running until the day she went barefoot. Now she helps women of all abilities experience the joy of running light and free.
 
 Michael and Jessica are the co-founders of RunBare Company. Together they travel around the world, teaching people how to rediscover the joy of running. www.runbare.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (September 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307985938
• ISBN-13: 978-0307985934
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.8 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great Technical and inspirational book on Barefoot Running!, November 1, 2011

By 

Olarte "Instead of anticipating the goal, lea... (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barefoot Running: How to Run Light and Free by Getting in Touch with the Earth (Paperback)

I write very few reviews here, but from time to time I feel compelled to share my experience when I find a truly unique and life changing product.

Well Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee's book "Barefoot Running" is truly such a product.

I was lucky enough to discover the joy and benefits of Barefoot or minimalist running after reading Chris McDougall's excellent book "Born to Run".

After buying my Vibram 5 finger shoes, I did a bit of research in order to transition smoothly and found the wonderful book Barefoot Running.

Thanks to Michael's account of how he got into Barefoot running after a debilitating accident, and then following his advice and detailed explanations on why and how to run barefoot in proper form. I learned to run properly and enjoy barefoot running.

In a short 18 months I went from 1 mile to a full 26.2 mile Marathon earlier this week.

While there are several great leaders in this field including Barefoot Ken Bob (who also has an excellent book), Barefoot Ted (great Luna Sandals) etc. that I have been fortunate enough to meet and learn from.

It is Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee's work that did it for me. Not only is it so easy an logical to understand the technique behind BFR, but Michael's story and writing is truly inspirational and motivational.

And so while I recommend all the people and books mentioned above, if there is ONE book that is a must get if you are interested at all in a healthy, natural and enjoyable way to run, I have to say that the book is "Barefoot Running".

I was lucky enough to meet Michael and Jessica last week and the NYC Barefoot run, and if you get a chance I hope you get to do a clinic with Michael as well.

Ivan M. Olarte
[...]

Barefootin' the way we were meant to be...

Instead of anticipating the goal, learn to enjoy the Journey for this is where we spend 99.9% of our time.

The Journey is the reward...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest exercise on earth, November 1, 2011

By 

Sandra Wendel "health information writer" (Health-e headlines) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barefoot Running: How to Run Light and Free by Getting in Touch with the Earth (Paperback)

Sounds crazy ... until you try it. Then ripping off your shoes and socks is the most natural state. I'm not a long-distance runner, or even a short-distance runner, but I now exercise barefooted. Love to Zumba sans shoes. And I can't stand having shoes and socks on while at home. My knees don't hurt anymore either after exercising. Why? Michael and Jessica explain the science. Once you read their book, you won't buy shoes with big soles, heels, or padding ever again. Freedom is spelled B-A-R-E-F-E-E-T. Every day is like a day at the beach. Born to Run is the story behind barefoot running. This book tells you HOW to do it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid useful guide for interested runners., November 1, 2011

By 

Zachary D. Bergen "Colorado Runner" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barefoot Running: How to Run Light and Free by Getting in Touch with the Earth (Paperback)

I love this book! I have been running since high school and as I approach 50, I want to continue running. I am convinced that my switch from "shod" running in high tech running shoes with orthotics to a barefoot stride will insure running for years to come. This book is an exhaustive treatment of the subject in a great format. I found out many things I did not know that have helped me as I transitioned out of traditional shoes. Now I look at runners who are heel striking knowing for certain they could have a better running experience. The authors state that you should start slow. I could not emphasize this enough and by going slow it will pay off. Your feet have been trapped in shoes and need to learn how to be feet again and have the feedback with the brain and your kinesthetic awareness heightened. Since running barefoot and with the help of this book, I have gone through many phases of "healing" and have completely changed my attitude about feet and how tough they are.

I think even if you still buy the myth of running shoes, you should improve your stride by using this book and translate that new brain learned response back to your traditional running shoe regimen. Although I think you'll find your old running shoes to feel unnatural and clunky like I did. I can't go back. The neat thing is that there are plenty of minimalist shoes to choose from for all seasons and conditions.

This book will also serve as a reference. I often flip through the pages to learn more about something like their advice for difference surface types. It is a good companion for people who want to know if their experience of barefoot running is normal since there are not a lot of people out there to share experiences with (yet). I also joined the barefoot running group. It is an easy way to share experiences.

I know there is a lot of interest in barefoot running. I often get stopped and hit with questions about my experience. They have all been positive. It is not necessarily easy to transition and it is more than worth it. It has completely redefined my running game and brought more fun and another dimensions to my runs.