Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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...

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.

Excellent barefoot running guide. Step by step guide that is easy to grasp. This book has an excellent format, which includes pictures, tips, tools, and stories. The author's information is based on accurate evidenced based exercise science. Best part of the book is Author Michael Sandler's discription of his incredible journey on how barefoot running was his "saving grace". This book shares penetrating and enlightening insights of the remarkable benefits of barefoot running for your body and spirit. I highly recommend this book.

Barefoot Running is a fun and accurate description of what it looks like to kick off those shoes and run free. The scientific discussions in the book surrounding the decision to do just that make so much sense. Even if you are not a science geek like me and enjoy all those big terms and anatomical diagrams, its still easy to understand how the foot works and what is involved in foot mechanics. After running for years as well as coaching and dabbling in the idea of barefoot running, this book really sunk the ship for me. Because of the very well written and easily set forth ideas and descriptions around the why and the how of barefoot running, it was easy to start. The quality exercises and strengthening tools really helped in strengthening and healing my feet and allowing me to run with out that nagging inflammation of the facia on the bottom of my feet. Additionally, it worked. It felt so good to finally run for 30min completely barefoot and all those 5 minutes, 7 minutes, 10minutes, 14minutes...etc...finally paid off. Its neat to see your feet toughen and your body change and strengthen so dramatically. With the coaching offered in the book with a 3 month starting out plan as well as the amount of rest of running every 2 days, I have been injury free so far and just enjoying the process of getting out of my shoes. This book is an awesome tool in my running library and I'm excited to continue running barefoot!

What did I have to lose? I was starting over. I had to regain strength, balance, nerve function, and find the courage to trust my body again. I had a long road of strength training, gaining neuromuscular control, core strengthening, and increasing pelvic stability. All those are a challenge but finding courage was the greatest challenge. I had to learn to trust. Not easy for a controlling person who is also a perfectionist. At times I felt defeated but used that energy to help me in rehab.. I was told my loved ones that I would never be able to run again. However, my medical team held out on making such a strong statement and together we took it day by day.

Michael Sandler and his story only cemented further in my mind that it was possible to once again run without pain and fear. It would just take a little dedication to allowing the body to run as it was intended to do.

No one as put it as simply and as precisely as Michael Sandler in his book Barefoot Running. I am so grateful to have learned from his words of wisdom.

I am now back running, qualified for the Boston Marathon running a 3:16 between back surgeries and will run my first 50 mile ultra marathon in May 2012. Thanks Michael Sandler!

So like many people who went straight to minimalist shoes, I got injured in just a few short weeks. And that injury sidelined me from doing a half marathon that I had spent three months preparing for. Talk about heart-breaking.

After some searching, I came across the paperback version of this book and gave it a thorough read. This book, in addition to ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running helped me get back into running, but this time I was running for fun and not just to complete a half marathon.

Probably the best parts of this book (got the Kindle version so that I could refer to it when needed) are the exercises to strengthen the feet and toes. After having recovered from top of the foot pain, I did many of the exercises like tiger walking and picking up objects with my toes. These exercises helped strengthen my feet and arch. I don't run barefoot, except on a treadmill, but many of the exercises from this book, and the section on injuries, helped me a lot. Three half marathons later, all run in my Vibrams and without injury, and I'm looking for my next challenge, but all the while remembering that the joy of running comes first.

This is a really comprehensive book which captures a lot of the fun and joy of barefoot running. Michael Sandler is an inspirational figure, and people should certainly listen to his advice about running barefoot.

HOWEVER

He tends to make some embarrassingly pseudoscientific statements, which damages his credibility. The worst has to be the discussion on page 18 about how barefoot running 'grounds' the runner, eliminating the 'buildup of positively charged free-radicals' which are implicated in all sorts of diseases. Um, what?

First of all, free radicals have a complex relationship with health and are not universally bad. They are actually a very important weapon the immune system has to destroy invaders. For example, macrophages use a process called oxidative burst to kill invading bacteria. On the other hand, too much free radical production can damage tissues and presumably lead to some diseases.

But does running barefoot eliminate free radicals? And, more importantly, will running barefoot actually reduce the risk of nasty chronic diseases? The sad reality is that there is no scientific evidence at all to support these statements.

The barefoot running 'community' needs to focus on the fun and relaxing aspects of the sport before making sweeping statements about health. Leave that to the scientists, please - who incidentally are doing some very good work on impact stress and injury rates.

I thought the barefoot movement was a bit crazy, until I read "Born to Run." I closed the book, and didn't know where to go next. I am a lifelong runner and marathoner and I had just learned everything I knew about running was wrong. Shocking! Barefoot Running is the PERFECT book for anyone looking to take the next (first) step. The info is very detailed, with pictures to accompany the exercises (so I know I am doing it right), and each thorough chapter leads you through the process. They cover every topic and do it very thoroughly and with every step clearly laid out. I was intrigued that Barefoot Ted wrote a special greeting for them also (he is a colorful character in "Born to Run") All I can tell you is that Michael has made me a believer. After the immense obstacles he has overcome and physical success he has experienced, it gives you the ammo to see how far you can take it yourself. I am so glad I discovered barefoot running. It saved my knees, running career, and put the joy back in my stride. If you don't at least give this an honest shot, trust me you will regret it!

I absolutely love this book. I first started running barefoot in the 1980's and found it to be such a great experience. Now Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee have written this wonderful guide to barefoot running, giving detailed advice on how to start running barefoot, proper posture when running barefoot, and the health and spiritual benefits of being barefoot. Once you take off those confining shoes you will find that your feet become so much stronger and flexible. Anyone interested in running and anyone interested in improving and maintaining good health and strength should read this book.Barefoot Running: How to Run Light and Free by Getting in Touch with the Earth