"Running barefoot on grass...."
I just read an article about Nike's newest running shoe, the Free 5.0. It poses an interesting idea about running and how running shoes should be made. The Free is not designed to cushion or stablize but to make it feel like you are "running barefoot on grass." Unlike most running shoes, it doesn't claim to cushion or comfort the feet but instead helps to strengthen ankle muscles. Nike claims that there are small muscles in the foot that get unused and atrophy in standard running shoes. Nike recommends walking around the house in the Free for the first two to three weeks to get used to them and then ramping up mileage to 3-5 miles/day after breaking them in for a couple weeks.
I have never been a big fan of the "one shoe fits all" theory of Nike and Reebok. I'm no Al Bundy but it seems these days most people go for shoes that look good but don't necessarily feel good. To me that is just stupid. Have you ever heard of Temperpedic shoes? Temperpedic is a soft, cushiony material that conforms to your feet after a few wearings (as Ace Ventura would say, "liiike a glove"). They make slippers you can buy at stores like Brookstone or Bloomingdales. I never understood why there isn't a running shoe made from Temperpedic. It would be like strapping a little pillow to your foot and running around. Does it get any better than that?
I think I will try on the Nike Free 5.0's at the store but I doubt I will buy a pair. I think it is a good concept and will probably work out for many runners. BTW, it's just my opinion but if you're gonna market a shoe with the name "Free", shouldn't it be a little cheaper than $85 a pair? Damn false advertising...
links
I need a cheeseburger...for a cop
I bet the half-marathoners were just as angry
Grandma and grandpa buss a cap in yo azz
And to think, I'd given $4,301 for her soul...
posted by blake @ 12:15 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I think this shoe totally defeats the purpose of having a running shoe. If you want a running shoe, get a running shoe. If you want to feel like you're running barefoot, run barefoot! It's free for Pete's sake! Ridiculous. I read this great article in Runner's World about running in the sand on the beach. Apparently, you burn 1.6x as many calories as you do on the road b/c you have to work harder. They recommend starting slow though, b/c it can really stress your tendons (although it's easier on your joints). Can't wait to give it a try.
I've never seen a barefoot runner except for in a cross country meet in high school when the race was on grass.
Running in the sand sucks. I guess if burning calories is your motivation then it would make sense. But if you run for enjoyment it is not fun.
If you run on the packed sand, closer to the tide, it is awesome. Then, you only run in the deeper parts for short bits to challenge yourself. I think it would be so cool to do it barefoot and then plunge into the ocean when I got hot.
Oh, there's been a big controversy lately on whether to run barefoot or not. Apparently, people from Ethiopia and stuff won the Olympic marathon barefoot a while back. Weird.
Yes, running on the wet sand close to the beach is really nice. Especially ideal during low tide. If you're gonna go barefoot you gotta always watch out for pointy shells and then man-o-wars/jellyfish during the winter (at least here in Miami).
I thought you were talking about the fluffy sand on the beach. I see people running on it every morning, so I know people do it daily, but I tried that once and its like running in quicksand. Not to mention all the loose sand in your shoes/clothes/skin you bring back into the house with you.
I stick to the really packed down paths on the back of the beach. It has the feel of pavement with a little more give for your knees.
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