Tag Archives: minimalist shoes

fashion, running

Live Broadcast: Why Wear Minimal Shoes?

If you do any sports that involve running, please tune in to my live broadcast on minimal shoes, Thursday, Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. PST/ 8:30 p.m. EST on Zubia.

I will explain how minimal shoes can help prevent joint pain. I’ve been using them for a few years, and they allowed me to run again after years when my knee hurt to much. But if you’re not careful, minimal shoes can cause other kinds of problem, so I’ll explain how to avoid that as well.

For iPhone users, click here from your iPhone:
https://12vn.test-app.link/tFMCPpCdUz.
Once you download Zubia (for free) the link will take you to the broadcast to add to your calendar. Or you can search at the top of Zubia by typing in “running” or “minimal running shoes” and the broadcast will appear. If you use an iPhone, you can ask questions during the broadcast.

People without iPhones can view the broadcast from a desktop here:
http://web.zubialive.com/signup.
Once registered, you can then scroll for upcoming broadcasts and see mine at 8:30 EST/5:30 PST on Thursday. (There is no app for the Android operating system on Zubia yet.)

Laird Harrison, CPT

running

Despite that Army Study, I Still Like Barefoot Running

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Irene Davis took off her sandal for me last week. She wriggled her toes. We were in the press room of the American College of Sports Medicine, and she wanted to show me a “doming” exercise you can use to prevent injuries if you run barefoot.

A Doming Video by Richard Blake

Researchers like Davis, the director of the Spaulding National Running Center at Harvard are exploring the pros and cons of running this way.

Most recently, as I reported Monday, a big new U.S. Army study cast doubt on the theory that running barefoot or in minimal shoes might prevent injury by getting people to land on the fronts or middles of their feet instead of the heels.

But I’m not ready to hang up my Vibram FiveFingers, and neither is Davis. Continue reading Despite that Army Study, I Still Like Barefoot Running →

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Army Study Challenges Barefoot Running

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It’s a sad time for minimalist runners. First Vibram agreed that it would pay out $3.75 million to runners who bought its FiveFingers shoes.

I'm not ready to hang up my Vibram FiveFingers. (Photo by Laird Harrison)
I’m not ready to hang up my Vibram FiveFingers. (Photo by Laird Harrison)

This is the glove-like footwear that allows you to wriggle your toes, and feel almost as natural as going barefoot.

Then last week the whole minimal/barefoot running movement suffered a setback when the U.S. Army presented a big study casting more doubt on the benefits of running this way.

If you’ve got a pair of FiveFingers, you can now return them for $20-$94, and go back the thick-heeled running shoes that have dominated sports store shelves since the 1970s.

Or you can send them to me (size 81/2). I am a true believer. Continue reading Army Study Challenges Barefoot Running →