Movement Improvement #5 Walking Barefoot

I am ecstatic about barefoot walking. Since I have made it a point to do this as often as possible, my ankles and shins have stopped hurting after long hikes. Research shows, that the more expensive the shoe (think of the cost of running shoes and hiking boots) the more damage to the foot. It turns out, less is more. Making our foot feel and adapt to the ground is the healthiest thing for our feet. I wear Teva sandals most of the time in the summer. Hint: Read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It will inspire you to set new goals.

Task: Find some nice clean grass and stand barefoot. Slowly take some steps. Allow your foot to feel the ground, the coolness and softness of the earth. Seek out other areas where you can lengthen the time with out your shoes. I love the Battelle-Darby Metro Park in Columbus, Ohio, Ancient Trail. It is one mile of a grassy, wide path in the open prairie. So as slow or as fast as you want. If you feel discomfort, in your joints or feet, stop, stand and reset.

Let me know how it goes!