Excellent article New York Times on barefoot running (thanks Robin Truxel!)

[Kit_L]

See here:

New York Times article by Christopher McDougall

The author not only teaches people how to run properly: he spent six months with the Tarahuma indians (Northern Mexico) and learned to run like they do; he is the author of the best-seller Born to Run.

And if any of you are interested in the advice on how to start running in Fiver Fingers, you can't go past the advice on the excellent site Birthdayshoes.com. They have a really good Beginner's Guide to Barefoot Running that I recommend highly.

Short take? Walk and run barefoot only for at least two weeks before putting on your new Vibrams, and (this is the most important bit) run Ninja-style: in other words, as softly and as quietly as you can. Running barefoot (as a tenderfoot!) will really limit your distance; don't be surprises if 200 yards is too far!

Going 100% barefoot first ensures a number of things: no heel strike, consistently bent knees, and relaxed/soft feet. You do all that, and your running style will be efficient. Do not try to up your distances too quickly: while the muscles and cardiovascular systems adapt quickly, the ligaments and tendons take a lot longer. Take it easy.

My final advice is not to try to run at your normal velocities, either: just get used to an upright trunk, and relaxed movement. Good luck!