So, tonight I went for my first run in my Vibram Bikilas. Stacy and I each bought a pair a month ago, so we could see what all the craze is about. There is a new movement of barefoot runners, and the five finger is meant to give a little support, while replicating the feel of being barefoot. I felt this subject was apropos for the time period, and want to look back on this post in five to ten years and see if barefoot running is a fad, or it revolutionized the running world. Earlier this year I read the book "Born to Run", which is about one man's quest to find the solution to running injury free. The author learns of a tribe in Mexico called the Tarahumara that has the uncanny ability to run fifty plus miles at a time over mountains while wearing what looks like pieces of leather lassoed to their feet. He ultimately finds the tribe and convinces them to run in races in America against some of the greatest trail runners in the world...specifically in the Leadville 100. If you have not heard of Leadville, it is t
he most difficult 100 mile race in the U.S. It takes place at altitudes of 10,000 feet and above, and I believe the cumulative feet ascended during the race is apprroximately 27,000 feet, which equates to running from the Salt Lake Valley to Park City nine times. Believe it or not, a member from the Tarahumara tribe wound up winning the race in shoes similar to the ones posted above. Why did I tell this drawn out story? One, because the book was fantastic and a "must read" for anyone interested in running, and two, because I find it interesting to see how far technology has come in the running shoe department, and some little tribal man can beat professional trail runners that have access to all the gear and equipment anyone could want. Maybe this means barefoot running does have some staying power...I guess we will have to wait and see. All I know now is that every year people spend millions of dollars on shoes to help for ailing problems with their backs or knees, and I am now curious, could the real solution be not wearing any shoes at all?
he most difficult 100 mile race in the U.S. It takes place at altitudes of 10,000 feet and above, and I believe the cumulative feet ascended during the race is apprroximately 27,000 feet, which equates to running from the Salt Lake Valley to Park City nine times. Believe it or not, a member from the Tarahumara tribe wound up winning the race in shoes similar to the ones posted above. Why did I tell this drawn out story? One, because the book was fantastic and a "must read" for anyone interested in running, and two, because I find it interesting to see how far technology has come in the running shoe department, and some little tribal man can beat professional trail runners that have access to all the gear and equipment anyone could want. Maybe this means barefoot running does have some staying power...I guess we will have to wait and see. All I know now is that every year people spend millions of dollars on shoes to help for ailing problems with their backs or knees, and I am now curious, could the real solution be not wearing any shoes at all? 
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