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How to Run in Minimalist Footwear (a.k.a. "Barefoot Shoes")

The Inaugural Asheville Marathon at the Biltmore - in Luna Sandals (Venado/original)

How to Run in Minimalist Footwear (a.k.a. "Barefoot Shoes")

The Inaugural Asheville Marathon at the Biltmore - in Luna Sandals (Venado/original)

You're out on a run. Your nose is getting stuffy, so you lean to the side for a quick farmer's blow. It's cold out, but you didn't realize how cold until you go to wipe your nose with the back of your glove to clear off any additional moisture -- only t…

First Half-Marathon in Toe Shoes (Vibrams)

How to Run in Minimalist Footwear (a.k.a. "Barefoot Shoes")

First Half-Marathon in Toe Shoes (Vibrams)

I had a great time running the 30th Annual Kaiser SF Half Marathon earlier this month in my 5 Fingers KSOs (sans socks)! It was a wonderful event with over 5,000 participants held in beautiful Golden Gate Park. Although I had run in hi…

ChiRunning, the Book. A Minimalist Perspective.

ChiRunning, the Book. A Minimalist Perspective.

Just finished reading ChiRunning, the book about the popular technique. When I say "popular" in this context I'm referring mostly to the passion ChiRunning practitioners exude for it. I'm slightly terrified about commenting at all, because in my experie…

Ridgewood Turkey Trot 8K—Or, how to do barefoot all wrong

Ridgewood Turkey Trot 8K—Or, how to do barefoot all wrong

Like many runners and other athletes, I hold several concurrent goals in mind — most of which are ever-moving targets. First is the simplest and most familiar: the shifting distance goal. At first I just wanted to work up to a 10k. Then it was maybe 15…

Baptised by Mud in FiveFingers KomodoSport

How to Run in Minimalist Footwear (a.k.a. "Barefoot Shoes")

Baptised by Mud in FiveFingers KomodoSport

I recently got a note from Shuhong, a BirthdayShoes reader and runner from Malaysia. Shuhong's story is one of slow and steady transition to minimalist shoes, ultimately switching over to KomodoSport Vibram FiveFingers. Here's Shuhong's story: Gr…

Running the Marine Corps Marathon in Luna Sandals [Race Report]

How to Run in Minimalist Footwear (a.k.a. "Barefoot Shoes")

Running the Marine Corps Marathon in Luna Sandals [Race Report]

When people see me running in my huaraches, I'm often told I'll never be able to run a marathon in them. Finally, I can say I can because I have. On October 28, my 42nd birthday coincidentally, I completed my first marathon, the 37th Marine Corps Marat…

Ironman NYC (Vibram SeeYa) Race Report

How to Run in Minimalist Footwear (a.k.a. "Barefoot Shoes")

Ironman NYC (Vibram SeeYa) Race Report

I recently had the opportunity to race the inaugural Ironman New York City triathlon. I ran the marathon portion in Vibram SeeYas, which have easily become my go-to FiveFinger model for running. Overall the race went very well and I hit all of my goals…

Running My First Half-Marathon

How to Run in Minimalist Footwear (a.k.a. "Barefoot Shoes")

Running My First Half-Marathon

After 13 miles of running, my 6-year old drives a toy car on me. He may be trying to tell me something. We all know Murphy's Law. And it has several corollaries. I learned one during training for the Half. Call it Jay's Corollary: If you are going to…

Going for a World Record: Juggling an entire Triathlon

How to Run in Minimalist Footwear (a.k.a. "Barefoot Shoes")

Going for a World Record: Juggling an entire Triathlon

Most didn’t think it’s possible. I mean, how would you swim and juggle? How about biking and juggling? Well, I’ll explain briefly how I got to this goal of juggling while competing in a triathlon. I am a runner, juggler, and joggler. Joggling (running a…

Book Review: Run Barefoot Run Healthy

Run Barefoot Run Healthy: Less Pain More Gain for Runners over 30 by Ashish Mukharji is a compilation of hundreds of answers to the questions most often asked on the topic of barefoot running. Ashish makes a strong case for shedding footwear altogether…

I am a Barefoot Runner. It's changed my life.

The following video has been making a few rounds among barefoot running circles. I'd describe it as a comical take on barefoot running. Allow me to introduce Rory Coatsworth, the Barefoot Runner. Note: before you press play, it's ever so slightly…

Walter (W.G.) George and Learning to Run with the 100-Up

Could a drill you could practice virtually anywhere be the key to better, even possibly best, running form? And if W.G. George's 100-Up could make you a better runner — teach you how to run fast and injury free — wouldn't you want to learn it? The possibility of mastering the 100-Up so fascinated me