Natural running is something which has gradually developed over the last few years in the West, but which has been practised for many years in African countries. And since many of the world’s greatest endurance runners come from Kenya or Ethiopia, it’s little wonder the rest of us are starting to take notice of their running styles. Natural running relies less on the high-tech cushioning systems found in many modern running shoes, and in some extreme cases leads to people running barefoot – remember Zola Budd? Here are a few reasons to consider trying out natural or barefoot-style running for yourself.
1. It’s how we all started off running when we were toddlers. We were probably exploring our world once we had mastered walking, and the next step was to run around and have fun. The method was perfectly natural in order to ward off any injuries while not wearing any shoes. So gone were the heel strikes common to most adult runners today. Instead, the foot lands on the midfoot or forefoot very gently, and underneath the body’s center of mass. This is how natural running form is taught, combined with fast cadence and short stride length. So in essence barefoot style running is natural, and what better reason do we need to try it out.
2. The move to proper running form will also cause less injuries if you do it properly. There is no need to ditch shoes completely even though some people do still like to include a little barefoot training in their routines – on soft surfaces like grass or the beach. There are several companies which sell minimalist running shoes to help you get back to a more natural feel when running. The most important thing is to make any changes very slowly. You will be taking pressure off your knees and hips, but will begin to load up your calves and Achilles tendons. So do not be tempted to carry on with a new running style by jumping feet-first into a half marathon. Do it slowly and gradually, almost as if you were returning to running after an injury. Eventually your muscles and tendons will get used to the new workload and you can build from there.
3. The other great thing about natural running is that it is far more efficient than heel-striking. So you will be able to run faster while expending less energy. A heel strike automatically applies the brakes, as you then have to flatten your foot, and pivot your body via the hip to get back into position for the next stride. This takes time and you lose any rebound energy – or elastic recoil. Using a more minimalist style allows you to take advantage of elastic recoil and there is very little braking during the stride cycle, so you run faster and far more efficiently.
These are excellent reasons to have a go at barefoot-style running, even if you are a little cynical. Try it out, and if you don’t feel any faster, or if your shin splints don’t disappear, then go back to your old style. But if you are serious about your running times, take a look at the majority of the pro athletes. You will be hard-pressed to find any of them running with a heel strike these days.
