Running Barefoot

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If there's one thing I would like to be remembered for, it is having helped people learn to enjoy what they do. - Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton

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Zola Budd, pic #1

Zola Budd

Courtesy Getty Images
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Welcome!
Make yourself comfortable - take off your shoes . . . and throw them away!

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 2007-03-06

If you get nothing else from the Running Barefoot website, please try to understand that we are about learning HOW to run, walk, even stand, naturally, the way we humans are designed to run, walk, and stand, while barefoot, with full perception of our feet interacting with the earth, whether that earth is a manicured golf course, litter-free beach, rubberized track, or more natural surfaces, like baked clay, granite, or dirt trails litterered with sharp rocks, sticks, and other debris.

Omaha Marathon, 2007, Running Barefoot Championship Races and get-to-gether

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 2007-03-07
courtesy of Omaha Marathon

. . . we have a "BAREFOOT" category for this years Omaha Marathon races!

. . . we will have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each race.
Susie (the Omaha Marathon race director)
. . . continue . . . Omaha Marathon, 2007, Running Barefoot Championship Races and get-to-gether

last updated: 2007-03-19 11:54:00

The idea that our prehistoric ancestors were able to survive and thrive without shoes, only because they didn't have to deal with hard and littered surfaces, is absolutely ridiculous. Take off your shoes, and see how far you get running through a jungle, across a savanah, over a mountain, or even on a natural beach, littered with broken sea shells, driftwood, and broken rocks.

The problem isn't that we aren't designed to run on each and every one of these varied surfaces. The problem is that we have imprisoned our feet, weakening them through lack of use, and more importantly, we have ignored their value as sensory organs, to help us respond appropriately, not just to the surfaces, but also to the way we are running.

Getting Around this Website

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 0000-00-00

To navigate this website, simply scroll through the Menu at the top of the page. Select a section, then select an item, if necessary, press the "Go!" button.
. . . continue . . . Getting Around this Website

last updated: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

The main difference between this, and many other coaching methods, is that most of our coaching - the feedback letting us know if we are running correctly - comes from our own senses, including the sense of touch as our soles touch the ground. It may seem that Running Barefoot would be uncomfortable. And, indeed, when we try Running Barefoot the same way we learned to run while our soles were protected by shoes, it would hurt. The key to Running Barefoot, is that while shoes may protect us from sensations of pain, naturally associated with careless, thoughtless, and sloppy running techniques, it certainly would hurt, to run this way while barefoot. But it is important to know that, it is up to you to, rather than blocking these painful sensations, to respond by learning to run better, more gently, efficiently, and gracefully, while barefoot.

The secondary difference between Running Barefoot and other coaching methods - and perhaps to many of you, the more important difference - is that we do not charge any money. This is a collaboration of all of those who have and continue to contribute their experiences with us, many who have been running barefoot for their whole life, even more who have been running barefoot for just the last few years or decades, and especially those who, after years of imprisoning your feet inside shoes, are just discovering the sensations of Running Barefoot.

Ken Bob Saxton

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 2003-11-21

Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton is the founder, maintainer, president, webmaster, and driving force behind the Running Barefoot website, and perhaps the growing movement towards Running Barefoot in general.
. . . continue . . . Ken Bob Saxton

last updated: 2006-12-30 08:31:10

Running Barefoot is free, as well as freeing. With this newfound freedom comes the associated responsibility for your own health and safety, and how you react to the sensations as your feet touch the ground. You reap the benefits, but, if you refuse to listen to those who have already struggled through the transition, as well as to your own feet, you risk reaping the harm. As with any activity - or inactivity - as with life itself - there are risks. So, while you are carefully, slowly, and gradually making the transition to Running Barefoot, be sure to take time to read through this website, and our Yahoo! discussion group

The kind of feedback we get while Running Barefoot, with each and every step, and each and every motion of each step, through a mulititude of nerve endings in our soles, is instantaneous, invaluable, and something that no other coach in the world can give, or sell to us.

Not that we have anything against coaches, well, not all coaches anyway. I mean, who likes the out-of-shape, tobacco-chewing, drunk who stands on the sidelines yelling at us to run faster, and run longer, without explaining HOW to improve the way we run? Anyway, coaching, when it does explain running technique, can help newbie barefooters in the transition from bad habits learned while our own natural instantaneous feedback were blocked by over-protective shoes.

Many people believe that I must have really tough feet in order to run barefoot. After all, their feet hurt, when they run with shoes! But, if I had as tough of feet as many people believe, I could probably run with shoes on.

The overriding reason that I run barefoot, is because I do not like pain!

I really am a whimp, a sissy, a sensitive man, with a low tolerance for pain. I vowed never to run another marathon with shoes on. I ran my first marathon with shoes, and it was extremely painful. Shoes gave me, and still give countless runners, all sorts of foot problems - blisters, calluses, fungus, corns, bunions, black toenails, etc.. I'm just not that interested in hurting and deforming my feet. I ain't no superman! I run barefoot because it is comfortable!

I don't believe running, when done correctly, should be considered an "endurance" sport. After all, we don't need to "endure" something so fun and pleasant. Go to any marathon (26.2 mile race) finish line, and take a look at the tortured feet as the finishers painfully peel off their shoes. The longer distances they run, the worse it gets, go volunteer to help out in an ultra-marathon (greater than 26.2 miles). You'll see, that the human foot is not designed to run those kind of distances while imprisoned inside shoes.

Gently pinch the skin on the soles of your feet, and compare it with the skin on the top of your feet (someplace that isn't hard, crusty, and callused from wearing shoes), and you'll see that the natural skin on the soles, even before you start conditioning it by going barefoot, is much thicker than the skin on the top of the feet.

Your soles are designed to contact the ground. The rest of your foot is not designed to be rubbing constantly against the inside of shoes. That is why your feet hurt when you run in shoes!

More importantly, even the best fitting shoes, by blocking the sensation of our sole touching the ground, deprive us of the most important aspect of walking or running - feedback. The ability to know we are landing too hard, or on the wrong spot of our foot, is essential in learning to run gently, smoothly, efficiently, and without undue risk of injury.

We can eliminate the sensation of harmful impact, by imprisoning our feet inside shoes, or we can pay attention to the sensation and learn to run more gently. I run barefoot, because I want to be in this sport for the long run!

After decades, and tens of thousands of miles, hundreds of races, including 59 marathons, even a 50 kilometer ultra-trail run, all barefoot, my soles are not hard, tough, callused, nor are they prone to blistering.

Because most typical foot infections cannot tolerate the light of day, my feet are actually cleaner and healthier than most feet kept inside dark, hot, moist shoes. I run barefoot because I want healthy, happy feet!

last updated: 2007-07-19 16:21:18

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Pictures of Running Barefoot

Random Barefoot Runners
. . . continue . . . Pictures of Running Barefoot

last updated: 2007-06-26 12:48:00

New Term for Running Barefoot

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 2006-03-14

I run!

The suggestion, for a new term for Running Barefoot, came up before, and after much discussion, I believe we concluded that "Running" did originally apply to Running Barefoot (our ancestors would have been Running Barefoot, long before they invented shoes).
. . . continue . . . New Term for Running Barefoot

last updated: 2007-04-06 12:00:00

Presentation by Barefoot Ken Bob about Running Barefoot

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 2007-03-13

Barefoot Ken Bob, the Running Barefoot Guru, the "Godfather of Running Barefoot", Barefoot finisher in some 59 marathons since 1998, and founder of the Running Barefoot website, is available as a guest speaker at your event. The Running Barefoot presentation can easily fit into a 20-30 minute time slot, or be expanded to an hour or more, if there is enough interest. Additional guest barefoot runners can add their own stories about Running Barefoot to the presentation, time-permitting.
. . . continue . . . Presentation by Barefoot Ken Bob about Running Barefoot

last updated: 2007-03-13 10:00:00

Running Barefoot's 10 Year Celebration!

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 2006-12-20

First of all, I have been Running Barefoot a lot longer than 10 years! But, the Running Barefoot website is just reaching it's 10th Anniversary!

Zola Budd, pic #1

Zola Budd

Courtesy Getty Images
size 28 kb

. . . continue . . . Running Barefoot's 10 Year Celebration!

last updated: 2007-02-23 08:38:03

Disclaimer

by Barefoot Jon
© 2004-07-16

Running Barefoot allows us to feel surfaces while we run, and respond by adjusting the way we run, and/or how far or frequently we run, in order to minimize the negative effects caused by impact, sharp objects, abrasive or slippery surfaces, and over-training (shoes reduce the FEELING caused by these factors, but do little to prevent actual damage). Consequently the problems of chronic joint damage, blisters, black toenails, sprained ankles, overuse injuries, etc., common among shod runners, are, if not eliminated, significantly reduced. However, as with any activity, there are risks.
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last updated: 2007-02-17 02:31:18

Whoop Dee Doo!

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 2006-12-23

How many times have you completed a full half-marathon, only to go into work the next day, and have everyone ask, "Why didn't you finish the whole thing?"
. . . continue . . . Whoop Dee Doo!

last updated: 2006-12-30 08:31:09

Profit and Running Barefoot

by Brian Dickey
© 2006-06-23

I hear what your saying about relationship between the shoe companies and the podiatrist I have a different point of view of what may be wrong here, however there is nothing wrong with "a profit motive". Profit motive is what drives and motivates everybody. For instance I switched to Running Barefoot for profit. "What?", I hear you say, "you get paid to run?" No I don't have any sponsors. But my profit is not dollars but the joy of running, the freedom from shoe payments, the freedom from injury, etc.
. . . continue . . . Profit and Running Barefoot

last updated: 2006-12-30 08:31:09

Privacy Policy

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 0000-00-00
courtesy of © (2005 September 27)

We will not share, sell, or otherwise publish your contact information, unless you explicitly demand us to share it.
. . . continue . . . Privacy Policy

last updated: 2006-12-30 08:31:09

Hall of Fame

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 2003-07-04

Honorees:

Charley Robbins

Zola Budd, pic #1

Zola Budd

Courtesy Getty Images
size 28 kb

. . . continue . . . Hall of Fame

last updated: 2006-12-30 08:31:09

Copyright

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 2000-09-09

In the interest of the free exchange of information, I am honored if you feel my writings or graphics are worthy of use on your website, in your magazine articles, or for other publications.
. . . continue . . . Copyright

last updated: 2006-12-30 08:31:09

About Running Barefoot (the web site and organization)

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 2004-12-09

RunningBarefoot, consists of a website, me, and a few representatives around the world. At this time, we all pay out of our own pockets to run races barefoot and promote Running Barefoot on planet Earth.

Zola Budd, pic #1

Zola Budd

Courtesy Getty Images
size 28 kb

. . . continue . . . About Running Barefoot (the web site and organization)

last updated: 2006-12-30 08:31:09

Test Page, for maintenance purposes.

Ignore this page
. . . continue . . . Test Page, for maintenance purposes.

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Getting Around this Website

by Ken Bob Saxton
© 0000-00-00

last updated: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Marathon Man (1976)

by John Schlesinger (director)
© 1976-00-00
courtesy of Paramount

Dustin Hoffman playing Thomas Levy runs barefoot at night through New Yorks Highways trying to get away from his chasers.
. . . continue . . . Marathon Man (1976)

last updated: 2007-08-04 07:53:00

Lord Jim (1965)

by Richard Brooks
© 1965-02-25
courtesy of Sony Pictures

. . . continue . . . Lord Jim (1965)

last updated: 2007-08-03 14:15:00

Barefoot Running Apparel

by Ryan Marchand
© 2007-08-01
courtesy of Go Barefoot Running

Barefoot Running Apparel Catalog
. . . continue . . . Barefoot Running Apparel

last updated: 2007-08-01 10:07:00

Karen LeGault

by Karen LeGault
© 2007-07-29
courtesy of Karen LeGault

One of my core beliefs is that spirit, manifest through the application of brush and pigment to paper and canvas is rich in variational possibilities. Influenced by Taoist philosophy and practices, Chinese brush painting, photo-realism, impressionism, improvisational dance, expressionism, fabric design, mystical and mundane experience, I am interested in the play and integration of polarities - light/dark, thick/thin, wet/dry, empty/full, fast/slow, quiet/loud. All considered, every painting is a meditative dance.
. . . continue . . . Karen LeGault

last updated: 2007-07-31 09:00:00