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When I do sprint workouts and force myself into a fore-foot stride I have very few shin problems
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This is the exact results I had when I just started getting some distance (4+ miles every other day) and had shin splints. Heel striking just destroyed my shins, and once I learned to mid foot/fore foot strike, I was happy as a runner should be.
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Originally Posted by ratbastid
The one thing I've heard unreservedly good about barefoot running is that it definitely promotes good form. Barefoot running pretty much forces a midfoot strike (because anything else is literally too painful). So I'm hearing about people running a lap on a track barefoot, and then shoeing up for their regular run.
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I agree. After having foot pain standing for long periods in my work-issued boots, I did some research and then went out and bought some
vibram fivefingers. I LOVE THESE "SHOES"!!! I now spend entire weekends in them, gone on 6 mile cross country hikes and just recently started running in them. I'm up to 9 miles/week with nothing more than normal "working muscles that haven't worked much" pain and am aiming for 24 miles/week. Don't get me wrong, there is a transition period with these. The key is to start VERY slowly, and build up all the foot muscles that regular shoes have atrophied. Do a Google for barefoot walking/running and you will find a plethora of information about gait, stride, natural alignment and all that. But the bottom line is that my foot pain has nearly completely vanished, and I know/feel my feet are MUCH stronger now.