The Ultra Experience

Here's to the adventures of my life which are usually ultra marathon trail running or fly fishing but may include other trips, experiences, thoughts, opinions, or pretty much whatever I want. As co-founder of Altra Footwear my life and adventures seemingly revolve more around developing and promoting the best footwear in the world...and I love it!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Barefoot and Minimalistic Running

So I've mentioned several times that I would write about how over the last 5-6 months I have evolved my running. So here goes:

Yes, I have embraced the barefoot movement. In fact some friends and I have created a new website that I think you all should check out. barefoot-running.com In fact I just published a personal article about how my ultra running has been affected by barefoot running. This blog which has been renamed "The Ultra Experience" will stay the same. It is pretty much my personal journal. However, my theories, articles, running opinions, gear reviews, etc will all be posted on barefoot-running.com. It is on my blog roll so check it often because it is/will be an awesome resource, especially as it grows and develops. It is not a true barefoot site yet we believe in the principles of barefoot running and adapting them to every day runners. Hence barefoot/minimalistic. Running barefoot is still extremely helpful yet not always practical. Check the website, it's pretty cool and it's only at it's early stages.

On a separate note...is everyone getting amped for Squaw Peak 50 2010? Registration is in a week, so do not forget to send in your registration on December 1st. Ran part of the course yesterday and it is as great as ever. Cheers y'all.

1 comment:

Clynton Taylor said...

Very cool that you've embraced barefoot running. I'm on my way over to the barefoot-running blog but wanted to leave a comment here first. I am particularly interested to hear how it goes for you as an ultra runner. So far it seems most who have embraced barefoot running - or running in very minimal shoes, like VFFs - aren't ultra runners (few big exceptions, of course, like Barefoot Ted). I think this is due to all the best ultra-runners being sponsored by shoe manufacturers who are only recently starting to go more minimal in some of their styles. Even Anton Krupicka has to wear shoes because they are made by his sponsor!

I have gotten into running barefoot and the barefoot running form (forefoot, light strike) recently after back surgery. I don't think I could run if I still wore my large shoes and landed on my heel - too much shock to my lower back with that form. I, too, started a blog to document my return to running after several big setbacks, the back being one of them.

There are a couple of posts I think you might really enjoy:

1. Barefoot Running: Not just for bums and hippies (http://bit.ly/HPlxg)

2. 12 Step Program to Run Shodless (http://bit.ly/eGgHm)

I'd love to know what you think.

All the best!

Clynton
Running Quest