The Natural & Barefoot Running Debate

Apr 27, 2010 by runbyu1

From the Facebook page of Runner’s Corner:

REGARDING MINIMALIST & BAREFOOT RUNNING:
I find it sad that running retailers here close to home and all over the country are fighting (often with intellectual dishonesty) something that is such a benefit to running in general and as an industry. I think it separates those who are in it for the money from those who truly care. At our store, we sell tons of minimalist shoes, Vibram five fingers, vivobarefoot’s, and send people to get zero drop modifications done on their shoes at local shoemakers. I can say without a doubt it has been the single most positive thing for runners we have done in nearly 20 years of business, aside from teaching proper running technique. However, minimalism and technique go hand in hand.  There is no downside to becoming more independent, injury free, and stronger!  We have always been the store that “teaches technique and sells lightweight shoes” and it has been to the benefit of our customers. Other running stores should see that if they do the right thing and embrace the good that comes from this, they will still sell plenty of stuff, including more accessories, apparel, and nutrition items. “Barefooters” still buy shoes, you just have to carry them…

-K Golden Harper, Manager, in response to this: http://ryerson2010.posterous.com/running-room-founder-john-stanton-talks-about and many other similar things being said by the vast majority of running retailers around the country.