Running Barefoot on a Track?

I love running barefoot and try to do it exclusively. I tried running on a track here in the summer. I thought I went early enough in the morning for the black track not to be a factor but it got hot pretty quick and my feet blistered. I try to run barefoot in the grass. I love it. No injuries and I feel great after a run. I am faster than with shoes on at a lower heart rate. Right now I am currently running in aqua or water shoes. Whatever they are called. I like these shoes alot. I am planning on wearing them this winter that way my feet have some protection. I am not a big fan of the Frees. There is to much sole to them for my liking. I have plenty of articles about barefoot running if your interested. If you planning on running barefoot remember you have to do it slowly. You just can't run 6-7 miles. You have to build up your bone density and your muscles have to adjust. I try to encourage everyone to run barefoot because you will not have injuries. I am flat footed and have zero issues. No shin splints, ITBS or Achilles issues. You can visit www.barefootrunning.org and write to Ken Bob Saxton about the benefits of barefoot running.

Seems awfully dangerous. Who knows what it is hiding in the grass? Glass, pebbles, stones, metal.

I would definitely do a major check of the run area before I did it.

Thanks for the advice and I will check out the site.

Cheers

Barefoot running is a great way to strengthen your feet/ankles/calves which should translate into a stronger more injury resistant runner.  Another benefit of barefoot running is that it forces you to change your running style and become a forefoot striker...try heel striking barefoot for more than a few step.  Landing on the forefoot engages your natural shock absorption system...the soft tissues of your feet and legs...rather than transmit the shock up through your legs and back where all you have to absorp the impact is minimal cartilage in the joints.  I love me Nike Frees and would run barefoot if I had a place where I could do it without being worried about steppig on something.  If you are confident that your track is free of debris then I'd say go for it.

Dog piles?

I'm with you...sounds scary.

Bees. Fatal.

One more thing I thought about poo. Fish poo in water, birds poo in the water. When you do a triathlon you swim in the water. Essentially we are swimming in poo water. Some people drink the poo water. But that doesn't bother anyone? Stepping on some dog poo does?