Barefoot Epiphany

After injuring my foot in 2000, I tried 3 different sets of orthotics, multiple inserts, 4 weeks in a moonboot & crutches, prolotherapy, ESWT (shockwave treatment), and finally surgery. I visited 10 different doctors which included trips to New York, Baltimore, Charlotte, and Houston.

I had a realization last Thursday when my plantar fascia pain made a comeback mid-way through a slow 3o minute run. No matter what type of shoe or expensive orthotic I've ever tried, my natural reaction whenever my foot flares up has always been to take my shoe off (I usually don't do this at trade shows or in crowded bars). I also remember discovering about 6 years ago that the best pair of shoes for my foot pain was a pair of 6 dollar speedo flip-flops purchased at Target.

After hearing about Pat's cure for shin pain and reading this article about the failure of advances in running shoe technology to cure injuries, I'm wondering if I should have saved my six-dollars (and thousands in orthotics and various other treatments) and adopted barefoot running a long time ago.

Can't really see myself running down the streets of Arlington in barefeet so I'm going to give the Pat Anderson flats-only training a shot. If nothing else, it will help me cruise through my 8 minute pace miles on the track. It can also be handy in case I run into the 50 year old man I passed in my race and he challenges me to an impromptu 440 yard dash for vengeance.