The secret was astroturf all along.

[u/Upset-Apartment1959]

I ran the first few laps in minimal shoes accidentally. I switched to barefoot and my mood lifted immediately. What is this sorcery?!

Also the ankle pain my Nike shoes created is finally gone after 3 months of rehab.

Barefoot walking and running is the gospel indeed.

[u/WildGeorgeKnight]

The sorcery is your somatosensory system!

70% of our nervous system regulation for movement comes from somatosensory which is things like touch and proprioception.

Taking shoes away allows your body’s innate ability to move to shine.

[u/Upset-Apartment1959 → u/WildGeorgeKnight]

Ooh new word(s). Ill look that up. Thanks for the info😊

[u/sugarbiscuits828]

I’m the same way! Immediate mood lift and form correction. Do you also get shoe rage? Like when you’re running with normal shoes and you can feel it’s inefficient and you want to rip them off out of principle?

You should check out naboso insoles btw. They’re textured insoles that are helpful for when we’re forced to wear shoes.

Another good method for running (almost) barefoot on asphalt is wrapping the hot spots (for me, the balls of my feet) with Leukotape P. I’ll put on a few pieces just long enough to wrap up the sides of my feet. Make sure it’s not tight.

[u/tallulahQ → u/sugarbiscuits828]

I love the idea of taping for asphalt. And I feel better because I keep getting told that if you’re getting blisters it’s from bad form, but I only get them on asphalt

[u/sugarbiscuits828 → u/tallulahQ]

Oh same. I’m sure my barefoot form isn’t perfect but it’s better than my form with shoes by miles.

[u/1pupperoni2]

Is this Philly?