Good article summarizing some of the benefits (and challenges) of barefoot running:
When I first heard about barefoot running, several years ago, I was skeptical -- don't we need cushion to protect us from injuries, and why would I want to run barefoot, anyway?
But several months ago, I read a few influential articles (stemming from the popularity of Christopher McDougall's book, Born to Run) and decided to give barefoot running a try. Why not?
Today, I'm happy to say I'm a barefoot runner, and I love it.
I've given away my Asics, and now I run exclusively with my Vibram Fivefinger KSOs or completely barefoot. I'm running as fast or faster than ever, lighter than ever, injury-free, and I feel connected to the ground I run on. My feet have become stronger, and I feel better. Running was always fun, but now it feels like play!
http://zenhabits.net/barefoot-running/
Mirrors some of my own feelings (and reasons for trying out barefoot running) as I've been testing these waters for the past couple of months. More than anything else, it's been much more about play than plodding along. And another link, from the website of Barefoot Ted, one of the characters in the excellent Born to Run, covers similar ground:
Alas, the hallmark of my barefoot running philosophy is regaining connectedness, mindfulness, and presence in your running and in your body.
Barefoot running is not about blocking or pushing through pain, or at least it shouldn't be. Rather it is about tuning-in to your own body's highly sophisticated set of integrated awareness systems, systems that communicate through feelings and senses that are being collected in real-time as you move. From my perspective, learning how to run well means learning how to tap into the feeling of running well, which more often than not requires baring the foot to get the full feel of what happens when you move.
http://barefootted.com/2010/04/so-you-wanna-start-running-barefoot.html
It all seems so counter-intuitive, at first, but the more time I've spent with the idea, the more I appreciate the basic premise: be more aware of your surroundings. I don't know, yet, if I'm going to be up for running 26.2 miles without shoes. But I also never would have imagined a few months ago that I'd be able to run four miles barefoot (like I did on Monday), either. Time will tell.
"Rather it is about tuning-in to your own body's highly sophisticated set of integrated awareness systems, systems that communicate through feelings and senses that are being collected in real-time as you move."
Thanks for sharing your perspectives, quotes, and insight on the barefoot running trend. It definitely appears to be a huge benefit to you both physically and mentally, almost a more holistic approach to running. It teaches all of us that we need to be more in tune with ourselves to be better then who are today.