2018

[Bierzo Baggie]

Barefoot (or sandal) marathon was for a long time on my bucket list of extreme challenges. But I have learned the hard way that, as what Hal Higdon calls a "certified Clydesdale", cushioned shoes are a must for me.

Right Dan, hope you don't mind me ranting off a bit on your thread.. 
 
Loved the flimsy, low drop trainers that were all the range a few years ago. Bought a couple of pairs cheap when people stopped buying them and I still use them for walking around. They feel great, like slippers and undoubtedly can make your feet stronger. After all, fell runners have always used low profile shoes because they are best for going downhill fast over irregular terrain.
 
 But, and it’s a big but, I suspect that for regular running the fad may well have wrecked a significant percentage of the previously healthy runners who tried it. I sometimes wonder how much the multiple injury niggles I’ve had over the last couple of years may be a result of overdoing it with low drop shoes. Thin soled shoes are great, superb for zooming downhill with speed and security but for most of us this was a high risk experiment. There was a bit of skilful marketing in there too I’d say, yes Mr McDougall, you’ve got a lot to answer for!
 
Noticed that over the fairly technical Alto Sil course the other week the winner, Arizona Jim, one of the best rough-terrain trail runners of the moment, was wearing Hoka shoes which are anything but minimalist…
https://www.outsideonline.com/1869931/cl...st-running