SAN DIEGO -
Rocks, dirt, even snow are all elements of the earth that Michael Sandler will run barefoot on and love every step.
"It feels great," Sandler said. "There's less impact. There's less torque on your joints. You're more efficient.
"So barefoot running to me and to many people that get into it is freedom," he said.
Sandler, who lives in Colorado, said he started running barefoot after a near-death accident in 2006. He said doctors told him he would never run again, but once he ditched the shoes, he said he ran better than ever.
Last week, Sandler visited San Diego to promote his new book, "Barefoot Running."
"I think the lesson is one of simplicity," Sandler said. "It's one of we're trying to help things with going with a bigger, stronger, better shoe when actually we're defeating our own body. Our own body is incredibly smart and when it's allowed to work naturally, it's able to do things we never imagined possible."
Local runners were inspired to run in Sandler's footsteps.
"It's almost a joke that we've been almost taken advantage of by the shoe industry," said Ruth McCoy. "Really, we should just be running bare foot and allowing the experiences that come through our feet to help us build strong feet and bodies along with that."
"It just feels like you're more in touch with earth," added Jeff Rubcic. "It feels good."
It is not uncommon to see people running barefoot in San Diego, especially on the beach. Sandler said bare footing can actually reduce back pain.
"You're thinking, 'Well high impact, you're running barefoot,'" Sandler said. "But it turns out, I'm running light and I'm running from my core. So it strengthened my core, which holds me in place, my stomach, my abdominals, my back, my shoulder. Everything got stronger to hold myself in position when running out of a shoe.
"You're not encumbered with what feels like over time, a ski boot on your foot. Instead you're able to feel the ground and carry through with that," he said.
Sandler said he has only cut his foot one time, when he stepped on some glass while running in the snow - a condition he said most people in San Diego will never have to encounter. If they do, Sandler said just run right through it - in bare feet.
For more information on Sandler's book, click here.
"It feels great," Sandler said. "There's less impact. There's less torque on your joints. You're more efficient.
"So barefoot running to me and to many people that get into it is freedom," he said.
Sandler, who lives in Colorado, said he started running barefoot after a near-death accident in 2006. He said doctors told him he would never run again, but once he ditched the shoes, he said he ran better than ever.
Last week, Sandler visited San Diego to promote his new book, "Barefoot Running."
"I think the lesson is one of simplicity," Sandler said. "It's one of we're trying to help things with going with a bigger, stronger, better shoe when actually we're defeating our own body. Our own body is incredibly smart and when it's allowed to work naturally, it's able to do things we never imagined possible."
Local runners were inspired to run in Sandler's footsteps.
"It's almost a joke that we've been almost taken advantage of by the shoe industry," said Ruth McCoy. "Really, we should just be running bare foot and allowing the experiences that come through our feet to help us build strong feet and bodies along with that."
"It just feels like you're more in touch with earth," added Jeff Rubcic. "It feels good."
It is not uncommon to see people running barefoot in San Diego, especially on the beach. Sandler said bare footing can actually reduce back pain.
"You're thinking, 'Well high impact, you're running barefoot,'" Sandler said. "But it turns out, I'm running light and I'm running from my core. So it strengthened my core, which holds me in place, my stomach, my abdominals, my back, my shoulder. Everything got stronger to hold myself in position when running out of a shoe.
"You're not encumbered with what feels like over time, a ski boot on your foot. Instead you're able to feel the ground and carry through with that," he said.
Sandler said he has only cut his foot one time, when he stepped on some glass while running in the snow - a condition he said most people in San Diego will never have to encounter. If they do, Sandler said just run right through it - in bare feet.
For more information on Sandler's book, click here.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
