Movin' ShoesMovin' ShoesMovin' ShoesMovin' Shoes
    0
  •   was successfully added to your cart.
  • SHOP
    • IN-PERSON APPTS.
    • BUDDY BOX
    • GIFT CERTIFICATES
    • BRANDS WE CARRY
  • SERVICES
    • SHOE FIT PROCESS
    • SHOE RECYCLING
    • RESOURCES
  • ABOUT
    • OUR HISTORY
    • STORE NEWS
    • MEET OUR TEAM
      • CURRENT STAFF
      • ALUMNI
    • NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP
  • CONTACT
  • RUN WITH US
    • RUNNING CLUB
    • WEEKLY GROUP RUNS
    • TRAILS & ROUTES
  • EVENTS
    • CALENDAR
    • SUBMIT AN EVENT
    • FULL MOON 5K
    • SUBZERO RACE SERIES
    • NEW GLARUS TRAIL RUN
Next Previous

A Brief Chatter about Barefoot Running and Minimalist Shoes or the Less is More Better Theory

Movin' Shoes 11 April, 2012

Written by Karl Harter

I think most people should run in a shoe that feels comfortable and fits good. I think that’s true regardless of foot shape, arch, gait, speed or the size of the runner. Comfort and fit (enough toe room, ample width) trump almost all other considerations.

If people want to run barefoot, or with the absolute minimum of protection, fine, they should do so. It will certainly help strengthen the tendons and ligaments that surround the foot and provide them with a new or different running experience. If you’re a heel striker and don’t have any problems, then why change, but if you are prone to injury, tinkering with your impact area could be beneficial. However, there is no scientific evidence that shifting point of contact from the heel to the mid-foot or forefoot will reduce injury.

The whole minimalist idea/craze/fad/interest, although fascinating, is nothing new. Arhtur Lydiard was designing minimalist shoes 30 years ago, Nike has been making some variation of a minimalist shoe forever, all the way back to the Nike Elites and Air Mariahs and Air Huaraches, the Asics X-Caliber would qualify as a minimalist shoe. There has always been a segment of runners who believed that some cushion is inherently necessary but the closer you can keep your foot to the ground, the more stable you are and lower profile shoes are better, even for runners who exhibit poor form or have various foot faults or flat feet or low archs. I think the current re-discovery of less is better is a positive development, it keeps us re-evaluating and questioning what a proper and adequate running shoe is, and ultimately I think it leads us back to a fundamental realization that at its essence, running is an individual experience, all runners are unique, and while some generalizations are appropriate, each of needs to find out what works best for us.

Runners get injured. Can a minimalist shoe or a lower profile shoe help reduce injury or will the lack of adequate cushion promote injury? For many runners, a lower profile shoe has advantages. We really don’t want to run on pillows, nor do we want to run in cinderblocks, we really do want our foot to follow a natural motion (whatever that is, though I know it when I feel it, and I know it when bulky shoes prevent it) but let’s not forget a very basic thing: running is a physical activity, an athletic activity and injuries happen. Soccer players get injured, badminton players get injured, baseball players get injured, anyone who is active and moves and jumps and runs and sweats and stretches and pushes themselves gets injured, it happens, it’s a part of the game. Too often runners feel that good shoes will prevent or immunize them from injury, but let’s be real, most running injuries don’t come from inadequate footwear, most injuries come from over-training or crummy form. Running is a skill and if you want o minimize the chance of injury good shoes are imperative but some thought about the activity itself might help, most of us aren’t elite runners, most of huff and puff rather than glide, and for most of us some form of stretching or yoga or cross training or weightlifting should be a part of our exercise program.

Stay intense, stay dedicated but like the profile of our running shoes, maybe some moderation is a good thing, maybe a little less is a lot better.

  • You may also like

    Everything old is new again

    Read now
  • You may also like

    The Hounds of H***

    Read now
  • You may also like

    The First Appearance of Women-Specific Running Shoes

    Read now
  • You may also like

    Movin’ Shoes Owner Karl Harter is Inducted into the Running Speciality Hall of Fame

    Read now
  • You may also like

    Madison store 40 years old and still running strong

    Read now
  • You may also like

    Karl Harter Day

    Read now
  • You may also like

    Setting Goals for the New Year

    Read now
  • You may also like

    2014 F^3 Lake Front Half Marathon

    Read now
Movin' Shoes

Madison’s Original Running and Walking Resource

Follow Us on Instagram

It was about two years ago that we were out burnin It was about two years ago that we were out burning some brush alongside @iceagetrailorg to help them build trails. This photo of @tenkrunner watching the brush burn seemed like a fitting way to say goodbye to 2020 and hello to whatever comes next. Whatever it is, running will likely be involved.

#scrapbooksunday #onamonday
A bit about Liz, MSRC Secretary extraordinaire, co A bit about Liz, MSRC Secretary extraordinaire, coming atcha with some wise wisdom when it comes to exploring new trails:

• Name: Elizabeth (Liz) Veler

• Hometown: Boston, NY by way of Ishpeming, MI

• Years Running: 10!

• Favorite route: Shorewood Hills or Capital City Trail

• Why do you run? To stay in shape for my marathon addiction, and for the relationships that I've gained through running with others

• Why did you join the club? I started running with the track group off & on shortly after I moved to Madison.  I was impressed with how welcomed and comfortable I felt even around athletes literally running twice as fast as me. When MSRC was reimagined a few years ago I was eager to help establish the group. 

• Favorite/weirdest running memory? I've had numerous "adventure runs" on trails that have ended up 2 or 3 times as long as they were supposed to be. After all, why not take the fork in the path that you don't know where it'll lead you! (I've always made it home eventually)

• Favorite recovery snack? Lay's Classic potato chips, Pizza.
Get to know your favorite egg-eating-running-banan Get to know your favorite egg-eating-running-banana from Subzero!

• Name: Liz Mehls

• Hometown: Tomah, WI

• Years Running: 16

• Favorite route: There are so many! I like the Lower Yahara Trail with the bridge into McDaniel Park in McFarland; the Glacial Drumlin trail in Cottage Grove; and anything around campus for the nostalgia factor.

• Why do you run?: The #1 reason is that I am a better person, partner, and teacher when I run. My #2 reason is the friendships. It’s amazing how well you can get to know someone on a long run! I met one of my best friends in a speedwork group, and we’ve run many races together since (usually in banana suits!).

• Why did you join the club?: I am obsessed with the Subzero Race Series, and the club was promoted at the races. I signed up to keep the good vibes going! Plus, pancake runs and the great routes that Morgan creates.

• Favorite/weirdest running memory?: Honestly, I’ve been streaking through this pandemic, and the neighborhood kids have become my cheering section. They are elementary aged, and one kid runs out the door (mid-breakfast) to yell, “Go, Liz!” and the others will stop their outdoor play to clap for me when I run by. It’s the freaking best. 

• Favorite recovery snack?: Eggs.
We miss this. End of story. 2021, please treat us We miss this. End of story. 2021, please treat us better.
We’ve got another one for you folks! Introducing We’ve got another one for you folks! Introducing Coach TK, one of the founders of the original MSRC:

• Name: Tom Kaufman (TK)

• Hometown: Madison, WI

• Years Running: 53

• Favorite route: Arb, Lake Monona

• Why do you run? Something I’ve done for a long time. I like the feeling of getting outside, getting my heart rate up, clearing my head of unimportant matters, and the lovely feeling at the end of a run.

• Why did you join the club? I actually started the first version of the Movin’ Shoes Running Club with Movin’ Shoes founding owner Roger Eischens in 1984 as a way to help connect the runners in the Madison area.

• Favorite/weirdest running memory? There have been a few over the years. In no particular order - running a relay leg of the 200 mile Nappa to Santa Cruz Relay over the Golden Gate Bridge at 2:30am under a full moon, running a 13 mile route with my oldest son Noah that went up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park (Maine), running with my youngest son Zachary through a National Park in South Africa alongside a group of Ostriches, and coming face to face with a wolf on a solo run in the Boundary Waters (Minnesota).

• Favorite recovery snack? Endurox orange flavor, although anyone who knows me knows that I love chocolate chip cookies.
#scrapbooksunday to last year’s Berbee Derby wit #scrapbooksunday to last year’s Berbee Derby with the MSRC x Turtle Team. Without races, many local runners have had to turn inward to face ourselves to keep going, to stay motivated, and to stay healthy. It’s a challenge our crew has taken on with grace. We love to hear what folks have done to stay moving while races are put on hold for the time being. So. What’s kept you going during COVID?

PC: @focalflame
Get to know some of our club members! We’ll high Get to know some of our club members! We’ll highlight our members, starting with the club board. Meet Jered, club prez:

•Name: Jered Sweeney-Demezas

•Hometown: Stillwater, OK

•Years Running: 17

•Favorite route: Arb Loop

•Why do you run? To stay sane and grounded

•Why did you join the club? To run for something bigger than myself

•Favorite/weirdest running memory? Running up a mountain in New Mexico as the sun was rising

•Favorite recovery snack? Fruit smoothie with Endurox added for an extra little kick of protein

Swipe for “This or That” ▶️
We’ll keep this one in our back pocket. Stay saf We’ll keep this one in our back pocket. Stay safe y’all.
The Bay’s just that much cleaner. Thanks FOMB fo The Bay’s just that much cleaner. Thanks FOMB for the warm welcome, for keeping some of our home base running routes free of trash, and for protecting our beloved lakes. It was a pleasure to join your efforts. We’ll definitely be back next month.

📸: @oneninajo
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: The next Friend’s of Mon VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:

The next Friend’s of Monona Bay (FOMB) Monthly Shoreline Cleanup is scheduled for this Saturday, November 14, from 10-noon. They meet at the Brittingham Beach House, 701 W. Brittingham Place.

We’ve teamed up with this group in lieu of our remote plogging. It’s a great chance to safely see your MSRC pals in-person. Bring a mask, keep 6 feet, and help keep the bay free of trash. Hope to see you there!
Catching some rays with the brightest folks around Catching some rays with the brightest folks around. #precovid19 #scrapbooksunday #movinshoesrc

PC: @boldlandphoto
Hey MSRC! Check your emails with more info from Ja Hey MSRC! Check your emails with more info from Jakey-Jake about The Big Arb Intrasquad Relay.

If you’re not a member but want in, it’s not too late to join the squad. DM us on how to join, and we can get you situated.
Missing the days of running with this crew in-pers Missing the days of running with this crew in-person, the Sunday long runs through the city as a team, the feast of pancakes & coffee once a month. We’ll be back to it. Soon. Stay safe. Run safe. #movinshoesrc #flythebabyblues
We’ve turned our plogging efforts towards partne We’ve turned our plogging efforts towards partnering with the Friends of Monona Bay monthly shoreline trash pickup. This morning was our first outing with them. They meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10 AM by @brittinghamboats. They provide gloves, bags, these awesome claw-stick-grabber-things, and 5 gallon buckets. It was a great way to give back to the community while maintaining some safe COVID-distancing. We hope to see some more runners out with us to keep the neighborhood and running paths clean!
A special kind of #scrapbooksunday on the last day A special kind of #scrapbooksunday on the last day to track miles for Karl’s Full Moon Fundraiser. Karl’s indomitable spirit is felt to this very day. His vision that each person who walks into Movin’ Shoes is a pal, an inspiration, worth celebrating, no matter if they’re training to complete their first 5K or training to make it to the Olympic Trials. This is the same for each of our club members. We appreciate each and every one of you. We’re glad you’re part of this community and grateful for your contributions to the local scene.

Please consider pledging to this great cause and telling your running pals. Pledge link in bio.
STARTING TOMORROW! For Karl's Full Moon Fundraise STARTING TOMORROW!

For Karl's Full Moon Fundraiser, we realized that there was no place to add your miles on Pledge It. So we created a handy-dandy Google Form to help us out. From October 1-4, you can submit your daily miles via this link: https://forms.gle/8qN3Mv7Gf8KyHHem7. Fill out this form at the end of each day with your daily mileage so we can add them to the total miles run during the fundraiser. We will add everyone's miles together to determine the total miles run and submit it to Pledge It.

Thank you in advance for helping us raise funds for our community partners. Without the in-person Full Moon 5K, we wanted to continue to support Lincoln and honor Karl's legacy. As in past years, the event's success is based on the efforts of our community. So thank you from all of us at Movin' Shoes.

Fundraising link in bio.

Design by Jeff Hiser
Load More...
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
There has been a problem with your Instagram Feed.

Recent Posts

  • Results from Karl’s Full Moon Fundraiser

    Hello, We wanted to thank our community for supporting Karl Harter’s Full

    20 October, 2020
  • Karl Harter’s Full Moon Fundraiser

    Help us Raise Funds for Cancer Research and Youth Running Here’s how

    26 September, 2020

Our Location

528 S. Park St.
Madison, WI 53715

email@movinshoes.com
608.251.0125

Store Hours

Open 7 days/week
Mon-Fri 10-6 PM
Sat 10-5 PM
Sun 11-4 PM
Copyright © 1973-2021 Movin' Shoes | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
  • SHOP
    • IN-PERSON APPTS.
    • BUDDY BOX
    • GIFT CERTIFICATES
    • BRANDS WE CARRY
  • SERVICES
    • SHOE FIT PROCESS
    • SHOE RECYCLING
    • RESOURCES
  • ABOUT
    • OUR HISTORY
    • STORE NEWS
    • MEET OUR TEAM
      • CURRENT STAFF
      • ALUMNI
    • NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP
  • CONTACT
  • RUN WITH US
    • RUNNING CLUB
    • WEEKLY GROUP RUNS
    • TRAILS & ROUTES
  • EVENTS
    • CALENDAR
    • SUBMIT AN EVENT
    • FULL MOON 5K
    • SUBZERO RACE SERIES
    • NEW GLARUS TRAIL RUN
Movin' Shoes
    0 items