Internationl Barefoot Running Day 2013

A very important day in the Barefoot / Minimalist Running Community is coming up very quickly, and it is one that myself in particular is very excited about. The 3rd Annual International Barefoot Running Day is on May 5, 2013 this year and looks to be gaining steam with more and more locations around the world participating then ever. For the last three years it has been held on the first Sunday of May as a grassroots, inclusive effort to promote barefoot running as a healthy and viable way to run. It’s also about having fun and delighting in the idea of running barefoot with thousands of people worldwide on the same day.

I know that the prospect of taking off those restrictive foot coffins is frightening to a lot of people, as it totally goes against what you have been taught for it seems like decades. But on that note, I want to point out something that a lot of people have probably forgotten.

Take yourself way back to your childhood, do you remember running and playing as a child?

 What was on your feet?

Were you wearing high tech running shoes, were you concerned if you didn’t have shoes on your feet?

Probably not, I can tell you I sure didn’t. I would run and play in my barefeet for hours, running full tilt everywhere from grass, to concrete to gravel and dirt and especially puddles oh how I remember splashing through puddles. I am sure it was enough to make my parents dizzy.

Have you ever seen a frown or a unhappy look on a child’s face when they are out playing, nope, not going to happen. This is because they are enjoying themselves and not worrying about form or how much they are pronating. Isn’t this the way you are suppose to run?

Well that is what barefoot running has done for me. Speed nor time is not a concern, I am just out running for the love of running, the way it is suppose to be. The smiles come so much easier when you are having fun.

 So if the above was enough of an incentive to give it a try, take advantage of May 5th this year and go for a barefoot run. It doesn’t have to be far, but I think you might be pleasantly surprised at the results, in fact I challenge you to not smile, I bet you can’t. Just let yourself go and pretend you are a kid again, don’t think of anything but putting one foot and then the other on the ground and enjoy the sensations.

Below is a list of organized events being held around the world including one that I am coordinating locally in Winnipeg. Even if there isn’t one in your area, I still would like to challenge you to go to the park and remove the shoes for a short jaunt, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.

Check out The Barefoot Runner Society on Facebook here and the main site The Barefoot Runners Society here for more details.

So release your inner child and go for a run.