Hi. I created this site to help you discover the wonders of running barefoot. There are many great people associated with this movement who I profile here.

One of my life goals is when I'm 74 to beat a 19 year old in a marathon. This would avenge my earlier defeat. (He did not look like he was 74 when he passed me). I believe the barefoot running technique will make that possible. Recently, I have been encouraged with the growing number of 100 year olds who have completed marathons.

"Why am I running in my boxers?" you may ask. In addition to my affinity for barefoot running I am an inventor. I invented a patented new fly that does not gap open. The fly passed the test at the 2nd Annual NYC Barefoot Run. For more information on the fly click on www.itsallaboutthefly.com or www.howyahangin.com.

I encourage you to sign up for the 3rd Annual NYC Barefoot run. It will be held on Governor's Island in New York City in 2012. Brother and sister, John and Maggie Durant have created one of the best events I have ever attended. I will post the date once its established. For more information click on the link www.nycbarefootrun.com.

"In the beginning they question. At the end they follow." MH

Sales Craze Gone Wild

According to sporting goods market research firm Sports One Source, sales for barefoot-friendly running shoes shot up more than 280% over the same period last year.

Running at your local Gym

I have been running barefoot for about 2 years. Over those years, I lost the need to wear pleated pants due to my running. Barefoot running has toned the back part of my legs. About a year ago, I decided to run barefoot at my local gym. My local gym is one of the most premier forward thinking gyms in the Baltimore Area. After running barefoot on a treadmill for about 3 weeks, I was approached by a Gym Watchdog who informed me that I was not allowed to run barefoot on a treadmill due to Gym regulations. I asked who made this determination and was referred to a staff member. I spoke with the staff member and let her borrow Chris McDougal's Born to Run Book.

I took a sabbatical away from the gym, preferring to run barefoot at my house. After a couple of months the staff member had completed the book. She allowed me to run on a remote treadmill on the far side of the gym.

After the 2nd Annual Barefoot Run in New York City, I became energized. I asked staff permission to go mainstream and run barefoot in the main area. The staff person indicated it was OK as long as I provided education to those who asked. I stated I would create this web site to provide education to anyone who was interested. The next couple of weeks were great. People would approach me and I provided education. Then the Gym Watchdog's struck again and told me to put my shoes on. Again

Common Misconceptions:

Its not hygienic for people who use the treadmill after you run barefoot.
People who run on the treadmill after you are wearing shoes. Do those people worry about the bottom of their shoes when they are walking in the parking lot? There is also much debate over which part of the body is more succeptable to germs hands or feet. Hands are more succeptable to more strep bacteria due to their exposure to nose, mouth and common areas. Feet are more succeptable to fungi due to the closed shoe environment and the cross contaminent on the locker room floor.

Shoes are required at the gym.
I wear shoes once I am off of the treadmill. Shoes are not required at all the areas of the gym. Are shoes required during yoga classes? No, people are in bare feet to benefit from the added traction their barefoot provides. Are shoes required around the pool area? This is an areas which is more precarious due to the wet surface than the traction of a treadmill belt.

Its a Liability Issue your foot can get sucked into the treadmill.
The treadmill belt is spinning away from the treadmill You will not get sucked in to the treadmill. You are more likely to get spit out the back of the treadmill. Let me sign the waiver.

I was encouraged to see that many cross fit gyms actually allow customers to run barefoot on their treadmills.

Here is another post from a frustrated gym member http://www.barefoot-healthy-blog.com/?p=155

Much more content is coming, including minimalist shoe reviews Email Barefoot Max with any questions-