From: Ken Saxton
Subject: Barefoot running
Date: Mon, 5 Aug 1996 08:28:30 -0700 (PDT)

A neighbor of mine, that I had not met before, saw me at the swimming pool
on Saturday and commented that she had seen me running barefoot along
Pacific Coast Highway several times. She told me that I ran beautifully. I
thanked her and mentioned that it may be because I run barefoot that my
stride and rythym is natural and feels great to me when I run. She also
asked what prompted me to begin running barefoot. I told her that mostly, I
just got tired of wearing out shoes, and shoes wearing out my feet. The one
time I did run a marathon, I got blisters on the tops and sides of my feet
from the shoes. It occurred to me to try taking the shoes off to finish
running the marathon barefoot, but the heavy pressure of social expectation
prevented me from doing it at that time (about 9 years ago). I did finish,
but I had to walk several miles. I also mentioned that I am thinking of
running a marathon in the future, hopefully next year, just to see that I
can do it barefoot. Friday, I ran a total of 16 miles barefoot (8 miles to
work and 8 hours later, 8 miles home) so I think I will be able to build up
to it. I am a little concerned about running 26 miles continuous on
barefeet, but I think as I build up to that distance, it should be no
problem by next year. If anyone has any further suggestions (other than
continuing to increase my running distance gradually, which I already plan
to do) let me know.