Barefoot versus spikes again

Are we allowed bare feet in meets?

Find the thinnest lightest pair of spikes with a flexible plate and you will be fine. You would be disadvantaging yourself by not using spikes in the acceleration phase of the sprint. The best pair of spikes would probably be those that allow you to almost feel the surface of the track on the ball of your foot. If you can not feel the surface of the track through your spikes then they are no good. The best pair of spikes I had for this were the Carl Lewis Mizuno Tokyo 1991 edition. I think the current Tokyos are just as good but you want the moulded spike plate version.

Shoes cause abnormalities to feet not bare footed running or walking, in fact numerous studies have shown that those in countries where shoes are worn less often have the best foot profiles and strength. Sprinting bare footed would probably be even MORE plyometric and CNS taxing, the downside would be that if your feet are weak then you are likley to injure youself, so it would be advisable to strengthen before commiting to sprinting bare footed.

Thanks, Martn, I do find that Nike Zoom Maxcats have this quality, its like wearing socks man!

How would do that?
I have every opportunity (and desitre) to train barefoot as 99% of my training is on wet sand on a beach but it hurts my feet / ankles when I run barefoot. :frowning:

This helps. Thanks.

A gradual program of conditioning for your feet would solve the problem. In the GPP phase (if you live in warmer clim’s then you could sprint bare footed on grass). The unevenness of the surface will cause strain on your ankles, I would suggest a smoother more even surface a well kept grass field would do. The soles of your feet need to be gradually accustomed to the surface so a gradual build up would be best. If your feet are hurting then it suggests that you are not landing on the correct part of the foot or your foot muscles are weak and not accustomed to the work. Bottom line a gradual conservative build up. Ankling drills and other drills to strengthen your feet will help.

Remember that some of the most elastic components of the human leg are the foot muscles and achilles tendon.

Thanks, it isn’t so much the soles as the foot / ankle probably due to poor mechanics, lack of strength and being too fat :smiley: