We’re Intrigued, but We Won’t Bite
The reason so many people bristle at the idea of running without shoes on has little to do with the ickiness factor and everything to do with a story about an apple, a serpent, and a naked man and woman in a perfect world. Let me explain.
The press has been going crazy lately after new studies were published showing the merits of running barefoot. It seems every newspaper, website, blog, magazine, and news program has run a story about barefoot running over the past few months, from TIME Magazine to the New York Times to the Boise Weekly. The coverage has exposed thousands, if not millions, to the idea of shedding their shoes and going for a run. Many readers have been convinced to give barefoot running a try, though they are in the minority. Many people, it seems, would rather eat a slug than hit the road without their trusty shoes.
There are a number of reasons people give for why they won’t give barefoot running a try. They say they’re scared they’ll step on something sharp, like broken glass or a nail. They say the ground is dirty and crawling with bacteria and viruses that could make them sick. And they say that they’re body is not biomechanically perfect.
While all of these reasons people give stem from real fears they have, they’re unaware of a much stronger and deeper reason for why they cringe at the thought of running without the support of shoes. It’s so deep, in fact, that most of us don’t realize its impact on our decisions, and will likely question it’s real affect on us.
Cultural Worldviews & Frames
To understand the deeper reason we won’t run barefoot we need to first understand a few concepts. Psychologists and anthropologists – the folks who spend their lives figuring out why we do the things we do – tell us that there are underlying cultural stories that we use to explain our world. These stories help define and propagate rules about the way the world works and how we should behave in it. These stories, such as the story of Cinderella (which, interestingly, exists in pretty much every culture in the world), are examples of a larger narrative. In the case of the Cinderella story, the narrative is: oppressed woman is saved by man.
Narratives go a long way in helping a culture continue certain beliefs, values, and systems. Put simply, the way we see the world and behave in it is influenced a great deal by the stories we tell and buy into.
The Original Sin Narrative
I was listening to a podcast in which Ted McDonald (aka Barefoot Ted) was being interviewed. He was talking about the arguments folks have against barefoot running and the mentality that the human body is broken. It struck me how similar this belief sounds to the Christian philosophy of the Original Sin, that we’re all born deficient because man has sinned against God.
At the center of the Original Sin narrative lies Adam and Eve. In this story, God created Adam and Eve in his likeness and gave them the perfect world to inhabit and look after. It was all theirs on one condition: they mustn’t eat from the tree of knowledge. They are tempted by the devil disguised as a snake and eat fruit from the tree. Having broken their promise God they are banished out of the perfect Garden of Eden to live in the imperfect world we know today. While death did not exist in the Garden of Eden, it is rampant in their new world. The human body was suddenly susceptible to illness and death. We were created perfect, but disease and death entered the system with the Original Sin of Adam and Eve.
The effects of this story are quite profound. The narrative leads us to believe that the human body is damaged goods. The result of this belief leaves us dependent on technology, medicine, or divine intervention.
Western medicine and science have grown and flourished within this narrative. The Original Sin narrative is perhaps the best thing that ever happened to the medical industry. It’s why Western medicine generally treats the symptoms rather than look at the situation holistically with the goal to find and stop the reason we’re sick in the first place.
The Shoe Fits the ‘Original Sin’ Narrative
So what does all of this have to do with whether we wear shoes or not?
If our bodies are imperfect, thanks to the sin Adam and Eve committed in the Garden of Eden, we must need shoes. Our bodies just can’t handle the stress, impact, friction, and force of running. The Original Sin narrative underlies the reason most people won’t run without shoes. If they did run without shoes, they’d be going against one of the strongest, most foundational, and guiding narratives the Western world knows.
As the saying goes, if the shoe fits…
There is, of course, an alternate possibility. That we as a society are questioning the so-called absolutes of the Original Sin narrative and Western medicine frameworks. In this scenario, the rise in interest of barefoot running is the logical next step in our exploration into the power of the human spirit and body. Time will tell whether we’ve turned a corner or are still held by the grips of the worldviews of our forefathers and foremothers.
What do you think?
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If this was true, and the thought has some quality to it, wouldn’t it suggest that if comparing shod vs barefoot runners, you might find a larger group of old testament believers in the shod runners?
Or do you think the story itself has shaped society in spite of individual beliefs?
As someone who is a devout Christian and a believer in the story of Original Sin, I’d love to add my $.02. :)
I think you are correct in your analysis of one of the ways that the story of Original Sin has impacted people. I believe that story myself and have seen how it has affected me. I also believe that people have come to view that story in such a way as to rationalize frailty and weakness.
However, I don’t think God intended for that story to be used as a crutch. It’s not meant to say that we are messed up so we have no other choice. In fact, it is quite the opposite; I think it is meant to illustrate what happens when we stray from what we were designed to do. Once Adam and Eve did what they weren’t intended to do (disobey God), then things went to hell…literally.
If anything, I think this story should be an illustration as to why we SHOULD be running barefoot. Initally, we were running around without ANYTHING on. While I’m not necessarily in favor of that (obesity rates being what they are and all) the fact that when we go against what we were designed to do, things break. We weren’t designed to run in squishy shoes. We weren’t designed to slam our heels down with a straight leg. Even if you view the world as having been torn apart by disease and death, an evaluation of how the modern human foot looks STILL points to the fact that we should be kicking off our shoes before running. Whether you believe we evolved to this state or were created in it, the truth remains: running in shoes = bad!
At 6’5″, I’ve had back problems almost my whole life. Almost…meaning that last year when I “discovered” the barefoot lifestyle things changed. Now I’m either barefoot or wearing my Vibrams as much as possible. Since then, almost all of my back pain has gone away. (The only time I have it now, is when I have to wear dress shoes to work.)
So as someone who wears his Vibrams to church every Sunday and uses it as a tool to spread the word of barefoot living, I say we use the story of Adam & Eve to show those who believe in it why we SHOULD be wearing shoes.
Excellent post as always!!!!
Good question. I’m not sure about Old vs. New Testament. I do think there’s a force within the narrative that works throughout time.
David — To expand on your line of thought. Wearing highly engineered running shoes is like behaving like we know more than God. Instead of trusting that God created us perfectly, we act as if we can improve upon God’s creation.
Kind of like formula vs breast milk. It’s hard to improve upon the original.
Clynton, as usual, you’ve written and interesting, thought provoking post.
Good observation!
And unlike formula (which is useful if breast milk can’t be obtained), I can’t think of a useful reason for my running shoes.
Well, fashion statements maybe…but then we get into that whole vanity thing. LOL
David,
I would like to think that my feet are very fashionable in their unadorned state.
Great discussion guys!
I agree with David that this comparison with scripture leads to a conclusion that we should be running without shoes.
On a related thread, I’m glad the narrative has fig leaves!
Bob
The only reservation I have with barefoot running, as a Westerner, is that I grew up in a culture where we wear shoes before we can even walk. I’ve traveled abroad and have seen the differences in the feet of people who grow up in a culture that go barefoot pretty much from birth and their feet are broader, more calloused and have lower arches. I don’t think that at my age I can attain this kind of foot so barefoot running, especially competitively at endurance distances is out of the question. Now I won’t rule out running barefoot on nice loamy trails in Woodside or on the beach but I can’t make barefoot running a regular practice. It just wouldn’t make sense for me now.
Another thing I see is that barefoot proponents cite that injuries in running have been on the rise since the advent of the modern running shoe, but at the same time so has participation. Just like more people have a tendency to drown in the summer, more people are doing water sports. I have never seen those statistics qualified.
Now I’m not saying that I’m against barefoot running, it just wouldn’t make any sense for me to adopt it. Still these are my 2 biggest reservations, the 3rd being that enthusiasm for barefoot running is seeming to be generated foremost by a shoe company. If you have the time to bother, could you touch on my 3 concerns?
Thanks! Z
I’m sorry David, but to me it seems to me that you are saying that fat people shouldn’t be seen naked?
Oh, I can totally see how that’s what it looked like I was saying.
Let me clarify, I never called anyone fat. Also, I never said they SHOULDN’T be seen naked. However, I did imply that I have no DESIRE to see them naked.
To be perfectly fair though, I’m absolutely sure no one wants to see me naked either. Ha ha!
(PS — I seriously hope that all of this can be taken in good fun…and not as insulting.)
polynesianmetal — In terms of the 3rd point you raised, I have no idea what you are talking about. What shoe company is promoting barefoot running? If anything, I think shoe companies are promoting running in shoes. That’s how they earn their income.
I think any enthusiasm about barefoot running comes from people running barefoot. People seem to enjoy how it feels.
As far as feet. I went 4 decades wearing shoes. Yet, my feet were able to adapt to barefoot running. Feet can regain their strength.
I think in western culture, particularly the US, the underlying sentiment that discourages people from going barefoot is that it is seen as something poor people did or still do. Shoes are every bit as much a status symbol as fancy clothes, cars, and jewelry. Even many runners set themselves apart by their willingness to spend hundreds of dollars on shoes, as a way to show how elite they are or how committed they are to the sport. As well, the consumer culture relies on the ability to “buy” something as a way to solve a need or problem. It is almost considered heresy to think that the answer to our pains is something we were born with.
Bare feet are simultaneously anti-consumerist and the ultimate equalizer — something decidedly opposed to our capitalist heritage.
I agree that we shouldn’t let this narrative define what we will and won’t do. And I much prefer the message be that God created us with everything that we needed to run correctly, so we shouldn’t need big, clunky shoes. Keep spreading that word!
I love hearing stories like yours and mine, that walking/running in barefoot form keeps the pain away! What a wonderful thing that is.
Thanks for the insightful comments.
Excellent point and great analogy. I fully agree. Thanks for sharing that.
Ha! Sure is a lot of meaning tied up in the leaves from the fig tree! Probably no other leaves would get such a reaction from so many people! Excellent — or horrible — branding. LOL
Yes, I cringe every time I see infants trying to learn to walk in big shoes. It’s critical that they are able to get sensory feedback through their feet, and that’s severely compromised with big shoes on.
I’ve actually read that when people go barefoot and begin to use their arches how they were intended to, that the arches rise. The body is incredibly able to recover from years of abuse, I guess. You might be surprised at how your body is able to adapt.
I will say that it is difficult for competitive runners to transition to a barefoot form — running without shoes or in very minimal shoes with no arch support, raised heels, or padding — because it requires more than a month’s time. That’s an eternity for a runner. Having said that, I do think that elite runners can transition with some warm-up running every other day. My 12 Step Program to Run Barefoot (http://bit.ly/eGgHm) might be helpful for you to peruse and sprinkle into your running program. It was designed to layer over an existing running program, not substitute for it.
At a minimum, doing a bit of barefoot running will help strengthen your foot muscles which helps to reduce injury and increase speed. That’s what many top collegiate running coaches — Stanford for example — have their runners do a few times a week. A friend of mine was part of the team and shared the particulars of this first-hand. He now runs in Vibram Five Fingers.
In regards to shoe companies promoting barefoot running, I have only seen Vibram doing so. Most have waited until they’ve absolutely had to say something. Now companies like Nike have realized that a change in what people wear has been afoot so were first out with Reduced shoes, the Frees. Yet I wouldn’t say they have promoted barefoot running in any way.
I encourage you to give barefoot walking a try, starting with just a little bit every other day. Won’t hurt, and the upsides are potentially tremendous.
I hope what I’ve shared is of some help. Thanks for the comment!
Well said, David. I think the “Make it better by buying something” narrative is very related and equally strong. Another whole post could be written in a similar fashion about how capitalism will keep us from running barefoot (or at least buying shoes). The companies positioned to actually profit from the whole barefoot “movement” — if you can call it that — are those who make what I refer to as Reduced shoes — companies like Inov8, Nike, and increasingly more companies. While many buy Five Fingers, only a small percentage regularly run in them as far as I can tell.
Thanks for the great comment!
So many contradictions– so many double standards. just go run people and stop throwing stones in glass houses…
Amazing satire! Love it, but beware, some people might take your theory literally.
Ha, yeah :) Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Good advice indeed. Thanks for the comment! Happy, healthy running to you.
I used to be afraid to go outside for fear that wild dogs and animals lurked everywhere, ready to devour me. Drivers freaked me out too. Eventually, a whole world opened up when I started walking. That turned into hiking, which eventually led to scaling 14ers and trail running. Every “can’t” and fear I’ve believed in has dissolved through a simple process of logic and letting go, with a side of cautious courage.
Wearing shoes was my last crutch. I always figured that there was no way humans went with big, clunky shoes for our entire history. However, as a suburbanite, I couldn’t envision going without them. After reading ‘Born to Run’ and Barefoot Kenbob’s blogs, I was willing to give it a try. Now, the last crutch has broken. Yet another world has opened up for me, so I dig how you’ve all related barefoot running to epiphanies of various kinds. These days I loathe the times at work and cold evenings when I have to wear shoes.
What a fantastic story! Thanks for sharing. Shedding our shoes can indeed be an epiphany, and one symbolic of much larger transformations, if we’ve open to them.
Wow 80 years!!
It’s funny.. as soon as I heard about barefoot running, I got online to learn more about it and after reading only a few articles thought, I HAVE to try this! I only found out about it many 2 or 3 weeks ago, but I went out and bought Born to Run which I find so interesting, and I bought my Vibram FiveFingers today! I can’t wait to really get in to them, but I will be taking your advice and being patient! I took them out today and jogged for maybe 100 feet then walked back. I already love it!
So glad you’re giving barefoot running a try. And, that you’re taking it slowly at first to see how much conditioning your feet and legs need. Born to Run changed my life, and it did so when I really needed a change! I really enjoy seeing the enthusiasm caused by the reframe that we can do far more than we thought we could with our own bodies spread. Thanks for sharing.
Ahh, very interesting take. Has a way of explaining how many other cultures view barefoot walking, running and daily activities as quite normal in contrast to “No shirt, No Shoes, No Service” I saw in several places in the “South” :) for the several years I lived there.
This is an interesting theory and worth exploring as a part of the wider research on barefoot/minimal running etc. However, as with anything even just being alerted to something like that is in itself the beginning of a solution and the path to more questions. It’s quite awesome.
Thanks. Yes, a number of cultures view barefoot very differently as they have different narratives surrounding it. And you’re absolutely right, being aware of the worldviews that help shape our opinions and interpretations is in itself quite powerful. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Thanks. Yes, a number of cultures view barefoot very differently as they have different narratives surrounding it. And you’re absolutely right, being aware of the worldviews that help shape our opinions and interpretations is in itself quite powerful. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Very well said Clynton. Running barefoot is kind of fun too but would not be doing that forever. I still need to wear my shoes to protect my feet. Thanks for the very interesting post!
Thanks! I’ve found that I need to run barefoot pretty much daily in order to keep my feel conditioned. It might be different if I didn’t have to wear shoes to work. I’m looking forward to seeing the new Zem minimalist shoes.
This is a really thoughtful analogy, Clynton, thanks for a lively read.
Though I guess any analogy like this can get bogged down once one starts digging into the details, the basic theme here, “people are inherently broken,” is the same. But this notion that people are inherently broken isn’t one that we are born with… we have to learn it, whether we learn it from Sunday school or from running magazines. My 5-year old doesn’t think he needs shoes to run! And though he certainly knows there is right and wrong, I don’t think he believes he is inherently sinful. :)
There may be something less profound going on, though. Humans are a tool-using species. We know how well tools can work for all sorts of things. So it’s probably just natural for most people to assume that using a tool can help. It’s unusual to find an art where tools are a hindrance, but I think for many people running shoes are just that. Cheers!
ps By the way, there’s lots of info and discussion about barefoot running at the Barefoot Runners Society: http://www.barefootrunners.org/build2/