There are many tips out there on how to run barefoot, with more being offered up on a daily basis. Some of these tips can be confusing or downright contradictory to one another, though, which can kill curiosity and interest in giving it a try. Or worse yet, people end up injuring themselves and giving up. The confusion can make putting a barefoot running program together for yourself rather difficult. Here's the training plan I put together for myself to run barefoot.

A few nights ago I dreamt that I was running freely down the trail in perfect form. There was no pain, no limping, no concerns whatsoever. Instead, I was having the time of my life. As I recalled the dream the next morning I was once again filled with the joy I had during my dream run. It was incredible just how much fun I felt while I ran.

The nurse who took my blood today at UCSF during my pre-op noticed my black Vibram Five Fingers on my feet. With a surprised voice he said, “Oh, those are fancy shoes!” He asked if they were for swimming. When I responded saying they were for running, it was my turn to be surprised. He [...]

A growing body of scientific research shows that runners experience less injuries and faster times when they run barefoot or with minimal padding. In fact, research published in Sports Science in 2001 by Michael Warburtin points out that, "Laboratory studies show that the energy cost of running is reduced by about 4% when the feet are not shod." Translate the energy saved into time over a run and you are going to experience a personal record. Add the reduced chance you'll suffer an injury and it's a big win for us runners.

I am going to file this one under stupidity caused by Vicodin. I was passing the local high school track on my way back from seeing my general doctor (no more high blood pressure!) and decided I would do some barefoot walking on the infield – you know, the green area in the middle of [...]

I recently finished reading Born to Run, A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen. To say that it turned everything I thought I knew about running upside down would be an understatement. I literally discovered that things I had just learned about running – and from some of the most accomplished coaches out there – were completely wrong. In fact, some of the lessons people taught me could very well have been contributing to my injuries!