The Story Behind RUNBARE

Michael & Jessie skip around puddles on slickrock in Moab, UT.

In the Summer of 2009, Co-Founders Jessica Lee and Michael Sandler launched the Barefoot Running Club in Boulder CO. In three short months, the the club has been featured on the front page story for the Denver Post sports section and appeared in the November issue of the Competitor. Meanwhile, Michael Sandler has been interviewed for an upcoming documentary on ultra endurance athletes and has been contacted by athletes and experts across the country about the club and RUNBARE. The club’s huge success inspired Jessica and Michael to launch a RUNBARE, barefoot running school to help people looking to heal, to get back into running, to overcome adversity, reconnect with nature, and find a different way of living.

What’s in store for RUNBARE in early 2010?

The publication of ”Barefoot Running“, a guidebook on how to transition into barefoot running (March 2010)

Talks at running shoe stores, clubs, conferences and other venues nationwide.

Barefoot running coaching to inspire and educate the public on the benefits and intricasies of barefoot running.

Michael Sandler’s Story

Michael Sandler, former speed skater and professional level cyclist, suffered multiple injuries over the course of a lifetime, the last of which occurred just over 3 years ago. Weeks before a planned inline skating world record attempt across the country (LA to NYC) to raise awareness around ADD/ADHD, Michael experienced a life altering accident. While inline skating down Boulder Creek Trail, a father and toddler stepped in front of Michael’s path. To avoid a collision, Michael jumped backwards, landing on concrete. The result – a broken arm, broken hip and shattered femur. Doctors told him the usual story – he may not be able to keep his leg… he may not be able to walk again… he most definitely would never be able to run again.

Fortunately, Michael doesn’t believe in limitations. He’ll be the first to tell you he doesn’t believe in the word, “Can’t”. Slowly but surely, through a combination of determination, meditation, trust in the universe and the power of nature, Michael became a walking miracle.

In 2006, a week out of his living room hospital-bed, Michael set the record for finishing the Bolder Boulder 10K on crutches (and a broken arm). Two weeks later, Michael finished the Denver Half Marathon on crutches and became the only person to ever complete the half marathon on crutches.

When he finally got off his crutches, Michael gradually worked himself into barefoot running. He was still being told he couldn’t run anymore, and with a ‘leg length discrepancy’ of over 10 millimeters, struggled to find balance and overcome nagging pain. Known as ‘Mr. Plantar Fasciitis’, as he needed custom orthotics just to walk across the living room floor, going barefoot was a major leap of faith. The first day, he ran 100 yards. Then he iced his feet for 2 days. The second time, he ran 200 yards. Then iced for another 2 days. And so it went. Today, Michael can be seen barefoot running up Flagstaff Mountain passing road cyclists. He’s capable of running 50+ miles barefoot and is currently averaging 80-100 miles barefoot running a week.

To Michael, barefoot running is not running at all. He says, “I don’t run anymore. I dance.” The benefits are multifold. Barefoot running activates many more small muscle groups than running with shoes. It allows us to run as our hunter-gatherer ancestors did – the natural way our body was intended to run. It heals old sports injuries and by promoting a more natural form, gives us greater feedback from the ground, and by keeping us lower to the ground, it prevents new injuries. Barefoot running naturally promotes better, more efficient running posture and allows runners to surpass any speed they were ever able to attain with shoes. While the body heals, strengthens and economizes, the spirit heals and awakens. There’s something to be said about feeling the earth beneath one’s feet – feeling connected and grounded with nature. Suddenly, you’re thinking more clearly and you’re on top of the world.

Michael Sandler’s History

1988-1992: Trained at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for both speed skating & cycling.
1990-1993: Competed as a professional level cyclist in Europe.
2000: Harvest Moon Half-Ironman – Completed last 10K in 35 minutes.
2000-2001: Competed in the Ironman and other long-distance tri-events.
2001 & 2002: Cycling Track Colorado State Champion; Beat the National Team in the Olympic Sprints competition.
2002: 7th in Master’s Nationals Cycling Sprints; 10th in Points Race.
2003-2004: Sponsored by Rollerblade.
2004: Biked across the country, 5000 miles in 40 days, solo, unsupported to raise awareness for children and adults with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). He was interviewed by 40 different television stations, including CNN and the CBS Early Morning Show, before being invited to meet members of the House and Senate on Capital Hill.
2006: Coached professional Japanese running teams residing in Boulder, CO (Including cross-training: Pilates, Strength-Training, Ball & Balance work, Stretching, Visualization Exercises).
April 2, 2006: Shattered femur, broke hip, broke arm; Told by doctors he would never run again and may never walk again.
2006-present: Studied the mechanics behind barefoot running and now runs 10-20 miles/day barefoot.
2009-present: Coaches the Barefoot Running Club in Boulder, CO. (170+ members)