5 Tips to Building Strong, Healthy Pads for Barefoot Running

 
1. Raw Food = Great! Raw Feet = Not so Great!
Don’t run until your feet are raw. Bring your shoes (I call them hand weights) and put them on, or return home once your feet get sensitive.
2. Never go until you blister.
3. Resting. It’s not being lazy. It’s being smart.
Between workouts, give a day of [...]

Michael Sandler Running Barefoot in Deep Snow on Film Shoot

Yesterday Ray Keller, Jessica, and I headed out in the snow to have some fun. It was a fantastic day, with over 18 inches of snow on the ground and falling! Thank you Ray Keller for filming in such difficult conditions, and Pearl Izumi for the gear. Enjoy this little clip, and enjoy Mother Nature!!!

So You Want to Get into Barefoot Running…

Here are 5 things to expect on your path to running barefoot:
1. Skin will be soft and tender. If you run or walk every-other day, the skin has a chance to grow back STRONG.
2. Your arches will fatigue. Try toe scrunches or working with a golf ball (grabbing it with your feet) to strengthen the arches. [...]

Preparing for the Cold

Michael Sandler running barefoot in Boulder, Colorado at the start of an April 2009 snowstorm.

When you run barefoot in the cold, your muscles are forced to do the work to support your feet that shoes or over-supportive boots used to do. Before, when you ran in the cold, your body shunted blood AWAY from your [...]