Tempe, Arizona  /  Sunday, April 18th @ 9AM – 12PM

Where: Fitness Road Wellness Center
209 E. Baseline Rd.
#E-108
Tempe, AZ 85283

More info & register @ www.barefootrunning.eventbrite.com

Barefoot Running Coaching:

We design custom training programs to meet your specific needs, whether you’re a recreational athlete, a professional athlete, or recovering from injury, we’ll design a special plan for you!

We can implement the following tools depending on your needs:

• Drills to Improve Technique & Form

• Video Analysis

• Conditioning Exercises

• Pilates

• Balance Ball Work

• Foam Roll Stretching

• Imagery & Visualization Techniques

• Meditation

 We have special rates for the following:

• Distance Coaching

• 1-on-1 Coaching

• Group Coaching

• Corporate Events

• Speaking Engagements

• Gift Certificates

 For more information, contact info@runbare.com 

The Barefoot Running Club celebrates after its first 5K in Lyons, CO.

Testimonials

“ I am hear because I love running and this is a whole new type or style of running I have never experienced. I love the power of the mind and what you can do when you keep pushing your edge. If I can learn to meditate and run…what an amazing blessing that could be for me. ” ~ Tasha Loy Riggs

 “ Michael and Jessie are great guides in helping us how to barefoot run “the right way”. I am very inspired by this meetup and recommend it to anyone who is interested in healing, health and well being while meeting great people! ” ~ Dennis Shaver

 “ Let’s get back to how we were meant to be! Let’s get in touch with our inner child and connect with mother earth! ” ~ Cyl

“ As time goes on I am finding that I am not only enjoying this, but my previous knee pain is reduced. and I am learning to be ‘lighter on my feet”. Awesome group!! ” ~ Alan

“ If you want to explore barefoot running, this is the place. ” ~ Steven

“ This is a really fun group, and great for your body and soul. ” ~ Andrew Swartz

“ Friendly people looking to have fun doing something we were meant to do. ” ~ Tyler

Michael Sandler in a hospital bed one day after surgery on his shattered femur, broken hip and broken arm.

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 about ADD/ADHD, Michael experienced a life altering accident. While inline skating down Boulder Creek Trail in Boulder, CO, a father teaching his toddler how to walk stepped in front of Michael’s path. To avoid a collision, Michael threw himself up and backwards and landed mid-rotation on a cement sidewalk. 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… and 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, along with a healthy dose of rebelliousness, Michael became a walking miracle.

Only a week out of his living room hospital-bed in 2006, he set the record for finishing the Bolder Boulder on crutches (and with a broken arm). Two weeks later, Michael finished the Denver Half Marathon on crutches (second to last) 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’ from before the accident, when 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 passing cyclists while barefoot running up Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder. He’s capable of running 30+ miles barefoot and is currently averaging 80-100 miles of 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 in 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 by promoting a more natural form. It gives us greater feedback with the ground, and by keeping us lower to the ground, helps us avoid 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.

For several years now I’ve been running barefoot through the snow, becoming somewhat of a ’snow runner’ when conditions are good. I’ve always wondered when the day would come it’d be captured on film. Two days ago we were working on a barefoot running video with Ray Keller when inclement weather began rolling in. We asked if Ray’d be up for shooting in the snow, and he was.

So yesterday Ray, 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!!!

Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee barefoot running 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 will appear 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 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.

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)

Our Mission

Healing Body, Mind & Soul One Bare Foot at a Time

The mission of RUNBARE is to promote and inspire healthy lifestyle changes and improve overall physical awareness, fitness, and performance by encouraging individuals to spend more time outdoors barefoot, grounding with the Earth and connecting with oneself.

Our Core Values

• We are dedicated educators, who aim to help our clients run for a lifetime.

• We inspire and motivate our clients.

• We care about our clients’ health, happiness & overall well-being.

• We create opportunities for our clients to surpass their personal expectations.

• We encourage children and their families to spend more time in Nature.

• We support social & environmental responsibility.