Barefoot on a stony track

Hi all,

just coming back from injury and im gonna start running up and down a 1.5m uphill track which is quite stony, thats all good, but my physio recommends me using barefoot shoes, which i have used on the flat so far, so my question is, should i still use them on this uneven surface or not, its like a farm track but quite stony, any advice would be appreciated.

thanks

Sounds like a world of pain Scott!

People tend to fall into 2 camps, pro barefoot/minimalistic, or anti...and i must admit I'm the latter.

But one thing I'm sure even the keenest supporters would say is to ease in very gently....surely the wisest thing to do is stay flat and smooth surfaces until you build up tolerance...and only then introduce longer/harder surfaces.

Quite intrigued at a physio suggesting that tho...is it a sports physio, or a foot specialist?

sports physio recommended as i've been struggling with injuries due too having one leg longer than the other, tried insoles but never got to the problem, so he recommended barefoot, which is like but do pronate(is that right word)  in them, so its half good, half bad. Feel like they may be the right option but to be honest the furtherest i've been in them is 3m. My physio suggested them also to try and get me mid/front foot running, always been on the heel before now, and thus he recommend uphill as it more front foot landing if that makes sense. 

I'm into minimalist shoes and barefoot generally, but there are some circumstances where proper shoes are the more suitable surface for most people.

The absolute worst surface for running in minimalist shoes is a canted slope (cambered to one side) with stones, such as a rocky field. If it's a muddy, soft surface then you won't do your body any harm even if you heel-strike, as the ground will absorb as much of the impact as your body. 

I would seperate running for your enjoyment on trails from running therapeutically as your physio has advised. The latter can be done on firm, man-made surfaces over relatively short distances. He's right to suggest that running up hills will help teach good form.

I run over all sorts of surfaces with my merrell barefoot shoes, doesnt seem to hurt. I think the theory is, that if your feet can feel what you are landing on they adjust your footfall accordingly. havent had anything hurt yet (touch wood!), have run over stones, tree roots etc.