Ken Saxton's feet after running 50 miles in 2 days.

OrganicAthlete: How did you first get into barefoot running?

Ken Saxton: I grew up in a rural area, in northwestern lower Michigan, near the little finger. Actually just outside of the hustle and bustle of Traverse City, Michigan. I think back in the 50's-60's-70's, when I was growing up, the population was about 10-15,000 people. I lived 15 miles south, in a village named Grawn, population: about 200. Running around barefoot just seems the natural thing to do, when you're not surrounded by shopping malls and big cities and shoe police. Besides, my mom didn't like us to get our good shoes dirty when playing.

OA: What are the advantages of running barefoot vs. running shod?

Too many to remember, but I'll try.

• Lighter than shoes.
• more flexible than shoes.
• fit better than any shoe. better than a glove!
• no more athlete's foot.
• more awareness of how one contacts the ground, which helps improve running technique and reduce the risk of black toenails, lost toenails, blisters.
• the feet are not protected from exercise, therefore they grow stronger and healthier.
• Cheaper, obviously, but also save money on socks, bandaids, powders, ointments, anti-fungal potions, etc..
• Less baggage.
• Always have the right running shoes for the road, trail, track, etc...

OA: Are there any surfaces you avoid running barefoot on?

KS: Hmmm.... Let me think about that. Actually I like to seek out and explore new surfaces. The variety is stimulating and constantly reminds me of one of the most important differences between running barefoot and running shod, the sense of touch.

OA: Why did you go vegan and how does running barefoot coincide with your vegan, low-impact lifestyle?

KS: In 1987, I ran my first marathon. I wore shoes, and my feet blistered horribly. But the soles of my feet were fine. I had already been running more than a third of my mileage barefoot on the beach. Anyway, I had achieved my goal of completing a marathon in my lifetime, and I figured I didn't need to go through that kind of torture again, so I figured I didn't need running shoes any more.

In 1990, when I got married, I sold my car. So, I had to bus, bicycle, or run to work most of the time. When I started running to and from work, I thought I would try running barefoot, even on the asphalt and concrete. At first I carried my shoes in a backpack. But, my feet were never the limiting factor. So I stopped carrying the shoes. At the time, it was about an 11 mile commute each way. Usually I only ran one way, in the same day. Rarely, I would run to and from work in one day.

Shortly after getting married, we became vegetarian for ethical reasons. A year later I became Vegan.

Probably the only relationship, besides the "leather" (dead animal skin in shoes) factor, to running barefoot and being Vegan, is a matter of simplifying life and seeking good natural health. Not that I believe being Vegan is natural, boy, people really get mad when I say something like that. But, I can say, for certain, that after being an omnivore for 35 years, being Vegan has improved my feeling of well-being. Not to mention the spiritual side of it. Oh, I wasn't going to mention that....

OA: Why did you start barefootrunning.org? Have you seen the popularity of running barefoot grow in recent years?

KS: In 1997, I began racing again. This time barefoot. I had no idea that people would make a big fuss about it. But, the questions kept coming. Why, How, etc... At the time, the Internet was just starting to become popular, and I tried to find some other information about running barefoot, but there wasn't anything available on the web. So I started my website. And got tremendous response and contributions from others.

OA: How do you get started running barefoot? Should one just jump right into it?

KS: Less of a jump and more of a peddling motion. The body should be traveling vertically. If one takes enough quick steps, the body falls very little in between, and there is much less jarring, than the typical "jogging" type of running, where the goal is to launch the body up into the air, and slam back down on an extended leg.

As with any change in life, my advise is to begin very slowly, with very short distances, and build very gradually. The reason, for this gradual approach is because it takes time to:

• learn how to re-establish communication from our feet to our brain, which in many cases, has been blocked for decades.
• strengthen the feet, not just the skin on the soles, but also the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even the bones, have been kept weak by lack of use.

Pay attention to what your feet and body tell you. If they say to back off, then back off, for a while. If they begin to hurt after not running for a while, then it's time to get back to running again. Starting very short, very slow, and building very gradually, constantly paying attention to running technique, and feedback from our feet and body.

Of course, everyone has different approaches. And many have started out, just removing their shoes and continuing running their same programs. Often the result is injury, which further slows, not only the transition to barefoot running, but also running in general, for weeks or months.

For more information about running barefoot, please visit Ken Saxton's website at barefootrunning.org.

Addendum

A reader asks, "Does Ken comment on the urban/suburban barefoot runner's increased exposure to pesticides, herbicides, oil and other chemicals?"

Ken responds: Yes, we can control our exposure to many synthetic chemicals in many aspects of our lives, like not eating foods with added preservatives, or meat from animals that have been raised on chemical diets. We can avoid perfumes, perfumed soaps, colognes, fabric softeners, and other toxic lotions, potions, powders, etc.. We can wear more natural fabrics (or go naked, occassionally), shop organic when possible and practical, etc..

When we take care of cleaning up the more intimate exposures of our bodies to both natural and synthetic junk, which we actually have the most control over, our body should be healthier, and better able to tolerate toxic chemicals in the places we can not control. And obviously, we can control where we step when barefoot, so if we see, for example, sewage seeping out and covering miles of sidewalk, we wouldn't want to spend our entire run or walk, wading through it. Seek a better path, if available.

On the positive side, we can also choose to expose ourselves to good stuff, fresh air, sunshine, plenty of water, whole natural, preferably fresh, foods, good friends, solitude, shade, etc.. All within reason. For example, don't go lay in the sun for 8 hours every day, for a week, after being cooped up inside under florescent lighting all year long. We wouldn't constantly hang around with friends we hardly know, after being a recluse for a decade. Seek a natural balance, similar to the environment from which we came to be. And make changes gradually, giving our brain time to learn, and our body and spirit time to adjust.

Once we take control of the aspects of our lives which we can control, we can do our part in changing the things that are controlled by society at large. But, it is still very important NOT to stress so much about the things we have little or no control over. Uncontrolled stress is one of the biggest threats to our health and our ability to function well. Don't be fearful of getting a little dirty.

Take time to enjoy living. Have fun,
-barefoot ken bob