I read this thread yesterday, and I have read several articles in running magazines about barefoot running before. As a guy who runs a couple of times every week I have gotten quite aware of my running step and have struggled and put a lot of effort in developing an efficient technique. Reading this thread inspired me to try barefoot running on my middle distance run today. Of course I didn't do the whole 12 kms barefoot, but chose an intermittent part.
Most of the trails I run on for these distances are covered with bark chips, which provide padding for the broad majority of joggers. This surface, along with todays super padded running shoe soles are said to releive the stresses that jogging/running induces on tendons, bones and muscles (I have never accepted this, rather, I have always thought that we have gone soft today). I too most often use modern 'anatomically' padded and supportive shoes. The exception is when I have participated in different terrain running events and orienteering events, I've used non-padded studded orienteering shoes for those times. Don't ask me why I don't train in those..
Anyway, after a few kilometers of running as a warm up, I un-laced my shoes and started running without the shoes. First thoughts were that the surface didn't provide any padding at all, where the bark chips used to be, there were now only gravel and pebbles. So for my next try I will try some real forest trails, instead of running trails. The next thought were that I had to focus on my running step, there were virtually no possibility to just bounce along on the springy soles, I had to really think about pushing with the ball of my feet for the last part of the step, every step. This was really an eye opener. During descents I really had to focus again, on how I put my feet down, again, no bouncing on the soft soles. I tried some sprints, again, focusing on putting the power on the ball of the feet, but also the very known fact that the best way to increase speed is by increasing the pace and smaller steps rather than taking giant strides (talking about speed over longer distances, not real sprints, where powerful longer steps are necessary). After 2 kilometers or so, I grew weary of the constant pain from the gravel, and the groun got worse and worse so I donned my running shoes and did the last kilometers as usual, except for one thing. My feet felt all warm and fuzzy, like I had gotten some kind of massage! Strange, but it was a nice feeling. After the run I did my usual chins, push-ups etc. and stretched. I now feel, as expected, a bit tired in the muscles within the feet. Nothing strange about that really. I will definitely try to do more of this, I think this can be a good way of developing even better running efficiency and get a step that reduces the risk of injuries, strains and fatigue in the legs. This is really good in the long run (hehe) I think.
For hiking I will probably not go barefoot for several reasons, I think it will reduce my mean distance per day, and I will have to be constant aware of where I put my feet, which will take focus from my surroundings, and I think the risk for injuries greatly overweighs the pros. But I will have to see after a few more tries of running.
My 2 kilometers worth....