Barefoot running

Barefoot running is one of the best medicines in existence. Its virtues are almost unknown in population in general. Even professional runners are skeptical. An average man cannot run barefoot due to soft soles accustomed to unhealthy protection of footwear. An average runner cannot easily switch to barefoot running because the practice requires a redefinition of the mechanics of the run. That redefinition comes spontaneously over time (see: Incremental life). Switching to barefoot running requires patience and no special training. The change in the physics of running is what makes barefoot running virtually injury free.

Skeptical bystanders worry about glass, hard surfaces, obstacles, cuts, and infections. All those worries come from the lack of knowledge of the statistics of barefoot running hazard events.

When I wrote "2L blew my socks off", a friend noticed: "He could not blow off your socks! You are always barefoot".

This glossary entry is used to explain texts in SuperMemo Guru series on memory, learning, creativity, and problem solving