Brian Runner

Before the race Thursday morning I spent quite a bit of time looking at people's shoes. Over the past couple years I’ve developed myself into a minimalist. I like flat, light, low to the ground shoes with no heels. The most substantial shoe that I'll run in is a running flat, and the most minimal I go is completely barefoot. The rest of the time I’ll take the Vibram FiveFingers route which is somewhere in between. So anyway, I found myself looking at other people's feet, seeing these "standard" running shoes with their huge heels and aggressive outsoles, wondering "How the hell does anybody run in those things?" But of course there was a day when I too didn't know any better, fell pre to the industry, believing that more-is-more.

When online I never miss the chance to preach the gospel of minimalist running. But perhaps it is time to take the message to the streets. Maybe this summer I’ll run some local short races in Vibrams or indeed fully barefoot. That should turn some heads and start some conversations….