running barefoot and overstriding

Rickshaw · Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 1:03 pm

I've heard that a common problem among novice runners is overstriding-- taking longer strides than is efficient. Shorter strides with a higher rate of leg turnover is supposed to be a less tiring way of maintaining the same pace. There's less vertical displacement and wasted energy. If you are a "heel striker" and land hard on your heels with each stride, chances are you're an overstrider.

A good treatment for this is supposed to be barefoot running, since it's practically impossible to overstride while barefoot. A couple of miles of barefoot running per week is what's recommended.

This all makes sense to me, but finding a good place to run barefoot is going to be pretty tough. If you've tried it, where did you run and how did it work for you?