{"id":242,"date":"2011-02-14T12:46:08","date_gmt":"2011-02-14T12:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/neilon.co.uk\/?p=242"},"modified":"2014-01-13T21:17:03","modified_gmt":"2014-01-13T21:17:03","slug":"barefoot-marathon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neilon.co.uk\/?p=242","title":{"rendered":"Personal trainer throws out running shoes for marathon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Personal trainer Neilon Pitamber of Neilon PT will be running the Brighton Marathon http:\/\/www.brightonmarathon.co.uk\/<\/a> in April 2011 \u2013 and his first step was to throw out his running shoes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neilon (37), from Osmond Road in Hove, will be adopting barefoot running techniques and wearing a pair of minimalist Vibram Fivefingers\u00ae http:\/\/www.vibramfivefingers.it\/eng\/default.aspx<\/a>, the shoe designed to help people walk and run the way nature intended.<\/p>\n

Barefoot running and minimalist shoes are becoming more popular with people looking for elegant simplicity in an increasingly complex age \u2013 in much the same way that single speed bicycles have enjoyed a cialis 10mg<\/a> surge in popularity.<\/p>\n

Why barefoot?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Neilon said: \u201cTo me it feels more natural and safer than running long distances in conventional running shoes. It seems to me that many ailments that afflict runners \u2013 like over-pronation, tendonitis of the Achilles tendon, knee issues, shin splints and collapsed arches \u2013 can be linked to wearing modern running shoes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not an experienced runner \u2013 I\u2019m effectively starting my training from scratch \u2013 so I thought I might as well do it \u2018barefoot\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know wearing a pair of Vibram Fivefingers\u00ae isn\u2019t really going barefoot but I\u2019m taking the coward\u2019s way out \u2013 at least for my first marathon! It takes a long time to toughen up your feet safely and you never know what you\u2019re going to tread on \u2013 or in! And anyway, it\u2019s cold out there.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut even wearing something as minimal as the Fivefingers\u00ae has its disadvantages. I lose a little proprioception \u2013 awareness of how my body is functioning \u2013 and it takes a little longer to pick up the subconscious signals telling me how to place my feet and deal with different surfaces.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve only been out for a few runs in my Fivefingers\u00ae so far but I can already feel new muscles working and I\u2019ve noticed that my right foot \u2013 which has always pointed slightly outwards \u2013 has straightened up.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, barefoot running has many potential benefits. Greater awareness and \u2018body intelligence\u2019 bring about a more balanced use of muscles and joint alignment with proper distribution of forces, preventing injury and making the activity more enjoyable and challenging.<\/p>\n

\u201cRather than slapping along like ducks, runners should aim to be a bit more gazelle-like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starting gently<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although barefoot running is what our bodies were designed for, a lifetime of wearing shoes means you can\u2019t expect instant results. Neilon said: \u201cIf you\u2019re interested in trying out barefoot running the trick is to start very gently. Begin with very short runs \u2013 much shorter than you might be used to \u2013 and build up from there.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe barefoot running gait is very different. You should aim to be landing somewhere between the forefoot and mid-foot \u2013 not on the heel. The feet land under the body rather than in front, where they actually act as a brake. The trick is to lean forward at the hips slightly, keeping the body straight, and to pull the legs back and up rather than lifting your knees in front of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holistic health<\/strong><\/p>\n

Neilon believes in looking at the big picture when it comes to health and fitness. He said: \u201cAs a personal trainer I like to take a holistic view. I’m interested in overall health and wellness, not just a single-minded fixation on one goal to the detriment of other areas of fitness and wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my book, wellbeing means feeling good, happy, prosperous, joyful, driven, satisfied and willing to embrace challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when it comes to fitness, taking the holistic view means considering strength, speed, agility, flexibility, power, accuracy, endurance, balance, stamina, and coordination. And my approach also includes short and long-term health, how free of injuries you are, how much enjoyment and happiness you feel in your life, your work\/life balance, your social life, your effectiveness at work and so on.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no need to sign up for expensive gym membership to benefit from Neilon\u2019s expertise. As a registered Workout at Home http:\/\/www.workoutathome.co.uk\/<\/a> trainer he\u2019ll train you in the comfort of your own home if that\u2019s what you prefer.<\/p>\n

Further information<\/h2>\n

Contact Neilon: pt@neilon.co.uk<\/a> or 07956 200 273<\/p>\n

Links<\/h2>\n