Archive
From Clubfooter to Barefooter
Now, this condition and its treatment has not impeded me physically at all: I was quite active as a kid and continue to be so as an adult (numerous triathlons, a couple of marathons and various other running races, snowboarding, crossfit, parkour, etc.). This is good news for kids born with this fairly common condition (1/1000 births), and their concerned parents.
The only repercussion I’ve noticed has been a significant decrease in flexibility (dorsiflexion) of my affected ankle (right side). I didn’t become aware of this until my mid/late 20’s, though it may have been a factor before then — I just never noticed it. It’s most apparent when I squat down deep: my right heel comes off the ground right away, while my left heel stays flat on the ground as low as I can go. Stretching and yoga have helped my right ankle flexibility, but just a tad. This issue has been most noticeable when snowboarding, which require lots of ankle flexion in the rear foot (hence I’m goofy).
My right ankle seems to have a different skeletal structure which prevents it from flexing like my non-club side. Whether this was primarily a consequence of the casting treatment or the clubfoot condition itself, I’m not sure. Dr. Mishkin feels it likely is a consequence of the condition itself. Another noticeable thing is the asymmetry in my calf muscle structure of my right vs left side: My right calf is significantly skinnier than my left calf — something you would only notice when I’m standing still and draw attention to it. My right foot is slightly shorter and wider than my left and has a significantly different wear pattern on the sole.
On Twitter: @barefootr
- RT @BarefootPeace: Shoeless Micah: Consistently #barefoot student shares stories, perspective: Growing up on 40 acres of forest in Idaho, h… 2 months ago
- RT @ValaAfshar: This is why @usainbolt has the 100m World Record https://t.co/CGsfBfW0hX 3 months ago
- RT @BarefootPeace: Carmel musician logs thousands of miles running shoe-free: "He read “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall. A section of… 3 months ago
- @Run_Forefoot “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can”. - Arthur Ashe medium.com/swlh/start-whe… 4 months ago
- RT @stpetersfarn: Mrs Buckley has accepted the #stpeterschallenge This is amazing! #barefootrunning https://t.co/rwWZIFwQwM 4 months ago
- "For Tony, it’s simple science. Our feet are incredibly complex, so he believe that simplistic shoes are only going… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 4 months ago
- RT @etreas: Not a single snarky #barefootrunning comment or disapproving look on my run today. Instead I got a “That’s a great idea!” and “… 4 months ago
- RT @BarefootPeace: Here's a repeat tweet, with art, about the incredible #barefoot runner Tony Riddle @feedthehuman "People look at me and… 4 months ago
- "certain cyclists prefer riding barefoot as it offers more natural mobility and full extension of the leg muscles."… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 5 months ago
- RT @Reach_Nishant: Yoga bubble is an excellent idea to practice Yoga during the COVID19 and keeping one physically and mentally fit. See it… 5 months ago
- RT @BarefootPeace: Six benefits of walking barefoot: "You will realize that, once you walk #barefoot over time, your posture is better sinc… 5 months ago
- "People might stare, point, or even laugh at her for not wearing shoes, but that's never stopped Polina Smerch from… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 6 months ago
Blogroll
- Barefoot Angie Bee
- Toe Girl Tina
- Barefoot Energetics
- John's Yohe's Barefoot Running Blog
- Complete Beginner’s Guide to Barefoot Running
- Barefoot Runners Society
- Barefoot Running Debate – Podiatry Arena
- Natural Runner – Tina Dubois
- Why Barefoot is Best
- Barefoot and Paleo
- How To Run Barefoot
- Good Form Running
- Barefoot-Running.us
- The Barefoot Professor
- Barefoot Running University
- Living Barefoot
- Ken Bob Saxton: 'How'
- Go Run
- Free Thy Feet
- Society for Barefoot Living
- Barefoot Ted's Adventures
- The Running Barefoot
- Bourbon Feet
- APMA Position Statement on Barefoot Running
- The Art of Fitness – Barefoot running
- Vivobarefoot's training resources
- Primalfoot Alliance
- Bob Neinast – Avid barefooter
- America's Podiatrist: Barefoot
- Biomechanics of Foot Strike – Lieberman
- Barefoot Rick's BarefootRunning.org
- Barefoot running – Wikipedia
- Barefootin' – 5 Great Reasons to Go Barefoot!
- Vivobarefoot's resources (general)
- Run Natural
- Running Barefoot is Bad
- Take Off Your Shoes and Walk