Just read Christopher McDougall’s article in NY Times about barefoot running training. I like the exercise he mentions in the article to train your body to run barefoot better. His general recommendation seems to be that we should be running on our forefeet. I agree with this mechanically but realistically it hasn’t worked for me. My calves are entirely too weak to do this. I’ve strained them many times trying.

As a result my current running style is something of a hybrid of what he recommends and the old heel strike pattern. I use a rolling foot strike technique to get the job done in my Converse sneakers. Seems to work for me. Part of this technique involves a lateral foot strike which rolls inward. I believe this dampens stress to the foot. It seems a gentle way to run.

I think it’s important to keep in mind that many people are built differently and bring different histories to their running. Some are heel strikers, some are toe strikers and everything in between. The bottom line though is that you should avoid injuries by understanding how your walking/running style may be contributing to pain. I cover this in my upcoming book, Fixing You: Foot & Ankle Pain. I wish there was one clean answer to foot injuries and running style but, frankly, all of us are built differently and this must be reflected in our walking/running styles.