Shoes!

These are the NewBalance MT200R trail shoes.  I am really digging these shoes.  They are minimalist shoes with zero slope from heel to toe and help keep your foot as nature intended.  I am doing some research on barefoot running, and considering adding it into my running routine.  Considering that we have a really nice trail system here in the Tallahassee area, trail running is an interest that I have yet to pursue. It is suggested that you slowly incorporate this type of shoe into your running routine.  Perhaps only 10% of your training at first and gradually increasing it until your muscles and bones are adapted to the new way of running.  It almost seems as if shoes have caused us to have difficulty adapting to a more "natural" way of using our feet.  From what I can tell, this type of shoe forces you to be a mid-foot striker rather than a heel striker, thus reducing the impact shock of landing on your heels and over time damaging ligaments, tendons, muscles and bone structure.  The more I research the more I am inclined to just go and buy some.