Welcome aboard!

I started going barefoot and lightly shod for the same reasons -- to
improve mechanics, and thereby cut down on wear and tear of knees,
back and feet.

I, like you, cannot always handle the terrain and need something... I
like the Puma H Street, which has recently come back into production.

(I do my treadmill miles barefoot, and in tougher terrain the
Pumas.) The HStreet isn't marketed as a running shoe -- it's light
and doesn't provide all that foot-prison "support" ...

I generally like to do some Achilles strengthening (google swedish
achilles strengthener) generally, and manipulate golf balls with my
toes to stretch and strengthen foot muscles.

Best barefoot wishes...
Mark

--- In RunningBarefoot@yahoogroups.com, "mswagner78" <mswagner78@...>
wrote:
>
> Just joined the board today. I ran a half marathon in 07 with shoes
> and ruined my ITB. I almost gave up on running because it just kept
> hurting, but then I found out about barefooting and thought I would
> give it a try. I started running in 5 fingers (I know, not quite
> barefoot) back in March of 2008 and I'm currently building for my
> first full marathon. I know many of you are true barefooters, but
> since I have felt the sting of rejection from the shod crowd for my
> independently moving toes, I was hoping I could hang out here.
>
> I do have a couple questions,
>
> I have had some pain between my second and third metatarsal on top
of
> my foot about an inch behind my toes. Anyone have any ideas for
> stretches or other conditioning to help with this?
>
> I'm planning to run the ING GA marathon in March, anyone else going?
>