[Normy]

I saw these in a shop last spring, and I was interested, but haven't bitten yet.

There is a book out there [cannot remember title or author] that talks about how modern running shoes cause a "heel strike" condition due to the built-up heel. This design was developed in order to protect the achilles tendon, but it leads to other problems.

If you watch a person run barefoot on grass you will see that we naturally revert to running on the balls of our feet, our heels barely touch down. They say that this is safer and more efficient, but I'm sure that if you started doing this, that you'd have to start slowly and cover short distances at first to avoid injury.

Foot/leg problems become a real-deal when you are past your 40th birthday, trust me. I finally found shoes that support my feet properly [Asics GEL Foundation], but about two years ago I developed plantar fascitis in both my feet and let me tell you, it wasn't a very jolly sensation! I might still try these, but if I do I think I'll try running on the beach at first.

N