Changing strides is hard to do

Evolutionary biologist Peter Larson filmed a throng of "barefoot" runners in NYC, many wearing those funny-looking Vibram finger shoes.

They wanted to land lightly on their forefeet, or they wouldn’t be in FiveFingers, but there was a disconnect between their intentions and their actual movements. “Once we develop motor patterns, they’re very difficult to unlearn,” Larson explains. “Especially if you’re not sure what it’s supposed to feel like.”

A year ago I got a pair of Merrells that aren't as goofy looking. And I found a good training video of easy exercises (essentially running in place). But a year later, I'm still not sure what it's supposed to feel like. Now I understand why it takes Tiger Woods so long to change his swing.

Christopher McDougall's article in the New York Times covering the trend & the industry, and a Science Daily piece about recent research on the mechanics.