On Saturday, 53-year-old runner Erik Rueschman of Akron will get up and join the 2,500 participants in the 10th Annual Goodyear Half Marathon and 10K. Unlike the other runners, however, he won’t be lacing up his sneakers – he plans to run the 13.1 miles barefoot.
The race starts at 6:30 a.m. at the Goodyear Proving Grounds & Test Track, winds through Akron’s East End and Ellet neighborhoods, and ends at Goodyear’s Global Headquarters.
For Rueschman, who lives in Ellet and started running in 2008, the route is familiar territory.
Just one year later, he ran his first marathon – but he continued to suffer from painful back problems. Although he loved his new sport and was connected to it, he considered giving up running altogether.
“It just sucked,” Rueschman said. “I struggled with it for about a year. I got bigger, thicker shoes. I got custom orthotics, expensive custom orthotics. Nothing really helped. Eventually I got pretty depressed and close to giving up running.”
A friend recommended that Rueschman read Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run, a book that tells the story of how Native Americans in Mexico’s Copper Canyon managed to escape the Spanish conquistadors and advance deeper into Copper Canyon.
Rueschman was particularly struck by the fact that Copper Canyon locals wore almost nothing on their feet when running 50 to 100 miles. This inspired him to try more minimalist running shoes like Vibram’s “toe shoes” or even no shoes at all.
Akron runner describes barefoot running as a sensual experience
In May, Rueschman completed the Cleveland Half Marathon barefoot with a friend who also took off his shoes for the race. He recalled walking the course before the big day to check for any spots that might be uneven without shoes.
According to Rueschman, to avoid particularly dangerous areas, he ran on the painted traffic lines on the street or jumped onto the sidewalk.
“I’m not an extremist,” Rueschman said. “I’m not saying you need to go out (and walk barefoot) right now. You need to be careful, so the first thing you can do is take off your shoes and socks. Get used to walking barefoot in your house, in your yard, and maybe even up and down your street and sidewalk.”
By running barefoot or wearing minimalist shoes, Rueschman said he became more aware of the ground beneath him and had fewer problems accidentally stepping on rocks or other uncomfortable surfaces due to his increased awareness. He compared running barefoot to a foot massage.
“The less you have on your feet, literally, the more connected and anchored you are to the world, you get more tactile feedback and stimulate your brain,” Rueschman said.
Although Rueschman has participated in many road races, including 5Ks, half marathons, and marathons, he prefers trail running. During his running career, Rueschman ran the Buckeye Trail 50K, a 31-mile race, and the Burning River 100-mile race.
Although Rueschman does not run the trails barefoot, he still opts for a shoe with no drop and no padding.
To prepare for the Goodyear Half Marathon, he’s been training barefoot and supplementing his runs with yoga, a practice he’s incorporated into his routine for 26 years. Rueschman said he recently became certified in Lyra, a style of yoga that uses a hoop, through Release Yoga.
Ever heard of Sin-Eater? Runner is a local heavy metal musician
Besides running and yoga, Rueschman also plays in a heavy metal band called Sin-Eater, which originally formed in the 1990s before disbanding and reforming in 2013.
Despite his lifelong passion for music, Rueschman avoids listening to music or having his phone on him while running. Instead, he uses the time to disconnect from technology and be more present. He said he feels similarly when he leaves his shoes behind.
“It’s another clue that touches on the whole technology thing and shows how much people are moving away from their natural environment,” Rueschman said. “It’s walking barefoot – you’re connecting more with your primitive self.”
What to expect, road closures for the Goodyear Half Marathon and 10k
Nearly 2,500 participants are expected to compete in Saturday’s race, the second of three events in the Akron Marathon Race Series presented by Summa Health. The FirstEnergy Akron Marathon is Sept. 28. For more information about this week’s event, including road closures and times, visit tinyurl.com/2024GoodyearHalf.
