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Running feats-- Scott employee goes big with little foot wear

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Frank Jones wears a suit jacket, khakis and a green bow tie to work, but it's not his unusual work attire that people notice--it's his bright green barefoot running shoes.

Jones, 375th Air Mobility Wing community support coordinator, began running in 2002 when the Air Force began its transition into being more physically fit.

"The extent of my running used to be once a year, when I did the physical fitness test," said the retired colonel. "I realized I should probably do more than that because the Chief of Staff wanted us fit. So, I started running and the more I ran, the more I realized I enjoyed it. I got to where I am today, which is running six or seven miles every day and longer runs on the weekends."

Since he started enjoying running, Jones has completed 18 marathons, including four Air Force marathons and the Marine Corps marathon.

After so many marathons, Jones said one stands out in his mind.

"I did one at the University of Notre Dame," he said. "The marathon ended in the Notre Dame stadium. As I ran through the tunnel, the Notre Dame fight song played at the conclusion of my 26.2 miles. It was the greatest feeling in the world."

As the runner became more experienced, he stopped wearing traditional footwear and began wearing running sandals, minimalistic shoes, or wearing no shoes at all.

"My running partner got me into it," he said. "He and I run together practically every day. He started running in sandals and told me I had to try it because it's so much fun. For me, the important thing about running is it has to be fun. Running is not something I do because I have to; it's because I enjoy it. When I run barefoot or wear sandals, it's like being a kid again."

His running partner, William Nichols, said he made the switch from cushioned running shoes to minimalist running shoes after he participated in a marathon and saw someone running with them on.

"During my first half marathon I saw a guy in the toe shoes and I thought it looked cool, so I started some online research about it and learned about the barefoot movement," he said. "Then I started reading about Mark Cucuzzella and the natural running form. I tried the toe shoes and transitioned into sandals. Then I tried barefoot running. Jones and I ran half a mile at first and then we slowly ran further and further. Now, we run nine or 10 miles barefoot."

Jones said he prefers running barefoot, but sometimes he can't do that because of the surface he runs on sometimes.

"Barefoot running is the best because it's just you and nature," he said. "There are some paths you can't really run barefoot on because there are rocks and things that can hurt a barefoot runner. That's why I have these various sandals to wear."

In his collection, Jones has sandals for every occasion, from trail running to running in the rain or snow, which have more grip and prevents his feet from slipping.

Jones said he has experienced some positive health benefits from running barefoot or with his running sandals.

"I used to get aches and pains when I wore running shoes and I don't get those anymore because my running form improved greatly," he said. "I had ankle and tendon issues wearing shoes. Because of the way wearing sandals or going barefoot forces me to run, my running seems more mechanically sound, so I don't get injured anymore."

Nichols, who has run 10 marathons, said he also experienced fewer health problems after he made the switch.

"I used to run in big, cushy running shoes and I was having back problems," he said. "When I went to the zero drop shoes--a minimalistic running shoe--I didn't have those issues anymore. I also found I had more energy and could go farther and longer."