I agree with everything mentione above. I happen to be a fan of barefoot, but it's certainly not the only way. It's just the way that worked for me so I'm happy to talk about it. And I do often run in minimalist shoes, the more minimal the better. But i still incorporate some true bare runs too, and for me it helps to pull my form back if I start to get sloppy. But i know many people who also run in full shoes, who do the same. As mentioned, it's not about being bare footed, it's about the running form that it encourages. Many people find that once they have the form they run without pain in shoes as well. It's about learning to run gently and minimize those impact forces, however that works for you.
I'm just excited I've been able to go a full week now, running or doing extended walks every day and my achilles doesn't feel any worse, maybe even getting better. ( In conjunction with all my icing, PT stretches etc.) Maybe it's the new meds kicking in too...
in any case I can't wait for some more of this snow to melt off so I can get off the dreadmill again.
Happiest that even after some long layoffs, I'm able to get back up to 20-25 minute runs so quickly. Seems the body mostly remembers! I'm a little sore in the muscles again, but nothing unexpected after 6 months rest 