Barefoot runners are just starting to show up at races and marathons in local towns, their bare feet causing stares. But what causes even more stares recently is the drink that some barefoot runners pour down their throats before running: chia seeds.

I won't try to say that chia seeds as a drink are appealing (not like a chocolate-java-peanut bar for sure). Mostly a chia seeds drink looks like frogs eggs floating in swamp water. Little black dots, which are the seeds, become pillowed in a blanket of see-through coating when soaked in water, then float and fill the liquid to the top.

Fortunately though, chia seeds have no real taste, and once you get past the weird texture, go down easily. And the benefits are big: chia seeds have been shown to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, have no gluten and only trace levels of sodium. They are also a great source of amino acids and antioxidants.

The feeling you get when drinking chia seeds while barefoot running is one of highly increased strength, stamina and energy. However, because chia seeds have low levels of sugar and no artificial colorings or flavors (it's hard to acquire artificial flavors while growing on a stalk) they don't give you the "high-then-low" feeling you get with a shot of sugars to your system, or the "yuck" factor that comes with it.

Chia seeds as barefoot running fuel have been used for hundreds of years by the Tarahumara, a tribe of barefoot long-distance runners who live in a series of nearly inaccessible deep canyons in Mexico. The Tarahumara will drink chia seeds as described, but they have also been known to simply carry a little pouch of the dry seeds along while barefoot running and munch a handful when more energy is needed.

While the Tarahumara harvested chia seeds themselves, and in fact the ancient Aztecs used to bring them to their rulers as "tribute" similar to gold, chia seeds might seem as difficult for a modern consumer to find as gold flakes today.

However, chia seeds are not all that difficult to find, if you know where to look. You can find chia seeds on many online sites today if you are willing to wait for them to be shipped in the mail. Or, you can check your local grocery stores.

If you have a natural or whole foods store in your area, you will almost certainly be able to find chia seeds there. Or, if there is a diet and health supplement store nearby, you may also be able to find chia seeds there, as they have been "discovered" in recent years by the diet and fitness communities (they are low in fat and high in energy).

You may even be able to find chia seeds at your local chain supermarket; these days there is often a shelf for health, natural or diet foods, and this is where you will find chia seeds.

Chia seeds come in different packages and of different qualities; what you get is up to you ultimately but I would suggest going with the organic ones if it is an option. Also watch the labels since some chia seeds are sold ground as powder, and some are sold whole.

If you are going to be making a drink similar to what I have described you will want the seeds, not the powder. However if you prefer to make smoothies or other foods with chia seeds included I have heard that that is what the powder is good for, though I haven't tried it myself.

However you do it, try getting some chia seeds and consuming them both before and during a barefoot run; if your experience is like mine, you will feel increased strength, stamina and energy like you never have before - a wonderful feeling, especially around mile ten or so!