........ I was considering trying barefoot running as I'm quite a flat-footed runner and a heavy heel-striker, which I think could account for some of the hammer that my knees have taken.
As I understand it you don't run on your heels when barefoot running you sort of run on your toes so that your foot spreads the shock. It's almost like you're falling forward when you're running and you take shorter steps. If you've got iffy knees then learning an alien technique will probably not help and I expect any form of impact training is probably detrimental. Ride a gentler gear until you know what damage you might be doing/have already done.
As I understand it you don't run on your heels when barefoot running you sort of run on your toes so that your foot spreads the shock. It's almost like you're falling forward when you're running and you take shorter steps. If you've got iffy knees then learning an alien technique will probably not help and I expect any form of impact training is probably detrimental. Ride a gentler gear until you know what damage you might be doing/have already done.