DAY 1 - .75 miles
My first day of "official" barefoot running. I say "official" since I've actually run barefoot in the past but for no more than 1/10 of a mile or so, just to get a feel for my form. I used to be a serious heel striker and then a little over a year ago I switched to pose running. If you're not familiar with pose I highly recommend that you check it out. It was a challenging transition, but it has allowed me to increase my mileage comfortably and get back into my running. My limit at the time of my transition was only a couple of miles and then my neuroma would render my foot numb and stingy, I would have the feeling of a hammer knocking into my right knee and my bunion would throb. Ok. I know. My feet sound gross, but hey, I'm being honest here. And since I'm being so honest let me just back up and list my issues so you can get a better feel for what kind of challenges I'm up against starting out with this.
But lets get back to my first experience.
I consider my run today a success. I have one blood blister on my middle small toe on my right foot, but for the most part, my run was comfortable and smooth. I have to say, though, that the concentration that is required by barefoot running (at least for me so far) made me more out of breath than normal. I really had to concentrate on picking up my feet as opposed to pushing off - a technique learned in pose running which seems to have aided me well. Shodded, my average street pace is about 9-9.5 min mile and I normally run between 5 and 7 miles at least 3 days a week. Hey. I have kids. And not a lot of time. So I consider that a lot. My goal is to start out slowly and begin completely barefoot then integrate myself into some Vibrams, if needed, since I would love to be able to do some trail running. I guess this is something I will have to experiment with.
- morton's neroma (both feet)
- a fairly large bunion (right foot)
- plantar fascitis (right foot - seems to be gone for the time being)
- chondromalacia patella/runner's knee
- over pronation
But lets get back to my first experience.
I consider my run today a success. I have one blood blister on my middle small toe on my right foot, but for the most part, my run was comfortable and smooth. I have to say, though, that the concentration that is required by barefoot running (at least for me so far) made me more out of breath than normal. I really had to concentrate on picking up my feet as opposed to pushing off - a technique learned in pose running which seems to have aided me well. Shodded, my average street pace is about 9-9.5 min mile and I normally run between 5 and 7 miles at least 3 days a week. Hey. I have kids. And not a lot of time. So I consider that a lot. My goal is to start out slowly and begin completely barefoot then integrate myself into some Vibrams, if needed, since I would love to be able to do some trail running. I guess this is something I will have to experiment with.
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