Black feet
So, I have been toying with the idea of minimal shoes or barefoot running for a few months now. I trained and ran the Eugene Marathon in Newton shoes, which are supposed to resemble more of a natural stride. They worked out great for me and hopefully they will have helped to make the transition a little easier. The plan was to get the Vibram Fivefinger shoes next, but money and availability have gotten in the way. So, I figured why not just go straight to the real thing.
I went to a barefoot running clinic at the local shoe store, Bandannas. The clinic was given by a couple that have been running barefoot for some years now. They started a barefoot running group in Boulder, Colorado and have now written a book, Barefoot Running, on how to start barefoot running. The clinic inspired me to get out there and go for it. Since then I have been on a few runs along the Boise Greenbelt, while running I take my shoes off and run, barefoot. They said that it is a good idea to start out slow and only do it every other day. I have not been entirely consistent. My plan is to actually stick to it.
Yesterday, I went on a four mile run and ran about two of the miles barefoot on the Boise Green Belt. There is something liberating about running along the path with no shoes on. The result of my run, black, sore feet, but still smiling. They say, the tougher your feet get the more they can handle. As one woman on the Green Belt yelled, “You’re going to have some tough ass feet!” Let’s hope she is right.
Stay tuned as I explore all the steps to getting started with barefoot running.
I hear your calves are super sore!! I have been trying to be mindful of landing on the balls of my feet in shoes, have you found your rhythm without shoes?