Runners Knee to Barefoot Running – Chapter 7

”Its the journey that counts”

And what a journey it has been so far. I ran 12km barefoot the other day. But now it is getting dark earlier. That means hats with lights in the peak and a greater risk of injury from all the little “ouchies” on the running path. Bring on the vibrams. I love these…I was almost going to say shoes but they are more like rubber soles for your feet. I only run in them when I have to as barefoot still feels much better but they are awesome for when:

1. I am not sure about the condition of the running trail

2. Its late at night

3. Its a really hot day and I dont want to burn my feet

4. Its a really cold day and I dont want to freeze my feet.

Runners Knee to Barefoot Running – Chapter 6

Lets keep it real people.

Blisters! Blisters! Blisters!  The thing never to be told is the pain of the hardening of feet. Lets take a few minutes to think about it. You were born with no shoes. In some countries you are never afforded the privilege of wearing a pair of Nike or Asics shoes.Yet you somehow manage to randomly find  your way to elite running races and win. Need proof. Google Zola Bud.

If you are a Victim of Shoes (VIS) and want to free yourself there is only one way. Take them off. So far it has been a long and hard journey  My first barefoot 5km took me 37min. Today it took me 32 and I hardly raised a sweat.

In the interest of science I might put my shoes back on and see how long it takes me and what kind of injuries  sustain.  Ok. Self challenge accepted. Locked in for tomorrow. Stay tuned.

In the words of Phil Jackson who coached  the Michael Jordan era of the Chicago Bulls …..”Its the journey that counts”…………………..

Runners Knee to Barefoot Running – Chapter 5

I am going to continue to go barefoot.

I am going to start every new post with the last sentence of the last post. Just for fun. Hence the first sentence.

I hit the gym yesterday and did 1km barefoot on the treadmill. It felt good. None of the calf pain I originally dealt with but plenty of top of foot pain. I actually should not be running at all. My body is saying rest. But if listened to it all time I would end up like millions of salad bar dodgers needing lap band surgery. NO EXCUSES. Pain heals. Well that is kinda funny but for my own mental health I needed a run.

I decided to head down to the water front and run barefoot for 5km. If I walked a bit, I walked. No big deal. My feet have to toughen up and will just have to get used to it. After about 3km my feet were burning like crazy and I could feel the huge blister on my right foot growing with every carefully selected foot placement. I ignored it and concentrated on the lifting of my feet after the heel drop, kicking back and landing under my hips, back straight.  I eventually found some grass it was a nice relief for about 1km then I headed back to my car. The last 400m were really hard. Every foot placement was agony. Finally, 5km done, 37mins, 369 calories.

Side Note: A lot of information exists about how to go barefoot but little about the actually pain you might go through. So I am going to keep this story of adhoc chapters about mostly pain. Lets keep it real people.

Runners Knee to Barefoot Running – Chapter 4

Been on a cruise for two weeks. Told myself that I would be good and not eat too much and hit the gym on a regular basis. What can I say….I tried.  Only put on 3kg.

But I did manage to get in a few barefoot runs around the deck. It was  good place to begin barefoot running becuase it was flat, no sharp objects and course was short, 400m.

The first run was good. I did a mile and felt ok. Had some minor pain in my calf muscles but apart from that it felt good. I rested for a day and decided to go run two miles. After the first 1/2 mile the top of my left foot was really sore. I continued running not thinking too much about it because I was only going really slow and put it down to just a little niggle from making the transition. I should have  read a few more blogs. The pain the next day was terrible. It felt like I had broken a bone in my foot and I could hardly walk on it. That was the end of my running for the cruise.

I have since learnt that top of foot pain is very common among runners making the transition to barefoot. I have come across 4 main theories:

1. Stress fracture

2. Tendonitis

3. Pinched Nerve

4. Scar tissue from toes starting to move apart now that they are not protected by a comfy shoe.

Personally I like the 4th theory. It is not likely that I broke anything running around a flat 400m track. I didn’t run long enough to get tendonitis and can not see how a nerve got itself pinched up on the top of my foot. The scar tissue I am not sure about but it does make send that as your foot starts to become accustomed to its new role in life of actually supporting you that it will need to change its shape.

I have now also developed a similar but less painful issue with my right foot. I have used some rock tape to support it and done some massage which has really helped. I am going to continue to go barefoot.

 

Runners Knee to Barefoot Running – Chapter 3

My knee has been really really sore and painful. So much so that I have been unable to go for another barefoot run until today. Older and wiser I decided to do start out on the treadmill. What can I tell you.

1. Well, after about 500m your feet get really hot hitting a synthetic rubber pad that keeps forcing your foot backwards.

2. This eventually turns into a blister on toe (big toe in my case, damn that pronation!)

3. Followed by “Hey I this is your calf muscles and ankles and that arch your foot. If you dont mind too much we need a rest”

4. Ignore body parts and continue. You are after all running.

5. 1km in 7:35. not breaking any records but feeling good.

6. Ignore stares from curious onlookers in $250 running shoes landing heel first and grabbing knees at end of run.

 

Update. I can now run 2km on the treadmill. Socks help.

Runners Knee to Barefoot Running – Chapter 2

Up at 6am today and out the door with my thongs (flip flops) on my feet and no shoes in site. I ran 700m before I had to stop. Here are my tips for your first barefoot run.

1. It hurts your feet. Pure and Simple. So don’t think you can just go out and run a fixed distance like I thought I could. Was going to run out 500m and then run back. I made 360 and then let my feet cool down the grass before very slowly making my way back.

2. Don’t leave your shoes behind. I decided to just leave my thongs at the start point. I should have carried them with me.

3. People look at you strange. The usual “hello” “good mornings” were replaced by people looking the other way and staring as if you had lost your shoes in a big night out and were just trying to make your way home.

Tomorrow should be fun!

Runners Knee to Barefoot Running – Chapter 1

Ran 21km training session on Sunday in 2:04. Then on Tuesday ran 10km 0:48. Was a little sore but didn’t think much of it because I have always had some pain at the end of long hard run. Should not have run the 10km but lets just leave this out of the analysis. Life takes you on amazing journeys if you let it. I had a cortisone injection for the pain but it didn’t work. I had two sessions of acupuncture that were great but only lasted 48 hours each before the pain returned.

I visited a so called specialist sports medicine doctor from which I received the advice to buy a new pair shoes. Pretty pathetic really now that I look back.

So I have taken matters into my own hands. I have done my own video analysis of how I run. Then I analysed how I run without shoes. My legs move differently and my feet obviously land forefoot first in instead of heel striking. Its an odd feeling but I feel better protected without shoes.  This may be a placebo effect of only just starting out but time will tell. I am up at 6am tomorrow to run 1km barefoot. Should be fun.