Barefoot on the Treadmill?

Last night at the gym Jennie and I decided to test out our new style of running. We worked out on the elliptical for about 30 minutes and then decided we should give the whole barefoot thing a try. We had heard from several people that we needed to start slowly and carefully so as not to injure any of the muscles that we haven't been using with our fancy running shoes.

We started out walking barefoot on the treadmill at about a 2.5-3.0 speed. We definitely got some funny looks from those around us at the gym! After about 5 minutes of walking (it felt really nice to be barefoot I might add) we decided to go for it and jog for a few minutes. We jogged at about a 5.0, a 12 min mile pace, which is slower than either of us typically run, but it was our first barefoot experience. We both loved it! Definitely need to build up the strength in my ankles and shins and the callouses on my feet, but it felt so nice--so natural compared to running in shoes. Jennie said she definitely felt it in her calves more than anywhere else. I think my calves were alright because I tend to take shorter strides and stay more up on my toes, even in running shoes.

My biggest complaint is that the balls of my feet are rather raw this morning. I will definitely have to build that up, but I think that I prefer the barefoot feel to wearing the Vibram Fivefingers that we tested out. Jennie definitely wants a pair of the Vibrams but I think I'll save the money and use my bare feet. I am also thinking about investing in a pair of the gladiator running sandals for running on rocky terrain.


Overall, it was an awesome experience and I think this change is important on our road to the life more abundant (no pun intended)! I'm hoping this will motivate me to run more often and enjoy it. I'm also in the middle of reading Born to Run which is helping to motivate me. Who knows, maybe we'll actually do our half-marathon!

EDIT: And now that I've read more about barefoot running I'm realizing I don't need to build up callouses, but instead I need to change my technique :) Apparently I need to land lighter and pick up my foot sooner--those actions should help avoid any friction!

Run like the Ancients

When we were home in Christiansburg for Labor Day weekend and my grandma's 90th birthday, my dad passed on to me Christopher McDougall's book Born to Run. Inspired by the great distance runners, the Tarahumara Indians of Copper Canyon, Mexico, McDougall explores the ancient art of running, trying to discover out how the Tarahumara manage to run up to 60 miles a day, often several days a week, for 60-70 years of their life, and rarely, if ever, end up hurt. In comparison, 80% of all modern runners is hurt every year.

What he finds is a culture of people who enjoy running and who trust their body (their legs, their feet, their ankles) to carry them wherever they need to go without the need for fancy footwear and expensive orthotics. When he discovers that no medical study has ever proven that the newest and 'best' running foorwear prevents injuries, and in fact they typically cause running injuries, he dives into a training plan that stresses natural stride, minimal support, and a quick footed lightness that protects the body from injury.

The book profiles interesting characters, all runners who come to their passion from different avenues, and culminates in a 50 mile run through the Copper Canyons of Mexico, pitting some of the best ultra runners in the US against the legendary Mexican runners.

I walked away from this book inspired to change my running style.

There are many reasons that people decide to make the change, many of them prompted by nagging, permanent, running injuries. I have been fortunate never to have had any major issues--no plantar fasciitis, no stress fractures, no Achilles injuries--just a few minor muscle tweaks, and currently a nagging hamstring that I just can't seem to heal and that seems to re-injure without warning in a variety of exercises.

My hope in making a change is that this nagging injury goes away as the rest of my legs get stronger. Also, I am searching to embrace the spirit of the Tarahumara and really focus on enjoying my running. In the runs that I have done since finishing the book (including one 5 miles race), I have really tried to zero in on letting my body run and enjoying how it feels. I tried to erase thoughts of distance left and time, and to trust that I do know how to run (even if using my current running style). At the end of each run I felt good--tired in a great way--and I managed a decent, consistent pace throughout the whole run.

The next steps are to change my footwear, forcing me to alter my stride, and then to start training slowing, letting my body adjust to the changes and letting my feet and ankles strengthen over time.

My dad is at least 4 months into his transition and he says he is a completely changed runner. I hope to follow in his footsteps.

Hopefully Heather and I can both embrace our inner runner.

And if you haven't read the book Born to Run yet, I highly, highly recommend it.