A Return to the bare

Following a little time off from my barefoot running experiment I'm back at it.  Instead of the benchmark of loops around the high school track, this time I'm increasing my distance more gradually and at smaller intervals.  I started over two weeks ago by beginning each day with 5 minutes of barefoot running, in place, in the grassy area of my backyard.  After one week of this, I graduated up to 5 minutes of barefoot running up and down my street.  Same time, first thing each morning.  Now, this week I'm up to 6 minutes.  Which coincides nicely with one loop around my block.

I'm having much better success, so far (knock-on-wood).  I'm not experiencing any pain in my feet, nice calluses are developing on the bottoms of my feet, and the skin on the bottom of my feet is not peeling like crazy as it did before.  (The peeling skin wasn't painful as much as it was annoying and rather disgusting.)  My plan for now is to keep with a steady, slow increase in time.  Just one additional minute each week.  The downside is while it's still warm in the morning for now, it won't be long until that asphalt is frosty at 6 AM.  We will have to see at that point if my feet are toughened up enough to take the encroaching cold.

Barefooting Fail

After my last barefooting attempt, one week ago, the tops of my feet hurt.  It seemed like I had maybe over done it.  Since then my right foot has been fine, but the joints behind my second and third toes on my left foot have been a little sore.  So, tonight after a pretty easy two miles, I ended up at the high school track and thought I would just play it by ear and stop if it started to hurt any worse, and hurt worse it did!  I got around the track once, but it was painful.  I could barely stand to land on my left foot.  So, it looks like I'll be taking a little time off from my barefoot running.  At least until this stops hurting all together.

Still hot (but the track was not)

Updated view of the feet!  Definitely have a few blisters going.  But all-in-all I'm feeling great.  It was another hot night, so I still took it easy.  Just 2.5 shod miles, and another 2 miles unshod at the track.  Only this time I went much later in the day and the track was not so hot :).

The tops of my feet hurt a little, and this was really the reason for my stopping after 2 miles.  Everything else felt great.  I feel this may be a sign that I'm not being consistent enough with my barefoot training, and that tonight may have been a bit too much.  However, I'm also wondering if I am not landing too far up on the balls of my feet.  Reviewing the blisters on my feet this seems to support the latter diagnosis.

I will see how the tops of my feet feel in the morning before I start thinking about it too much.

Don't you know that it is hot, hot, Hot!

Thursday evening our power went out at around 5 o'clock.  Not too surprising with how hot it was.  However, after 30 min of sitting around in a hot house we decided that we might as well go for a run.  We tried not to push it in the near 100 degree heat, and so after a slow 2 miles I ended up back at the high school track for a little barefooting.

Did I mention the heat?
     ...near 100, check

and the time?
     ...about 5 in the late afternoon, also check

and a high school track... in the heat... late in the afternoon... without shoes...

Not a well thought out idea :( to say the least.  I made it around the track 5 times for 1.25 miles.  However, my feet were burnt.  I spent the next several days hobbling around, trying to tread lightly on the roasted balls of my feet.  Skipped my Saturday morning run.  Yeah, that bad.

I did notice something as I ran around the track, feet tingling of melted flesh.  It was a really hard run!  I was winded and my calves hurt, even though my distance was half of what I had done comfortably three nights before.  I had to really push to get just that 1.25 miles in.  A much different scenario than had been the case through other barefoot endeavors, thus far.  I came to realized that running is really easy, UNLESS your hurting, then your body and mind do everything they can to shut you down and stop the pain.  Like if you're repeatedly smashing your heal into the road, or running barefoot around a scorching track surface.  Then you do things like trying to speed up to get it over with, or alter your stride to relieve the pain, or slouch over to... well I'm not really sure why we slouch but if you ever run the last couple miles staring at your sneakers, you know what I'm getting at.  We were born to run, and for those of us who are struggling through the miles each time, we are doing it to ourselves.  If we just make a little more effort to follow our instincts and run how we want to, not how we're told, we would all be astounded at just how far we could go.

Another run tonight, currently 94 degrees (heat index of 104) at 6:30.  I think I'll wait another few hours before I head out. :)

More Iskiate and another 2 barefoot miles

Tonight was my first run since going on vacation last week.  I just wanted to take it easy and get in some relaxing miles.  I started off with 2.5 shod miles which ended at the high school track, where I did 2 miles barefoot, and then ran the remaining 1 mile home.  My feet are a little sore, the calluses having gone a little soft in their time off, but all-in-all it was a good run.

 I also made another attempt at chia fresca (or iskiate).  This time I used:

• 15oz of water
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
• 3 tablespoons of honey (approximate)
• 1/4 fresh squeezed lime
• a pinch of salt

and instead of stirring it I shook it well in a water bottle, let sit for 5 min, shook again, and drank.  The honey made all the difference enhancing the sweetness, and brightening the flavor of the lime.  I was very hesitant with the salt, not wanting to overpower the rest of the ingredients, but my caution was for not as there wasn't the slightest hint of it.  Success!  I do need to look that I'm adding in some electrolytes or glucose to help replace what will be lost during my run, but I think I've got a good start.  No more Gatorade for me!  (Except the two in the fridge that I need to drink ;)

Iskiate

I finished reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall while on vacation this last week.  If you enjoy running you have to read this book!  In the story McDougall talks about several foods, eaten by the Tarahumara Indians, one of which is a drink called iskiate (pronounced iss-key-ahh-tee).  It outlines a simple recipe in the book, and I found more info at the No Meat Athlete.  This drink is supposed to be nature's Gatorade, times 10, and it's very simple.  It consists of chia seeds partially dissolved in water.  Now after a tall glass of it, on a sleepy Saturday afternoon, it certainly has my attention.


Though, this was not all success.  I was unsure as to if I would prefer the more or less gelled version so I did my best to split the difference.  I flavored the drink with a little lemon juice, let it sit about 8 minutes, and then down the hatch.  The flavor was lacking to say the least.  I had only the slightest hint of lemon to start, and nothing after the first couple of gulps.  The more gelled the chia seeds became the less palatable the texture was.  I was unable to finish the whole glass, however, I made it through all but the dregs.  I think in the future it may be better as a smoothie.  Frozen strawberries, yogurt, and chia seeds all blended together, this sounds like a better plan.  I also just found a post out in the inter-tubes suggesting a substitution of lemonade/limeade instead of water.


I'll experiment further and report back with my findings.  Tomorrow, I plan to attempt the pinole recipe.  We'll see how that goes *crosses fingers*.

1.5 miles

Not much to report about last nights run.  I got 6 laps around the track this time, and while it was after dark I managed not to step on any unseen obstacles.  Beyond my 1.5 barefoot miles I also fit in another 8 miles shod.  The barefoot training felt fine.  My legs, or more specifically my calves, are getting much stronger, but my feet were still a little tender after the run.

My finance did go and try on a pair of the Five Fingers KSOs at Garry Gribbles this weekend.  She said they were very comfortable.  She did not purchase any (they didn't carry a color she liked), and I think she may partly be waiting for me to try them and provide a more in-depth analysis.  I, for one, am waiting until I can get some more distance under my barefeet.  I'm concerned that the amount of feedback I'm currently receiving from my feet when running might be reduced resulting in new problems from a poor running form.  I do not want to trade one set of problems for others, and so for the time being I'm content with my barefoot track work.

1.25 bare miles

This post is coming a little late after the run.  I got behind with other obligations the past couple of days, but not to worry, with a little laundry going I can fit in some time to catch up on my runs from the last couple of days.

Thursday
I was able to get out and get in 5.5 miles despite the heat.  Here in Kansas we are regularly getting up in the low to mid 90s each day, and it's taking quite a while to cool off in the evening.  This easily makes it a sticky 85 degrees at 8 o'clock when we get out to run.  Not exactly my favorite time of year.  Within that 5.5 miles I did 5 laps around the track, barefoot.  Giving me 1.25 miles of barefoot running for the evening.

This was a good night for my running as it gave some real qualification to my reasons for attempting barefoot running.  While I was doing the shod portion of my running I was feeling the typical pressure in my knees as well as pain in my right hip.  As soon as I started running barefoot this pressure/pain became completely absent.  I did have a little bit of "pain" on the outside part of my right foot.  This was hurting prior to me starting to run, not sure why, but it definitely caught my attention as I kicked off the sneaks.  Now, three days later it isn't bothering me at all.  I will keep it in mind but not worried about it.  Chalking up another successful night of barefoot running on the board!

Saturday
I love my Saturday morning runs!  It is my absolute favorite way to start my day.  However, this Saturday morning I had a little extra trouble dragging myself out of bed.  Therefore, I didn't get as early a start as I would typically prefer.  I was, once again, facing some hot, hot weather, and a deadline to get back and mow the grass (oh grass, such a love hate relationship is ours in the summer).  As a result I did not get in any barefooting this day. Just pulled out a 5 mile run, 2.5 m straight out and back.

I was intrigued to notice a little extra strength in my calves which led to some increased speed.  However, in my excitement I pushed out a little harder than I might have otherwise and ended up bonking a bit around 4 miles.  My final mile was spent focusing on keeping my head up and placing my right leg in front of the left, and not so much on pace.  Then I arrived back home and got the grass mowed.  If you can still spend 90 minutes out in the yard with a tempature of 90 degrees (and heat index of 100), the run couldn't have been that bad now could it.

1 barefoot mile (at a time)

Tonight I got out and ran 5.62 miles (measurement courtesy of my handy Garmin Forerunner 305).  While this isn't far for me at all, the big news is that one whole mile of that was barefoot!  I'm still just working on the high school track, but my feet felt pretty good and my calves barely bothered me at all.  I did keep it slow, just 11:15 on my 4 laps around the ring.

More so then increasing my distance tonight, I worked on listening and feeling.  I listened to my feet hit the track and tried to make as little sound as possible.  I listened to my breathing and made sure to keep it steady both by remembering to take deep breaths and by adjusting my tempo to keep my exercise in an easy, aerobic state.  I felt how my feet were landing, and worked to adjust my stride, speed, and posture to get the right landing.  The right landing on each step is a lot like the perfect swing in golf, or release in basketball.  When you hit it, you just know it's right.  That is how every step is supposed to feel, and it seems to take all the effort right out of the motion.  Like getting a freebie prize at the county fair (only I didn't have to fake crying to get it).

My run was very satisfying tonight.  I really enjoyed it, and it was great to have such, seemingly, substantial progress on my barefooting.

Don't you know that it is hot, hot, hot!

Went for a run yesterday.  Just 4 miles mid morning, nothing big, and planned to end with another three laps around the track as I did on Thursday.  However, by the time I finished up three miles, and was getting back to the high school, it had just gotten too hot.  Forcing me to take a pass on my track work.  The heat index was near 100 (F) degrees and there was absolutely no wind.  I figured the track surface was going to be blisteringly hot, and just more than my nubile feet could withstand.

So, I will look to get out there again Monday evening once it has cooled down.

Barefoot Running (take two)

After three days of rest, I'm happy to report that my feet are healed up and ready for another try at this.  So, I headed out for a 2.5 mile run which ended at the local high school.  After so much pain (shivers at the memory of) it seemed like a good idea to try this on a softer, and less debris strewn surface.  The high school track was just the place.

I did three laps around the track giving myself a total of 3/4 of a mile, barefoot.  The results this time around were much more promising.  While my feet still hurt a little, it's no where near the pain I experienced on Monday.  My calves are also feeling better, and I did increase my distance.  Success all around!



All the red on my feet is from the track.  Does kind of show me where I land, kind of like an ink test.

The Barefoot Professor

This is a great video to help understand the basic ideas of barefoot running. The seismograph illustrating the impact absorbed by the body at each landing was particularly eye-opening for myself.

In case anyone is having trouble with the video here, the link is below.



The Barefoot Professor

My feet on Day 1

Today I made my first attempt at barefoot running.  After an easy 2.5 mile run I ended up at the nearest park, took off my shoes, and ran 0.57 miles on the asphalt trail through the park.  It took me 6:25 to do, much slower than I normally run, and at the end my dogs were barking!  I then re-adorned my shoes and ran another half-mile home.

All the reading I've been doing over the last few weeks all said to take it slow, and they weren't kidding!  Now, several hours after I have finished with my run I have blisters on my big and second toe, and on the ball of my foot behind my fourth toe, on my right foot.  My left, while soar, seems to be fairing much better.  I've always had a severe over-pronation on my right foot, for which I have, for many years, worn Brooks Adrenaline motion stabilization shoes.  So, to find that my right foot is a little worse for wear at the start of this new chapter of my running is not surprising.  I am wondering if I am landing too far forward on my foot, or if it is just my "soft" feet needing to build up more thick skin.

I guess now I just need to let these blisters heal up a bit and try it again.  I think I might try to run on the track at our local high school next.

Hospital Hill

On June 15, 2010 I ran the Hospital Hill Half-Marathon in 2:02:25.  Now, after over a week of recovery, during which I have run not so much as a mile, my right hip and both knees still hurt.  What am I doing!  Perfectly sane people go out day after day, year after year and "run through the pain".  "Human beings," we say, "were born to run."  We say these things to ourselves convincing us that this is all normal, that pain is just a part of life.  We ignore that small logically based voice in the back of our skull reminding us that pain is the part of life that teaches you to stop doing the things that's cause you pain!


So, now after some admittedly amateur research I've decided to give barefoot running a try.  If nothing else, perhaps the pain in my feet will distract me from the other parts of me that hurt. :(