2 miler

Friday I ran a shade under two miles. It was a pretty good run, although I stopped at one point because my calf felt really tight. They have been pretty sore the past 2 days. After consulting the barefoot Yodas out there, I am trying to hard to keep my heels up, which essentially is an eccentric contraction (flexing a muscle while it is lengthening), which gives much more DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness.) I went out today, and I found that my calf is too sore. I followed my fellow barefooter runners advice and just tried to pick my foot up quickly once it touches the ground, but I'm finding my heels are hitting the ground. I need to be 4 years old again with perfect form.

102?

Barefoot Ted has run 102 marathons barefoot.

Wussed out because its 29 degrees out- running tonight when Eve gets home.

Word

Night time is the right time

I elected to take a night run instead of going out in the rain yesterday. A shade under a mile and a half. No problems, except for these blood blisters on my heel. No big deal, didn't notice them until later in the evening. I like running in the night- little traffic so I can run in the busier roads, and I don't think anyone will mess with someone running barefoot. They'd probably think I was Ninja in training. I'm officially registered to run the Boilermaker 15K in Utica NY. I have no plans of beating my previous Boilermaker time, or keep up with other people, or to be competitive in any way. Its a new day of running for me, out with the old, in with the Zen. Plus, I'm saving a fortune on socks.

OK now I get it

On a warm and sunny Sunday, I went for 1.25 miles, I was feeling great, like I could keep going, but I stayed strict to the plan of slowly increasing mileage. I found keeping my stride shorter is getting easier. I just have to continue focus on lifting my foot up once it touches the ground. Running purely on the street is much better than the sidewalks. Sometimes smooth rock, sometimes crooked brick, and sometimes cement loaded with stones. (Somebody hates barefoot runners) Speaking of h8erz, I'm getting some attention. A kid told me, "Old head (Philly slang for an older person) your feet is dirty as shit!" I told him nice language, and his Dad (probably) yelled out, "Whatchusay!?!?" I looked back, yep, he was talking to me. No time to talk, Old Head has miles to run.

Dirt McGirt

That's one mile of grade-A Germantown road grime on my feet. The weather is clear and rather pleasant, so my feet were not hampered by cold and water. Its a challenge for me to gooooo slooooow and really work on my form. Not pushing off, keep feet under center of gravity, increased cadence... its natural way to run but your mind wanders, you go too fast, your feet start to hurt..

I'm feeling great, except for the soles of my feet. Maybe my form is off and is causing pain, or maybe I'm still toughening them up. I found myself landing on my heel occasionally. I need to correct that.

Day 9

41 degrees and rain. I am currently staying true to barefoot runs. The skin on my sole is not feeling great, but I am trying to relax while I run, which helps. From what I've read, before transitioning to VFF or other minimalist shoe, you gotta learn correct form. This is can only be done barefoot, where the soles of the bare foot provide feedback to correct your form.

Why kick the shoes off?
From the book, Born to Run by Christopher McDougal,

"Dr Steven Robbins and Dr Edward Waked of McGill University, Montreal, performed a series of lengthy tests on gymnasts. They found that the thicker the landing mat, the harder the gymnasts landed. Instinctively, the gymnasts were searching for stability. When they sensed a soft surface underfoot, they slapped down hard to ensure balance. Runners do the same thing. When you run in cushioned shoes, your feet are pushing through the soles in search of a hard, stable platform."

Read more

Hurry up and heal

Annoyed at minor muscle pulls that are keeping me from running. Luckily its an off day. I've been barefoot pretty much 24/7 the last week. I just want to get out and run!

Off the track for good

I hit the streets for my run today after taking the weekend off due to a recurring hamstring annoyance. I ran 1/4 mile with ease, stopped to avoid the dreaded TMTS injuries. (too much, too soon.) The pavement was pretty cold, I wonder if that would be limiting when going for distance. My feet are usually cold from October to April. Perhaps building strength in my feet will increase vascularization and warm up my toes. (Note, those are not my feet.)

leatherizing the feet

I am going barefoot as much as possible to get tough. Eve, the twins and I went to Valley Green for a walk, I went shoeless Joe Jackson. Mostly gravel and small stones covered the path, with the occasional partially decomposed sticks (very soft) and horse poop ( very soft.) Do they sell feet sanitizer? The water running down the Wissahickon schist cliffs over the trail to the creek was quite cold, and made everything painful. One step at a time.

Why barefoot?

Evolution > Nike.

Walking on broken glass- day 3

I woke up to rain today, and went down to the Penn Charter track. I attempted to bump up my distance to 1/4 mile today, no go. I got to 200 meters, and continued the lap walking. I never realized how angular and "rocky" the surface of a track can be. I really must have some sensitive feet. I'm tempted to just throw on my Vibram Five Fingers, and start getting a work out. I'm going to just stop wearing shoes as much as I can to toughen up the skin. I'll just blend in Germantown as the tall, goofy, white, barefoot dude with twins. If I want to run the Boilermaker, I need to put some miles in.

Day 2

Feet are feeling good today. They were a bit tingly yesterday, but no real pain or anything. Taking a day off to be sure everything is gravy. Here is a New York Magazine article that got me started. For my birthday, Eve got me a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. I'd wear them when playing disc golf, or for walks in the woods. I'm not sure if I'll run the Boilermaker completely barefoot, or with the Vibrams.

Day 1

I got up early, and went down to the Germantown Friends track so I could easily monitor my distances the first several weeks. I understand injuries happen because people do too much, too soon. Not only do I need to get my cardiovascular system in shape, but also my legs, AND my newly found feet. My plan was to start with a quarter mile. Perfect cool morning- 32 degrees. I slipped my shoes and socks off at the edge of the track, and started off. Wow. This track is sharp, I thought. For some reason I thought the track at GFS would be a soft rubbery pillow. My goal would be to take it easy, and stop at a 1/4 mile. I had to stop at a 1/8 because of my irritated feet. Is it because the track is too concrete-like? Being cooped up in socks and shoes (even the barefoot shoes I wear ) the feet aren't used to sensations like this, and the skin is thin. We'll see how quickly the body adapts.