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.
I can't believe you are doing this! Its pretty amazing. I'm so impressed.
ReplyDeleteI know you have super high arches. Mine are pretty high too, not as much as yours. But when I run the balls of my feet get really inflamed and BURN. It is so painful. I have tried a bunch of different things, and have read a lot about correct running form, etc. Nothing really seems to help. I actually just got back from a run and my feet are completely pins and needles. I thought that barefoot running would help but I couldn't really get my mind around trying it, basically because I'm chicken and the streets of Philadelphia are disgusting. I guess I'm wondering if you have had some brilliant barefoot insight? Do you have foot pain when you run with sneakers? Is barefoot running less stressful on your feet and legs?
Ha! The "streets are disgusting" comment made me laugh...I think I'm with Carrie on this one.
ReplyDeleteSummarizing what I've read, the arch of the foot is a dome, essentially. A super strong architectural/ bio-mechanical feat(feet). With one quarter of all your bodies bones, stretchy rubber band like tendons, and tough muscles. Why would you put support under a dome? The structure can't do its job. With slooow progress and time, the feet strengthen and do what they are designed to do. We've only been wearing thick athletic shoes for the past 40 or so years, and running injuries have INCREASED. Runners world has a barefoot running forum, check it out.
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With time, you can wear minimalist shoes, but you have to start barefoot as the skin on your soles provide necessary feedback so you have the correct form. I started because I seem to be getting injured often with many sports. I read about runners in their 40's and 50's who just don't get injured. (Running with shoes has an injury rate of 80%) Your feet and legs act as springs, although when we wear shoes we heel strike and run, we land harder, and the force is right up to our feet/knees and hips The question is, why do we wear Nikes? There is no good answer. We are shoeless long distance runners by evolutionary design. Check out the book Born to Run, its amazing.
Yes, the streets are disgusting, but luckily we have soap and water, which does the job. Its not like we eat with out feet. Your shoes get just as dirty, and they aren't washed. You feet toughen in time, like soft leather.
Everything you have said makes so much sense. I read Born to Run and was completely inspired to make a go of it, and now the fact that you are actually doing it might be sealing the deal for me. I didn't realize that you have to start with barefoot running, even if you want to go to minimalist shoes at some point. Right now I can barely walk to the mailbox barefoot since the skin on my feet is so sensitive. I guess I have a long ways to go.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I'm so happy!!!! I am in love with running barefoot! I've NEVER woken up, then gone running. Its always been hard, painful work. Now its like.... just running! Kindergarten all over again! My advice- start slooooow! Just be barefoot as much as you can. I've been barefoot since December/January, pretty much. You need to strengthen your feet as well as toughen the skin. Embrace your inner hippie! Its a great conversation piece, too. I get stopped often, usually by kids. You can totally do it. Relax, relax, and enjoy!!!
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