Back after a long time of no writing – mainly because my
new work has absorbed my time, so Mars-June was almost
no running. But a lot has happened since June. After 25
years of “on and off” active running I’m finally starting to learn
how to run correctly.
Yes, I consider myself from now on as a barefoot runner (no shoes at
all !). It all started when I bought myself a pair of five fingers in July. I
started off with my new five fingers and it was really nice, it felt almost like
running barefoot. I was very aware of that I needed to introduce the five
fingers gradually as they require a new way of running (on the forefoot) and is
especially tough on the calf muscles and achilles tendon. The first weeks I
years of “on and off” active running I’m finally starting to learn
how to run correctly.
Yes, I consider myself from now on as a barefoot runner (no shoes at
all !). It all started when I bought myself a pair of five fingers in July. I
started off with my new five fingers and it was really nice, it felt almost like
running barefoot. I was very aware of that I needed to introduce the five
fingers gradually as they require a new way of running (on the forefoot) and is
especially tough on the calf muscles and achilles tendon. The first weeks I
only ran 1-2 km’s twice a week. Gradually I extended the length up to 4-5 km’s
and it felt quite ok. Until I one day, my left calf cramped and strained. I had
to rest and rehab train for a week or two until I was ready for running again.
OK, I had to find out what I did wrong - I searched on the
web for five finger running tips and soon found myself absorbed by reading
about pure barefoot running – and I couldn’t get it out of my head so I put my
five fingers aside and started to do some very short barefoot runs (200-800m).
It was a somewhat weird thought in the beginning, (me running barefoot ? )
but it was actually really nice and I soon was convinced that this was
for me. No more heel striking, no more shoes on when running. Running
barefoot makes us learn (relearn) running the way our bodies are designed to,
namely on the forefoot. Our foot soles are very sensitive and useful
instruments when running and makes us place the foot gently on the ground.
and it felt quite ok. Until I one day, my left calf cramped and strained. I had
to rest and rehab train for a week or two until I was ready for running again.
OK, I had to find out what I did wrong - I searched on the
web for five finger running tips and soon found myself absorbed by reading
about pure barefoot running – and I couldn’t get it out of my head so I put my
five fingers aside and started to do some very short barefoot runs (200-800m).
It was a somewhat weird thought in the beginning, (me running barefoot ? )
but it was actually really nice and I soon was convinced that this was
for me. No more heel striking, no more shoes on when running. Running
barefoot makes us learn (relearn) running the way our bodies are designed to,
namely on the forefoot. Our foot soles are very sensitive and useful
instruments when running and makes us place the foot gently on the ground.
In some way the bare foots tells our body how to run.
A positive side effect is that it strengthens and stabilizes the ankles,
knees and hips. Tests have shown that the landing impact on ground
knees and hips. Tests have shown that the landing impact on ground
is less than half compared to “heel strike running”.
It can explain a lot of injuries "heel strike runners" are coping with…
After 3-4 months of careful distance progression and cross training
(bike/strength) I can now run 6K's on gravel at -2C. Actually, running on
asphalt is the easiest as it feels soft when I land on the forefoot. However
running on gravel is the best(=demanding) surface when I want to strengthen
After 3-4 months of careful distance progression and cross training
(bike/strength) I can now run 6K's on gravel at -2C. Actually, running on
asphalt is the easiest as it feels soft when I land on the forefoot. However
running on gravel is the best(=demanding) surface when I want to strengthen
myself and my running technique.
It seems that my new way of running also has finally fixed my hip problem
It seems that my new way of running also has finally fixed my hip problem
once and for all. I will continue my slow and careful progression.
An interesting thing will be to see how low temperatures I will be able to run at.
It takes time toughening the feet to cope with low temperatures
but I have a good help in the mild/late winter weather.
At some stage of low temperature, I will have to put on my five fingers during
my winter runs. I will continue running barefoot, and hopefully I will be
ready for a race or two in 2012.
Well, that’s my short story becoming a barefoot runner.
If anyone reading this would like to try barefoot running, here are some advice:
· Read up about the theme on the web or similar.
· Start very, very ,very easy with low distance progression.
· Be patient, it may take 3-12 months before you are a confident barefoot
runner.
· Enjoy !
What a story. My first thougt was that this. Was more of an extrme experiment. But you have told us that. Its actually possible to run 6km without shoes in November. Please keep us up to date how you manage this through the wintter. I will for sure try myself but not in wintertime.
SvaraRaderaMr L