Treadmills

My last couple of runs have been inside due to heat and humidty.  I don't normally run on treadmills - I avoid them at all costs, actually - but in this case it's been handy.  Convenient air conditioning = awesome!  Consistent and very comfortable running surface = spectacular!  Monotony of a 40+ minute run, looking at the exact same thing the whole time = shoooooooooooooot meeeeeeee.

I seriously have running ADD.  I get bored so easily.  That's why I love running barefoot outside.  You have to pay attention.  Plus, every step is like a little anatomy lesson.  It's fascinating.  Also, I like actually going somewhere.  It's a feeling of accomplishment.  It's very difficult to get that on a treadmill.  Now I know why people call them dreadmills.  Holy cow.

The fun part, though, is having people in the little gym with me and not saying a word.  It's pretty amusing wondering what they're thinking about the crazy girl on the treadmill with no shoes.  Here's a video:

Barefoot Running:  The Sanitation Debate

This hasn't affected me yet, but I keep waiting for someone to say "Hey!  You can't run barefoot on the treadmills!"  And when asked why, they'd reply with something to do with it being unsanitary.  I'm sure it'll probably happen before my stay here is over.  And it's something I completely DO NOT understand.

I've heard stories about barefoot runners being disallowed from treadmill and indoor track running because it was "unhygienic."  It makes NO sense, folks.  I wash my feet between one and three times a day, depending when I run and how dirty they are.  When was the last time you washed your running shoes?  I can 100% guarantee that a barefoot runner's feet are infinitely cleaner than the bottoms of people's running shoes, and will be washed regularly, especially after exposure to a running surface.  The hygiene argument against barefoot running is completely idiotic. 

Interested in Barefoot/Minimalist running? Watch this. :)

GREAT informative video by Michael Sandler of RunBARE.com.  Worth watching, and full of important tips for the new barefoot and minimalist runners!!  :)

The Disbelievers

It's always amusing and frustrating to speak with shod runners who know nothing about barefoot running.  Some of you guys and girls are genuinely interested, while others are perfectly incapable of hiding your disgust.

Work on that, seriously.  It's obnoxious.

I was having dinner with some other folks awhile ago, and we got on the topic of how I got into barefoot running (we're all runners to some extent).  I went through my story, and everyone seemed to be listening.  But even then, I could tell that there is an inherent disgust for what I do.  And it kills a little part of me.  How do I know?  Because barefoot running used to disgust me too.  People just cannot hide their feelings for the idea of running around with no shoes.  It's a look of disgust, disbelief, and maybe even a little bit of "Ok, you're nuts, I'm not going to listen to you anymore."

It's disappointing.  It's fine if you don't like barefoot running, but honestly, don't knock it until you've tried it.  I'm glad I did, because it changed my running career.  I just don't understand why people feel the need to be so judgmental about what we do and do not wear on our feet.  I was guilty of this, but I changed my tune after I stepped out and had the guts to give it a shot.

The typical questions came up too, such as the old "What about stepping on glass!?"  ...What about glass?  Seriously!  Shod runners:  do you want to know the true secret about running barefoot and avoiding the danger of glass?  It's wisdom painstakingly passed on from barefoot runner to barefoot runner, and is reserved for only those who prove themselves truly worthy of this knowledge.  Here we go:

JUST DON'T STEP ON CRAP YOU DON'T WANT TO STEP ON.  Period.  This is not difficult.  Amazing, I know.

Nevermind the fact that I've seen glass only THREE times now in my year of barefoot running.  Three.  Does that sound like the imminent danger that every single shod runner seems so deathly concerned about?  No.  And even then, you use the highly engineered visual acquisition and guidance system you were born with (your eyes) to see it and step around it.  Glass is the first thing non-barefoot runners always bring up, and it's such a non-issue that I have to outright laugh at them sometimes.

It really seems that some shod runners must be totally out of touch with their surroundings when they run.  Is that the case?  Do you guys totally tune out when you go out for a jog?  Because it's seriously like magic for me to mention to some people that you can simply step around an object.  That you don't have to run through something uncomfortable like pebbles, glass, etc.  Wow.  It's amazing to me how out of touch some people seem.  They must get out there and roll through whatever with the nearly inch of rubber/foam/gel between their feet and the ground.  That's cool.  Enjoy your run.

Then there was the mention of stepping on hypodermic needles.  It's always been a joke for barefoot runners to mention, but someone actually seriously asked me about stepping on needles....all I have to ask is: WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE RUNNING!?  No, I don't make a habit of running in the slums, though apparently some runners do.


What else...I guess that's it.  I had a nice morning run along the beach.  The concrete sidewalk was perfect, and the scenery was new and interesting.  The sand's sort of a jerk when there's a lot of it to run through on the sidewalk, but for the most part the run was great.  The only issue was trying to breathe and relax in high humidity.  YUCK.  Guess I'll get used to it.

Sunday's Run

Seven mile barefoot run on concrete at 6am.  Not a scratch on my feet.  Had a running buddy.  Had fun!  Not every run is perfect, but most are pretty close!!  ;-)

Barefoot Running Style Lessons

"The human foot is a work of art and masterpiece of human engineering." - Leonardo DaVinci

This video was put out by Dr. Mark Cucuzzella of Two Rivers Treads Center for Natural Running and Walking (http://trtreads.org).  He is a family practitioner as well as a USAF Reserves Lt Col, and serves as the USAF Marathon team coach.  His center and website are wonderful sources of information for natural running, whether barefoot or in minimalist footwear.  Check out that website and see all the amazing info he's got to offer.

This beautiful video is a great example of the peace that can be found out running when it stops being a chore.  It's a lovely thing to watch, and has many words of wisdom.

Key points from the video:
Running is not a battle between you and your body.
And it's not about running barefoot...it's about barefoot running style.  (ie. running naturally, even in footwear)
The harder the surface, and the less between your feet and the ground, the softer the landing.
Get strong in the right places.
Get loose in the right places.
Be in balance.
Progress slowly.
Your feet are the messengers...listen to them.
Do not overstride.
Relax and breathe.
Run and have fun.

Not every run is perfect

Yesterday's run was proof that on some days, you just don't have it.

I went out for an easy 30 minute run Friday afternoon (had to rush back to see the Bruins win the Stanley Cup!!), thinking that it was going to very straightforward.  Unfortunately, waiting until the late afternoon on hot days to run barefoot can really hurt.  Literally.  I didn't realize how hot the concrete would be.  Holy cow!

Normally the high turnover rate (faster running cadence) means that hot surfaces aren't really a problem.  My feet aren't on the ground long enough to really cause any damage when the concrete is warm.  But not today.  Wow...right off the bat I had serious doubts about whether or not I'd be able to even do five minutes on the running trail, it was so hot.  But soon after, I settled down and felt well enough to carry on.  I wouldn't get too far though before I changed my tune. 

I only completed about 20 minutes of my run barefoot before I had to put my Vibram Sprints on and finish.  Why?  Because the heat was beginning to cause "hot spots" (aka the beginning of blisters) on both my feet, making the run rather uncomfortable.  This was a great example of why carrying some sort of footwear (heck, maybe even socks!) on runs is important.  You just never know.  I run with a waist pack that fits a water bottle or a pair of Vibrams nicely, plus some other pockets for my keys, cell, band aids (very useful sometimes), and whatever else I need.  Comes in handy when I'm a few miles away from my car.

Also, running in the Sprints (my favorite type of Vibram FiveFingers) again was a nice reminder.  I don't like running in any shoes now, but it's necessary to on occasion.  It's amazing how muffled the ground feel is, even in something as minimalist as the Sprints - and they are extremely minimalist!  The feedback you get from your skin is so incredible, and is the perfect teacher.  I found myself focusing on form, speed, and landing softly so intensely in the Vibrams, while barefoot I don't need to.  It's a significant difference between barefoot and "barefoot shoes."  They are not the same.

The Sound of Silence

Thud.  Thud.  Thud.  Thud...

Oh, here they come.

THUD.  THUD.  THUD.  THUD.

Yep, right behind me...

THUD!  GASP.  THUD!  GASP.

Enjoy your run, folks.  

Yep, I hear that script a lot when I'm out running.  It never ceases to amaze me how loud some people are when they're out for a jog.  I was running at the gym once, on the indoor track, and was perfectly shocked when I heard some man approaching me, slowly gaining on me, and I first noted he was behind me when he was about 30-40 off.  I heard this guy running 40 feet BEHIND me.  That's not natural.  It happened again today when I was outside on the concrete running trail, only not quite as extreme.  This guy I probably heard only 15-20 feet behind me.  But still!  And this guy didn't have terrible form - he seemed to be landing midfoot in his Addidas running shoes rather than slamming his heel.  But it's quite incredible how hard people run, and how much work that really is.

Barefooters typically run silent.  I sneak up on animals all the time because they don't hear my coming until I'm right up on them.  The only thing I hear when I'm out there is the sound of my breathing and my car keys rattling in my pocket.  It's extremely relaxing.

The point of all this?  If people learned to run lighter, I think they'd also learn to run happier.  They'd spend less energy.  They'd suffer fewer injuries and less fatigue.  Running would probably be more enjoyable.  That's why I stick with barefoot running.  Yes, it's interesting and keeps my mind occupied, but it also keeps me running sounder (healthier).  I think if people weren't terrified to take off their shoes every now and then and at least try some barefoot training, they'd see the benefits too.