- 1 mile pure barefoot around Research Park
Today I am starting a new plan. Well, I'm starting over is what it is. Back to basics, from the ground up, however you want to call it. I'm doing this barefoot thing full throttle. I'm kinda at my whits end. Believe you me, I was perfectly happy running my 40-50 miles a week in shoes. I didn't care how I did it or what I wore, I just wanted to run! Since November, I've had one injury after another. Something isn't jiving with my feet-to-shoe relationship. Last fall I made what I thought were minor changes (stopped wearing inserts, slightly changed some shoes around and then started wearing custom orthodics). That's when the problems began. I started using the orthodics in March after my achilles injury and they have made things 10 times worse. I feel like I'm falling off the sides of my shoes and the outer sides wear out really fast. All things "stabilization" on my feet - be it tendons, muscles, whatever - have been injured on both feet at one time or another since November. I've tried going back to what I did before the fall, but that's not working either. I'm always dealing with something on the lateral sides of my feet/ankles/legs. And I continue to land more and more funny in shoes/orthodics. So...this obviously isn't working and as I'm sure you can all understand, it is just too heartbreaking! Run a few miles, get injured, take a week off...I can't do it anymore! I just want to be able to run!
I'm not saying shoes or orthodics are bad, they just aren't working for me. And I know this isn't just a matter of running too much. And I know my body/feet can run and this isn't something I just have to accept! Just gotta get my feet and legs strong and in good form again.
I started this plan of only running barefoot a few weeks ago and loved it (to my surprise to be honest). It definitely jives with my feet! I love it. Instead of coming home from a run dealing with aches and sharp pains, I come home and my feet feel stronger and more flexible and in control. I had started running in my Vibram Fivefingers, but I soon found that I don't like the individual toes...it puts way too much pressure where my toes bend. So I ordered a new pair of barefoot shoes that have an encased toe box and people say your feet can still "splay" out like they need to. Anyway, they are the Vivobarefoot Evos. I know, pricey, don't judge. (I did get mine for $40 cheaper, but I had to go with the yellow vs. light blue...I'm still upset about that). Heck, I'm not racing anyway, so I've got all kinds of extra slush fund money kicking around! Don't be dismayed, I will still be using my Vibrams as water shoes at the lake. They are still pretty darn comfortable and useful, that's for sure.
I want to do this the right way and I want to be able to eventually run like I used to, so I figured I've got to just clear the slate and start over with 100% commitment. I'm convinced that most new barefoot runners get injured because they do too much too soon. (here's just one of many good articles on what most people ignore when running barefoot) Referring to said article, my biggest focus will be on getting my heel chords adjusted. Here's my plan:
- 1 mile of pure barefoot running each day or every other day
- add a few minutes to each run each week as my feet will allow (hence the pure barefoot running with no shoes, not even minimal shoes, so I can get full feedback from my feet telling me when I've done too much)
- after I can run 45 minutes continuously with just my barefeet, start wearing Evo's or other minimalist shoes (anything that allows the bio feedback)
- work up to half marathon and then eventually marathon training plans! Yay!
I'm thinking this will take at least 6-9 months. So in the meantime, I really really need something to WEAR ME OUT so that I don't try to do too much too soon...it's really hard to hold back, especially if I'm feeling good and no injuries are present. James has been asking me what I want for a graduation present and I think I have decided. I want a 6-9 month membership to here to keep me distracted and active! I have been looking at this for a couple months now. I have several friends in various parts of Utah doing this right now and all I hear are good things. It sounds like the perfect place to go and be pushed by someone and maybe have a little healthy competition. :) I can run 50 miles a week without even trying, yet I can't go push myself (consistently) at the gym. Ugh. Pull my eyes out. So I think this might help in the transition. I'll post my amazing new *skills* on the blog each day like normal and of course my daily barefoot transition efforts.
We're really doin it Harry!!!! Don't forget about me!! Just know I am still fully planning on taking you all to the curb one day!!! :) | 