AM : Weather - 46 degrees, sunny.
Pleasant and cool morning, ran 4 easy miles through the park and Busey Woods. My Legs are starting to recover from 2 hard weeks of training. Quads still a bit sore, but getting better every day. They should be 95-100% by race day this Saturday. Late AM : Weather - 52 degrees, sunny. Stopped at work after my initial run earlier today and put in a couple of hours. The reason I did this is so that I can come in later in the mornings this week if I decide to do a 5 or 6 miler beforehand. After work I ran 6 miles through the park, around Busey Woods and the cemetery. Inspired by Lybi, I decided to try barefoot running. I also recently read an article about Newton running shoes (http://www.newtonrunning.com/) The company states :
"When you run barefoot you naturally land on your forefoot. Newton
Running shoes were developed to make your feet think they're barefoot
and increase your performance.
The sole of Newton mimics your own, allowing your foot to move freely and promote a forefoot impact." I thought about this and decided I could not know the truth of their statement because I had never run barefoot before. When I arrived at the cemetery I removed my shoes and socks, and ran gently in a large plot of open grass. I twice ran 200M, then 200M back. I decided I was not landing on my forefoot, but rather on my midfoot, with a slight heel strike. I loved how running barefoot felt, my feet and legs had less stress, and I could not discern any quad soreness, but when I have my shoes on the soreness is evident. I put my shoes back on and ran into Busey Woods. I was inspired to again remove my shoes and socks, and to run a mile loop barefoot. The dirt trail felt wonderful on my feet, and my running motion felt more efficient. By the end of the mile I could feel the skin on my forefoot begin to burn, so it will take some practice to get the skin used to the friction. The best place to run would be the golf course fairway, so I will need to get there early in the morning before the golfers get started. I would like to incorporate barefoot running as part of my training, if anything just for the joyful feel of it. #163 z.m. - #77 | 