About this blog: This blog is all about my experiences as I embark on converting to barefoot running – I will investigate the market, sort facts from fiction (hopefully) test the footwear and attempt to run the Bath Half Marathon in March wearing my barefoot shoe of choice.………………………………………………

Run three: November 17th 2010

Shoes: Terra Plana, Vivo Barefoot Evo II

Distance and terrain: 3 miles road

Today I am feeling quite excited and really want to get out and run a little bit further, so it’s a three mile road run (due to it being dark) with a couple of short but steep hills. This should be a bit more of a test.

Downhill to start and I am feeling fine, I still get that odd feeling at around ½ mile but now know to ignore it. Just past the mile mark and the hill is looming ahead – I would say it is about 200 metres and it’s pretty steep. As it happens it does not feel any different to running in my usual shoes and I remember to stay upright, relax and trot – no problem.

Another mile of undulating quiet back roads and then it’s pretty much flat all the way back.

I feel light, fast and lithe (even though I am not in reality any of those things), I feel like a runner again.

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Run two: November 15th 2010

Shoes: Terra Plana, Vivo Barefoot Evo II

Distance and terrain: 2 miles road and canal towpath

I took the day after my first run as a rest, but I actually felt fine. Legs are ok, feet are ok. Second run takes place at 7am, it is still dark and very very cold. Full length Zoca leggings, Smartwool thermal baselayer, Gore jacket, stripy hat as worn by my son as a toddler (couldn’t find my beloved Mizuno thermal pip in the dark). I am curious as to whether my feet will be cold. Last night I cut the back of my left shoe with gardening secateurs (scissors would not do it) so lets see if that helps with the chaffing.

On the road to start with as it’s a bit too dark to go on the lonely canal towpath. It’s also slightly downhill, which is welcome at this hour. All goes fine until about ½ mile then I get that weird feeling that I had last time, like I am frail and ill – perhaps this is the transition stage where I move to barefoot running style. I can also feel my left achilles a bit and have a sharp pain at the front of my right ankle.

By the mile mark and turn point I feel ok, I turn onto the canal and quite enjoy the sensation of the rougher terrain.

At this point I realise my feet are not cold, even though it is probably about 0 or even -1 degrees. Also the small cut in my heel seems to be working a treat – no chaffing.

All goes well. Back home, feeling pretty good for dragging myself out of bed and am itching to go for longer – its seems a bit daft getting all kitted up for 20 minutes running.

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Run one: November 13th 2010

Shoes: Terra Plana, Vivo Barefoot Evo II

Distance and terrain: 2 miles, canal towpath

I walk up to the towpath from my house by way of a warm-up, also it is quite a steep road, so is a sensible start. The towpath at this point in town is well used by cyclists and walkers, so the path is well trodden, firm but uneven and full of puddles on this damp morning.

As I set off at a very gentle trot, all feels amazingly fine. Suprisingly it does not feel weird to be able to feel the ground beneath me – it actually feels quite nice. I can feel the little stones and rocks, but it’s quite pleasant, it feels like my feet are getting a mini massage. A good start.

Then, as I warm into the first half mile or so, I suddenly get this feeling that I am running like a frail, ill person would. It’s hard to explain, but I feel awkward, tentative and uncomfortable. I don’t feel like a runner.

Now this I do not like, but its very early days so I banish these negative thoughts from my mind and mull over how my feet feel. I can feel the rocky path mainly beneath my right foot – does this mean my right foot is especially sensitive or are the rocky bits just on this side of the path?

I reach the point that I had intended to turn around – approx ¾ of a mile, but am feeling fine so decide to go on to the mile marker. Is this a school girl error? The mistake everyone has done – that of getting over confident, doing too much and regretting it?

I reach the mile marker still feeling fine, turn round, walk a couple of steps and then resume my slow steady jog. I concentrate on relaxing, since I am going so slow I am pretty upright, I try to feel loose and light. I am quite enjoying this. I catch a sight of my shadow and I look like I have a good stance – mmm good this is OK. Then it comes to me, this feels like being on a beach when the tide has gone out and the sand is firm but pebbly, usually I would be barefoot or in neoprene booties – so yes it is exactly how it feels.

Oh no – my first niggling irritation. I am rudely brought back from the beach to the towpath by a sharp pain on the outside of my left achilles. I realise that my low-cut sock has wriggled down inside my shoe and it is rubbing a bit. Stop, pull it up and carry on. Almost back now, all feels fine – the slow jog is not physically taxing and I am feeling optimistic.

2 miles done, I decide to jog back down the hill to my house on the tarmac (1/4mile). Everything seems ok.

Lesson one: Wear proper ankle socks to prevent chaffing.

Observations: I might need to put a vertical cut in the back of the left shoe to prevent Achilles rub. I have to do this with most shoes, it is the fault of my feet not the shoe.

Below: My Vivo Barefoot Evo II’s after their first outing.

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Resources:

chrismcdougall.com ^[1]

www.terraplana.com ^[2]

About this blog

What is barefoot running? Barefoot running is not actually barefoot in most cases, but a new style of minimal shoe and a more natural way of running.

Why barefoot running? Many people believe that the technological advances in running shoes over the last 20-30 years are unnecessary and could be responsible for many injuries. Barefoot devotees say simpler footwear allows the foot to build up it’s own strength and protects against injury better than any shoe can.

Who am I? I am a 45 year old woman, mother of two, twice a week runner and co-founder of Sportsister. I was in my younger days a pretty decent canoeist and sportswoman, now I am pretty average middle aged woman.

Where did it all begin? For me it all began with, the now cult book, Born To Run by Christopher McDougall published in 2009. Chris embarks on research into his own running related injuries and refusing to believe he will not ever be able to run again goes in search of the Tarahumara Tribe in South America to see how they can run hundreds of miles a week barefoot well into old age and yet we cannot.

I love this book, I love the slightly anti-establishment element that challenges and questions, I love the renegade characters featured in the ultra marathon world and I love the fact that Chris has founded a whole movement. Plus now he can run and even attempt ultra marathons.

What do I hope to achieve? I am hoping this adventure will re-invigorate my interest in running, help me stay injury free and lead to me running more! Ultimately I would like to find the time to train for a marathon and I even fantasise about going further – maybe 30-40-50 miles. Towards the end of my time as a canoeist I found myself persuaded to enter a 125 canoe race (non stop) I could not believe it was possible, but it is and I went on to complete it two more times. I would like to see if I can run a long way too…