Groups/

Barefoot Runners

Ben

Brand Spanking New

posted almost 2 years ago | Report

Hi all. I'm one of those guys that read Born To Run and decided to start running.

I've never run before for fun or exercise, but I'm liking it quite a bit. I walked around barefoot for about a month to get my feet in shape, and just started running this week.

I started with a .5 mile stop/start type of thing, mostly on grass. After 4 runs, I'm doing 1.5 miles on a paved trail. My calves hurt down to my achilles tendons, equally on both legs, but otherwise I feel pretty great.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on how I should progress. Keep in mind that I know absolutely nothing about running, barefoot or otherwise, save the book and a short vid I watched on chi running. I am a lumpy, roundish piece of clay, ready for molding.

So, that's my little introduction. Happy to be here. What works for you? What doesn't?

Respond

Your Response:

Notify me via email when someone responds

or cancel

• 

  William T.

  Hi Ben and welcome to barefoot running. From what I've learned so far the best advice is going to come from your body. Take it slow and easy. Taking an extra rest day when you feel sore can make a huge difference. Above all, enjoy it and your new connection to running.

  posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • respond
  • respond to William
  Your Response:

  Notify me via email when someone responds

  or cancel
• 

  Carrie A.

  I belive the calft thing is pretty normal when yuo have lived in shoes your whole life.

  I've been barefoot (I wear water socks outdoors) running for 2 months now (but have run otherwise for more than 10yrs).

  I agree, follow your bodies' lead in this. Focus on form and feeling great, not so much on miles right now.

  posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • respond
  • respond to Carrie
  Your Response:

  Notify me via email when someone responds

  or cancel
• 

  Lorena G.

  Ben, i found that using the VFFs makes me go too far up on the ball of the foot (because i cant feel the friction), causing overuse of the calves (they ache quite quickly this way and dont when i go barefoot).
  I believe that when you run on grass, you might be going too far up on the ball of your foot aswell. Try landing much more midfoot. When you run barefoot on pavement or something hard, you will be able to tell the difference. Try it on pavement: land more midfoot (without slamming into the ground), keeping your knees slightly bent will ensure that you do so (exaggerate at first, so it feels like your tryin to be short, haha, but then pull back till you reach a comfortable zone that keeps you landing less on the ball of your foot).

  So barefoot makes me maintain good form the best!
  I used to think that i had to put up with aching calves till my muscles got stronger, but turns out that it is completely unnecessary and putting unecessary strain on tendons.

  If your still not clear, the best thing to do is head to Therunningbarefoot.com where Barefoot Ken Bob posts excellent beginners instructions, its the best info out there.

  posted over 1 year ago | Report

  • respond
  • respond to Lorena
  Your Response:

  Notify me via email when someone responds

  or cancel