If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
My entry into the world of minimalist running was everything but pleasant.
I decided that, after a lot of research, I would take up minimalist running for one 5 kilometer race. This seemed to be a brilliant idea. I would not only add another minimalist action to my already minimalist lifestyle, but I would also get a chance to test my body in a way I never thought to.
I began this task by running my normal, daily 10 kilometer route and finishing at a nearby high school track with 1 mile barefoot. The track was not to rough and not as hot as the pavement was in the Phoenix, Arizona summer. The training wasn’t that hard as I managed to keep a steady pace. This training went on for about a month and I felt fairly well going into the race.
The morning of the race, I hurried to the location and quickly realized that not only was the ground to be run not pavement, but it was concrete. I am not sure if many of you know the difference, but concrete is much rougher, coarse, and, for some odd reason, keeps more gravel and dirt. One young lady at the start asked me where my shoes were and I acted like I was some professional barefoot runner in response. I quickly bit my tongue after the horn sounded. I ended up crossing the finish line in just over 23 minutes. I also crossed the finish line with bloody and blistered feet.
I demolished my feet that race. However, I did learn a lot. I learned that pain can’t stop me, that my stupidity level reached a new high, and that without taking on new challenges in life, I will never know my capabilities. That is why I would like you to entertain the notion of minimalist running.
I am not a minimalist runner. However, I will look to train as such here and there in the future. The health and physiological benefits are amazing. Currently, my Wave Rider’s are my baby’s. But I have Vibram Five Fingers and my next pair will definitely be used for more running. The Vibram’s are a great minimalist shoe that you can read more about in a great piece by Tim Ferriss entitled The Bare Foot Alternative.
All I ask is that you do some research and possibly give it a shot.
Here is some further minimalist running information:
Minimalist Runner Google Group
David Damron
The Minimalist Path
Share
Thanks for sharing your experience. I applaud your effort to give barefoot running a try. As you learned, though, it can take some time to transition from running in “Full” shoes to Minimal shoes or no shoes at all. More like a month before you run a mile or more. Your skin, muscles, and even tendons need time to gradually get stronger and used to being used again.
I published a 12 Step Program to Run Barefoot to help folks transition into barefoot or minimal running (http://bit.ly/eGgHm). I just hated seeing so many people get injured. “Fortunately” for me, I began my barefoot running experiment after having back surgery. I say fortunately because I had no other option but to take it slowly. I’m happy to say that I am now running up to 6 miles of trails at a time (still some residual nerve issues) without much back pain!
Give it another try. Just take it very slowly.
All the best!
Clynton
Clynton Taylor´s last blog ..You Won’t Run Barefoot
Hey Clynton—
Awesome site and great 12 step program. Very thorough. That is some great content. I will pass along to my readers.
Thanks for the insightful comment
Dave
TMP
Kudos on the Wave Riders! My all-time favorite running shoes that have gotten me through anything from 1600s to marathons.
Hey Seth–
I wish I would have found my wave riders years ago. I was always stubborn and wouldn't let someone pick my shoes. Once I let them, they found me these beauties.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the WR
David
TMP