After walking home from Savor barefoot last weekend, I’ve been wanting to try a little bit of barefoot running. I have pretty tough feet, as I don’t wear shoes in the house and usually not in the yard. I also grew up spending a lot of time in the summer running around barefoot on my grandparents’ farm. So, I wasn’t overly stressed about what I might step on. I was, however, worried about the fact that I’m surrounded mostly by blacktop. I tend to run in the late morning or early afternoon, so I’m afraid of burning the heck out of the bottom of my feet.
Since it was 93 degrees yesterday and something like 5000% humidity, I decided that my treadmill was a better place for my virgin barefoot run. I hopped on the treadmill at a 12 minute pace, just to see how it felt. I seemed to land too much on my heels at that pace, so I slowly picked it up to a 9 minute pace and found that as I got faster (and more near my comfortably easy pace), I was happier with how my feet hit. I did one mile in 10:35 and was feeling pretty good, but could definitely tell I was using my muscles differently. I decided to stop and put on my shoes because I didn’t want to hurt myself the first time I tried it.
I hopped back on the treadmill with shoes on and it was the weirdest sensation EVER. I felt like I was running on a firm pillow and that there wasn’t enough room in the toes of my shoes. Very strange. I managed to do another 2.5 miles before I ran out of time.
Verdict: I like barefoot running and will definitely be doing it again. Next time, though, I will either do my shod miles first or separate shoe and barefoot running by days instead of doing them both in the same run. If you run barefoot, how do you handle super hot streets in the summer? Or do you just avoid them?
Wow, good for you! This is something I am definitely intrigued about but not brave enough to try … except on the beach!
i am scared to try but i do have some nike frees that i probably should try out, i wear them to walk in and that is it
Isn't it the craziest feeling ever?! I am glad you tried it!
Neat! I always wonder about the black top too – I really don't know if I could do it.
Cool that you tried it! One guy I see running around here wears very thin sandals… While I walk around barefoot nearly everywhere I can and did so growing up not sure I want to go completely without shoes for running.
Cool! I tried it awhile back on the mill too but ended up ripping up a foot. I'll be interested to hear what barefoot runners say about hot pavement!
I love barefoot running! I have been lucky enough to have started doing it with miles of beach at my disposal (San Diego). I also go on the grass in the park(s) around my house. Never done it on the pavement. That's way too badass for me…
I try and avoid the hot blacktop. It will give you wicked blisters. That is when a minimal shoe would be handy, like the five fingers. (no pun intended of course :)Good for you for trying it. It is different on the treadmill since it gives a bit of bounce but again a nice alternative to hot roads. Its nice in the evenings when the roads are still warm but not hot anymore.
Nice experiment! I switched to running shoes that are flatter than my old ones, and just doing that I felt such a difference in my stride.
I am always fascinated by barefoot running but I hate being in barefeet even in the house.Cool thing to try!
You are a brave woman. I think I will keep my shoes.And all I could think of reading this was you running through your grandparents farm stepping on cow poop. Oh that, and the dirty streets of DC!
I am excited to hear more about your experiments with barefoot running! I only know people who are all-or-nothing. I'm super curious how they interplay with each other and if you notice a difference in your strength and/or injury after incorporating some non-shoe running. Thanks for sharing and keep it coming!
I typically get my barefoot runs in at the edge of dawn. I can do them in the dark in my neighborhood, but I do prefer some light.
I tried barefoot once…also on the treadmill. It was very strange for me…I felt like I was really pounding on my feet. I do know people who love it. Maybe try those Five fingers?? I looked into them, but for me they were too much $ for something to just try out.
Interesting. I have such a conflict about trying it out because I simply hate to be barefoot.
Yeah, for trying something new!I've been barefoot running the stretch of road in front of my house with the kids after my miles are in. I'm still not brave enough to attempt pushing the jogger barefoot but I'm hoping I'll get there!
Brent tried out the vibrams last fall. He said he really enjoyed the running, but his calves were in a world of pain after 5 miles. From your (smarter) experience and his, sounds like it's definitely the kind of thing a person needs to build up slowly!
Way cool!!!
I love being barefoot and will certainly try this out some day – I read the book Born To Run while preggo and training & have wanted to try barefoot (or minimal support) ever since.
Good for you! BF running is not for me, but I like to read about others who give it a go!
wow–good for you! i've never tried barefoot running on the streets, just the beach. i hope you continue to like it!
With 5000% humidity, good thing you picked the treadmill for your experiment :). Good luck with the barefooting!!
When I raced in the 100 on 100 last summer there was a barefoot running team. They had to stop periodically and soak their feet in cold water because of the hot pavement. By the end they seemed to be really hurting. But the heat was extreme and they had a team of 3 instead of 6.
Oh man, I'm too scared to try barefoot running, I'm too afraid that my big damn bunion will get in the way! Glad you liked it, I've heard a lot of good things from people about barefoot running.I went to Missouri last weekend for a wedding and it was 5000% humidity too. Eek.
with my history of injury, I'm way too scared to try, but would love too! maybe one day! Keep us posted on this though, very interested in hearing more!
Nice job with the experiment – you are more brave than me! Of course, my gravel roads might be a little tough on the barefeet.
I read Hal Higdon likes barefoot running in a grassy field. To me that makes sense. That's what I did as a kid. Think I could do a few minutes of that without much trouble. Not sure about the pavement. Or a treadmill. Or that I want to try…But on the beach. Sure. I think for me it's all about what seems natural. I did that as a kid too. Cool that you tried this though!
You are a brave woman! I am so glad that you tried barefoot running! I used to run around barefoot all the time when I was a little girl. I am so scared of hurting myself but secretly would love to give it a try:)
You're smart to take it slow. I use my Vibrams when going on asphalt, otherwise there are some soccer fields around me that I can go completely barefoot in. How are your calves/achilles today?