OK, probably not the next Barefoot Angie, but I did run another 1.1 miles barefoot today.
It’s hot and grossly humid here again. I’m not sure how we skipped June, but I’m pretty sure we’ve landed squarely in August. Even our basement is hot because we aren’t getting the normal nightly lows. Have I mentioned I don’t like hot? ;o)
After dropping the boys off at school/camp, I called the exterminator and then headed out for a five mile run. I had JUST enough time to do it before a technician was supposed to stop by. I ran four miles faster than I meant to (9:49, 9:48, 9:58, 9:26) and was feeling really good, despite the heat. As I was approaching the end of my fourth mile, I saw the exterminator pulling up at my house, so I sprinted home. After he left, I knew I wanted to get in one more mile, so I decided to take the opportunity to run without shoes.
I originally planned to run circles in my yard (which is laughably small), but decided there were too many ridges hidden in the grass. Instead, I hit the pavement. Surprisingly, it wasn’t that hot yet, so I ran a half mile each way out and back.
Things I learned:
- I prefer blacktop to sidewalks.
- The middle of the road is the smoothest.
- The little rocks/sand that was in all the snow treatment stuff this winter hurt like a b*tch when you step on them.
- The bumps that our county puts at sidewalk corners to alert blind pedestrians don’t feel good on bare feet.
- You get even more strange looks running barefoot than you do with knee highs.
- If I don’t run at least a 10 minute pace, I hit too hard with my heels.
- My right ankle takes at least a half mile to get used to running without shoes.
- I LOVE the way it uses the muscles in my thighs – totally different than running with shoes.
- My feet were nowhere near as dirty as I expected when I got home.
That's so cool. I loved reading about your first experiments with barefoot running. I'm trying to get up the nerve to run barefoot, too. I thought that the astroturf at the high school track might be a good place for that.
LOL! The knee high comment cracked me up! Good for you though, there's a Md here in RVA who recommends running 5-10 minutes at the end of your run to "correct any form issues"… so there you go. Just another reason to squeeze in 1 more mile.
You are BRAVE! I don't think I could do it. Good for you!!!
Wow – I would be so afraid i would cut up my foot! Great job!
I think I will just stick with my knee highs to garner attention! I'm interested to see where your barefoot adventure goes!
Barefoot ErikaH – rock on!
wowza, good for you! you're a lot braver than me!
You are sooo cool! I'm so impressed! And nice speedy 4 miler – whoo hoo!
Wow, impressive stuff! Nice job on your four miler in the heat! Also, way to go on the barefoot mile:)
Nicely done lady!! Its addictive and adds a joy to running completely unique to the experience. Barefoot ErikaH is right :)Oh and thanks for the bloggie love too ***blush**
I have always wanted to know what the bottom of your foot looked like – thanks for fulfilling a dream.
I am so completely impressed.Way to go!
My feet get dirtier than that just walking around the house! You must have very clean sidewalks!
Good for you! As I was running today, I was checking out the roads to see if I could try it barefoot after reading your last post – definitely too many rocks on that route, but I'll keep looking!
Very cool that you are trying it out. And–it sounds like you are doing it the right way. Keep it up!
We are still in the middle of winter here, I wore my long underwear for the bike ride this morning. I'll switch ya!I think you are so brave to try barefoot running, I haven't even gotten up the courage to mention it with my running group.I to am surprised at how "undirty" your feet are : )
I'm just getting started BF too, though it has taken me longer than you to get up to a mile. I also just got some VFF Bikilas and although I like them it isn't the same feel as being barefoot. After doing my first 3 miles BF then VFF this morning I put my road shoes on and it was such a strange feeling, like running on platform shoes. I definitely prefer things to be more minimal now.
Awesome! I'm finishing up the last of the Barefoot Sisters books on hiking the AT barefoot and it really has me wanting to try it. Great job on running in the heat!
So freaking awesome girl ! Keep it up! I might take mine off today on my 8 miler 🙂
"You get even more strange looks running barefoot than you do with knee highs."hahahahahahahahaha
I've been busy so I'm just finding out about your barefoot experiment. That's awesome, keep it up!PS I'm about 2.5 hrs from Madison. I won't be there in Aug., but will be in the area for a HM in Sept.!
I love your experiment. I would be interested in trying the minimalist shoes. I think my "stability' shoes have been part of my problem.
I would be very nervous about stepping wrong. Nice job and glad you are enjoying it!
Wow! You're definitely hopping on the bandwagon. Very cool. I'll live vicariously through you for the time being. Keep these blog posts about the barefoot running coming!
Hey what happened to the awesome race pics?!Have fun with the Vibrams! FYI, I had to get Injinji socks to prevent the blisterage.
I'm with InspiREDtoRun… I'm planning on living vicariously through you. Keep it up!