Running again

Ran 3 miles in 27:08. Nice time. Nice weather.

First 5k run of 2012

I just had my first 5k run of the year. Barefoot, of course. 9:58 19:26 29:07 29:50

 These are my feet.

Running season starts

It was a beautiful 50 F this morning when I ran my first outdoor barefoot mile of the year.

Great day for a run

Today could not have been better for a run. The temperature was 62, the sun was only 1 hour high, and there was a light breeze. Not only that, I ran 5k in 27 minutes. Barefoot, of course.

Barefoot running hints

When I first started running barefoot, there was not much to it. Take off your shoes and run.

However, I have found more enjoyment following these tips.

• It is easier to run on grass or sand. It is not so ethical to run in others' yards.
  
• Wearing shoes for even short distances puts strain on your knees.
• If it is cold (<42 F) you are likely to get numb feet and won't feel an injury.
• If your toes are getting ripped by pavement, put some medical tape on the affected toes until they are calloused enough.
• If the top of your foot hurts, your strides are too long. Take shorter strides and speed up the cadence.
  

Running 5k

Just ran the 5k in a little under 26 minutes. 25:56.

Running 5k

Just ran another 5k (last one was April 8 in 28:37). Ran today's 5k in 28:38. That is smokin' for me.

I also ran 3 miles (left off the other .1) on April 9 in 26:48.

First outdoor run of the year

Finally got my first outside run of the year in. I had been doing the treadmill over the winter, so I decided to do 5k. After the first mile, my feet were getting numb, but I managed to make it the whole way. 29:04 for 5k. That is a great time for me.

It was also wonderful to hear the robins and geese instead of the whirring of the treadmill. When I wanted to speedup, I didn't have to adjust anything, I would just go faster.

I managed to get blisters on my #4 toes. I expected as much.... All in all, a great run!!

Running 5k

I finally got my running distance back up to 5 km today. It was cold. I hardly sweated. My split times were:

• 1 9:37
• 2 19:07
• 3 28:24
• 5k 29:19

New record time

I just ran 2 miles this morning with a new record time. I did it in 18:04. I used to run 5K in 18:20, so I am a lot slower now. I am hoping that I measured the course wrong. It really felt that I was going faster than 9 minute miles.

I was running barefoot, of course. A couple weeks ago, when it was cold, I tried running 2 miles, but after the 1st mile, my feet were numb. I wore shoes for the second mile. That made my knees sore. I guess it is true that shoes mess up your knees.

Anyway, yea for my fast time :-).

Barefoot running resources

Here are some barefoot running resources:

Wikipedia: Abebe Bikila and Zola Budd

Also, some web sites: http://www.barefootrunner.com/ and http://shodless.com/

chirunning barefoot injury free

There is an article in USA Today which supports my recent blogs about barefoot running. I suppose I could have built up the callouses more gently if I ran in the grass, but at 45 F and wet grass, my feet were too numb. I will stick to the sidewalk, thank you.

Running again

Ran a 7:28 mile barefoot, then ran some more. Developed what would have been blisters on the fourth toes, but they have callouses now. Ha ha.

Barefoot mile

Ran another barefoot mile this morning. Had to tape left fourth toe. Still ripped up. Got a blister on the right fourth toe this time. I ran it in 7:44. That's a smokin' for me.

It felt real good. My toes were not as numb this time. Temperature was 46 F. My calves are not as tight. Been running 1/4 to 1/2 mile barefoot since last mile.