Starting out Barefoot in the Cold

What am I, Barefoot Ken Bob, 30-year resident of beautiful sunny southern California, doing writing about how to start out barefoot in cold weather?

Well, first of all, it occasionally drops well below 60 degrees Fahrenheit here! So I do know a little bit about cold weather.

But seriously, I did live in northern Michigan for bit more than 24 years. And, yes I was running barefoot back then, just not year-round, at least not outside.

Unless you live in a moderate, or tropical climate, the best time to begin running barefoot would seem to be spring. But those long cold northern (or southern for those down under) winters actually have a nice moderating effect, helping to keep us from going out and succumbing to the dreadful Running Barefoot Exuberance Syndrome (RBES), where you feel so great running barefoot, you over-do it and injure yourself (same problem with Vibram Five-Fingers, and anything else that limits your sole's stimulation)....

So cold weather is actually a great time to start barefooting ... inside, just to get your feet used to being naked, and feeling the hard floors, carpets, etc.. Focus on trying to figure out what your feet are telling you. If it hurts, it's because you're doing something your feet don't like, not necessarily standing, walking, or running barefoot, but the WAY you're standing, walking, or running!

In the meantime, get your bare feet outside, occasionally, at least for a few minutes (especially on warmer days), so they can start feeling... just feeling things outside of footwear, smooth floors, and soft carpet. Don't stay out so long that your feet become numb. On the other hand, realize that for a few moments, your feet will feel colder, as your body works to keep your core warm. Once your core is taken care of, your body will send more heat down to your feet - and walking or running will also help warm the feet.

If you're just beginning to go barefoot (running or walking) your feet have really NOT been exercising with you - they were imprisoned in shoes. Walking and Running Barefoot will be a completely NEW activity (or at least a "rebirth") for your feet, and many other muscles that you might not have used while running in shoes. Let your feet start out very short, slow, and build very gradually as you learn to listen and respond to them. Think of this like an infant taking their first steps. Sure, an infant will walk/run until they collapse, but that's only a few steps at a time!

By spring, your feet will be happy, eager, and hungry for the stimulation of even the roughest pavement and gravel!

Comments

I've noticed over the past 3 years a very gradual adaptation to running in the cold. Ithink the first Fall Iran barefoot, even temps in the 40's felt really cold, but by my 3rd Winter, temps in the 30's and sometimes even the 20's (if dry) weren't all that bad.

I think the key is to listen to your feet and respect whatever their current limits are. And better to resort to some kind of light footwear, rather than succumb to frostbite.
 
Thanks Ken! Can I make a request, can you post a blurb about cold running for the experienced barefoot runner? Would you change any of your runs as you ease into winter? What is the lowest temp you have run?
 

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