I did it....:)

Yep indeed, Bernd, that first barefoot run is a cool hoot. Just to echo scedastic's advice, take it easy. 2 miles IS a lot for a first bf run. I haven't been running barefoot very long myself, but that is the single best piece of advice I've gotten on these boards. As my brother Larry (not really) says, curb your enthusiasm, particularly when it's on the cool side. It's pretty easy to overdo it when your feet aren't as sensitive (such as when it's really warm).

Having said all that left-brain stuff...enjoy the newfound freedom. It IS totally addicting!
 
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So your first barefoot run was a rain run? How lucky is that?! :barefoot:
 
Aahhhhhh, snow on the ground... from 66F to 32F over night.... Good that I took my run yesterday! By the way, calves are a little tight this morning but I did some good stretching which helps. I think I landed with my strides in front of my body, noticed that several times during my run, corrected but get back into my old habits so quickly. And thanks for the reminder... I will try not to over do it... which usually is hard for me to do..:)
 
I tried the no stretching thing for a while, I ended up developing Plantar Fasciitis which has sidelined me numerous times over the last year. I don't believe in the no stretching crap now. If stretching works for you, do it. I do believe that you shouldn't stretch an injury though, but that's a separate story. Rolling out your legs is great though to add in addition to the stretching.
 
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Adding to the confusion, whenever I stretch, it causes problems with my achilles.

This plethora of contradictory opinions is a great introduction to the forums. No one ever agrees. That's why we all get along so well. ;)
I believe mild stretching is fine, but if I stretch too hard I end up with problems like you clawhammer. Again, like being bf though, it comes down to actually listening to your body and understanding what it is telling you. For me (remember everyone is different and this is just what seems to work for me) a combination of the rolling and very mild stretching works amazingly well and is helping me to finally alleviate the PF symptoms and to feel good while running.
 
And I meant to add clawhammer that I agree, we seem to rarely agree as a group on much, from whether to Maf or not, to do strength training or not, to stretching or not, what our cadence should be, and on and on and on. I think most of us do agree on one thing though, that we need to learn how to listen to our bodies and interpret it's cues so we can learn to run and be healthy.
 
Congrats! That's great--there's no substitute for running with a smile on your face! I'm guessing things will be getting cold in Minnesota soon, and you may need to switch to minimalist shoes. Going completely barefoot has a sort "self-limiting" factor, but it's very easy to do too much too soon in minimalist shoes. Muscles will adapt quickly. Connective tissue will take months to adapt to the new loads, so be extra careful. Good luck and enjoy!
 
Congrats! That's great--there's no substitute for running with a smile on your face! I'm guessing things will be getting cold in Minnesota soon, and you may need to switch to minimalist shoes. Going completely barefoot has a sort "self-limiting" factor, but it's very easy to do too much too soon in minimalist shoes. Muscles will adapt quickly. Connective tissue will take months to adapt to the new loads, so be extra careful. Good luck and enjoy!

Yes Chuck, we have already snow on the ground and I will switch to minimalist shoes. I used them before, nice but not as nice as bf. I guess i will hop on the treadmill soon. Tonight it's 16F...:(
 
Congrats on the run, just remember to build up gradually. The soles of your feet, your calves and other misc. body parts will thank you for that consideration. Also just a quick tidbit on the snow, totally possible to run in the cold and snow (I'm not just saying that because I am Canadian), but like any type of barefoot running, you have to build up to it.
 
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My absolute favorite feeling is when the day is cool or even cold (I'm in CA so that means around 50-60 degrees - HA!) but the sun is shining and warming the ground and the moment you step out into the sunshine you feel it permeate your soles and toes not just through the ground but on the tops of your feet. You would never get that feeling wearing shoes. Ever.