Hi from Minnesota!

Hello, all--

I'm a brand new barefoot runner (brand new to running & to barefooting) and very eager to soak up the wisdom of these forums.

My dad (a marathoner) suggested Born to Run when I asked him about barefoot/VFF running, and here I am (just like countless others, I'm sure). Anyway, in late October, I went for a few runs with my old running shoes, and it was not much fun. I gave up on shoes and have been on four short barefoot run/walks and am liking it a ton. The temps are low 40s so I don't stay out for long, but of course as my core warms up, my feet feel just fine.

Anyway, my current plan is: Keep up the barefoot training as long as I can stand it and/or until the snows come, then train in shoes. I've been thinking about the Saucony Hattori AWs, so if anybody has thoughts about those, I'd love to hear them!

I feel a little bit crazy for wanting to give this a shot, after a lifetime of hating running, but here I am, obsessively reading about barefoot running and daydreaming. I thought I was pretty tough biking year-round in Minnesota, but of course, there's always someone a little tougher (or crazier) out there to inspire me to go a bit farther. :)

Thanks for reading,
Tara
 
Welcome Tara! Glad to have you here.
 
Welcome! There are a lot of knowledgeable, helpful folks here. I'm sure you'll learn a lot (like the rest of us have).
 
The longer I run barefoot, the more convinced I am that people are crazy for wearing shoes! What were they thinking to design some of those things!? I have lately been looking at all the shoes in my closet that I haven't worn for months. What shall I do with them??
 
Welcome Tara, make sure you get in touch with some of those other CRAZY :rolleyes: Minnesota-ians, there are quite a few very knowledgable ones in your neck of the woods.
 
Laura, that's a tricky question and a harder answer to come up with. I have struggled with this dilemma myself for a long time. As much damage as they have caused me, why would I ever wish them on anyone else? I guess if they are a healthy-type of shoe, then donate them; if they are crap then dump them in the garbage.
 
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Good advice above. I started from "couch" myself, and found it made a conservative BF development easier, I think, because I didn't have to rein in my urge to go farther and faster too early. I was just hugely chuffed to be moving at all.
Good luck to you!
 
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Sorry, it slipped out. I will try to control myself.

Well please keep your huge chuff tucked in smartly so it doesn't slip out again. We're a family-oriented barefoot running site :D

Welcome, Tara. Don't mind Joseph Tree and his chafed chuff; he just get's a little excited, sometimes...
 
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I feel a little bit crazy for wanting to give this a shot, after a lifetime of hating running, but here I am, obsessively reading about barefoot running and daydreaming. I thought I was pretty tough biking year-round in Minnesota, but of course, there's always someone a little tougher (or crazier) out there to inspire me to go a bit farther.

You wouldn't be tooling around snowbound MN on a Pugsley, would you? Cos if so, that'd be majorly cool.

As for suddenly starting running (barefoot, or otherwise) I'd say don't overthink it too much. We all reach some point and go "Right, then. Yes. Indeed. Today we shall start running and the running will commence today." (OK, maybe not with so many words, but you get the gist.) I started running 24 years ago the week that my father had his first heart attack...to be honest I don't know if it was health driven or more just dealing with the stress of it all... Doesn't matter - remember that this is about enjoyment (OK, and a little bit of discomfort, but that's life, no?)

RP
 
Hello Tara!