New in Oakland with a question

Gaber

Barefooters
Dec 21, 2012
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#1
Hey All,

I'm new to barefoot running and fairly new to running in general. After starting running for about four months I read born to run, and I was set. When I ran the first time for a quarter of a mile barefoot, I felt nothing but joy and it felt right. So after inching my way up to .75 mile, I went for it and ran 4 miles. Of course I got tendantis.

All that aside, I've been healed and training again. I can't give up running in shoes to start totally over. I have to run some, I know this runs contrary to a lot of advice out there, but I gotta do it this way, though I've transisioned to minimal shoes.

Anyways, I'm up to about 3.5 miles barefoot per week and inching upwards. However, last time I ran (on asphalt) I got blisters on the balls of my feet near the big toe, and one small one on my heal. My question is this, is this just a matter of my feet toughening up, or could it be an issue with my running form? I've been very conscious of my running form, and paying close attention to the tips on this site, and on The Natural Running Center website.

Thanks in advance all.

Gabe
 
#3
Glad to have you with us, Gabe. Lean forward slightly, totally relax your feet, and you should eliminate all of the blisters that sound like they are indeed coming from pushing off (and possibly skidding a bit forward on landing, indicating that you may need a little more forward lean from your ankles). Welcome to the crew.
 
#4
Welcome!
 
#5
There are things about running form that only come with time running, because it just takes that time for the body to develop the habit of doing it consistently and almost subconsciously. I also think that there will be less blisters as your feet toughen, too, though. You just have to be patient. Form comes first.
 
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#8
Hi Gabe, and welcome!

I'm relatively new to barefoot running and, like yourself, blisters (particularly blood blisters) have been a regular thorn in my sole, so to speak. Over the past few months I've learned from other folks here the importance of form and pace, and that has helped tremendously. In my particular case, I find that if I am developing blisters in the same place as you, under the ball of the foot, it is usually because I am pushing the pace a bit too much, and my form has taken a hit and I'm reverting to a sort of shod-foot push off. Blisters develop over a period of time (as opposed to immediately after you start to run), and in my case, I begin to notice their formation in the later stages of a run. This is a clue to me that I am getting fatigued and my running form is breaking down. So, pay as much attention as you can to "the lift and the land:" lifting the foot, keeping it relaxed, then setting it down under your body (rather than in front of it). This usually does the trick for me if I can remember to do it.

And don't forget to smile.:)
 
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#9
Thanks everyone for all the advice. Definietly having fun running barefoot, even when the blisters pop up.

Since I posted that, I've run out doors twice for about 2.5 miles each and no blisters. I've been focusing on lifting my feet(not exactly sure how that's been working) but mostly on just relaxing and minding my posture. No blisters again yet... Tommorrow I'm off to do about 3 miles. Wish me luck.
 
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