Hello from northeast Ohio

Tyler F.

Barefooters
Nov 21, 2015
6
11
3
25
My name is Tyler. I've been running for 4 years I'm a junior in highschool and do xc and track. I've been wanting to run minimalist barefoot for sometime but the only thing holding me back is my coach. I have a pair of xero shoes and a pair of vibrams I have run in during the off season. However, the short intermission between xc and track doesn't allow me to make the transition to barefoot running. I've been wearing nike free runs in the meantime and still get lectured by my coach but soon I hope to make the full transition.
 
Welcome, Tyler. If you are unable to run barefoot at school, there's nothing to stop you from doing it outside of school, right? :barefoot:
 
Dr. Mark trains barefoot and has won the Air Force marathon twice. Though, he races in Newtons.

I don't know if it is a true, but someone else posted that college track is less picky about footwear.

Also, elite colleges generally don't care about extracurricular activities, unless one is exceptional and at the All State level. Though I don't know how state colleges view such activities. If one is just doing it for fun, and not for a scholarship, then it doesn't sound fun anymore.

Anyhow, in a year and a half, hopefully you'll be in a more open-minded environment. Good luck!
 
Welcome, Tyler. Sounds to me like you've made a good start with the minimalist shoes. Respect the authority of your coach while doing what's best for you outside the areas that he can influence. If that means you stay minimalist for a while, no problems. I run mostly minimalist, although I try to make sure I get at least one BF run in per week to keep the sole conditioning. Just don't do too much too quickly - your soles will take time to consolidate the gains you make while transitioning to barefoot; I always try to provide at least one rest day between BF runs. Keep up the running either way, as the cardio fitness is the most important thing. BF and minimalist running will help keep you healthy and fit all your life. I'm an old soldier who ran as a heavy heel-striker in shoes for 25 years before transitioning to minimal/BF, and I wore out my hips and knees doing so. Of course, 9 years of carrying a 100-pound pack didn't help either. You have the opportunity to get your healthy, mid-/forefoot running form down pat before you do any long-term damage to your joints. Keep up the good work, and enjoy!
 
Easy there, hoss! Let's get you through a BF 5K safely and sustainably first. But with your interest and dedication, I have no doubt you'll be BF marathoning soon. I know it sounds crazy at your age, but sustainability (the ability to continue doing what you're doing until you die of old age) is crucially important; most of us, like me, don't figure that out until we've already screwed our bodies up so badly that the best we can hope for is compensating, surgery, or alternative exercises. Take a lesson from us old guys who weren't smart enough to think ahead when we were your age. Oh, and just as importantly, don't forget to have fun! Sustainably.
 
Welcome Tyler.

+1 Phil's.

Fun, safety, sheer enjoyment!

(After many years of injuries while running shod would cause me to stop to heal annually; experiencing BFR has allowed me the longest continuous stretch evar[!] .)

Do explore boundaries/limits, and be careful. As my father shared, in my 40s, just about every injury I'd gotten in teens are re-appearing unannounced.

To your health!