Where to Start! (continued)

The main issue I ran into with starting to run barefoot and minimalist is finding enough of the right information. Between websites, books, videos, etc. there is just an onslaught of information to delve into. I would have preferred a coach, but no one in my area was advertising barefoot running in their curriculum. I decided to turn to books and have now read a ton of them along with blogs on running. I started with just a generic running book by the editor at Runner's World. It didn't even try to tell you form, it was mainly about the other aspects of running. Nutrition, hydration, and plans for beginners. It specified that form was different for each individual and you should let your body tell you what to do. For a beginner runner this is bull crap! If you listen to most runners you can expect pain, injuries, and more pain. That doesn't sound fun at all. If you watch a lot of runners they heel strike, again not something to try unless you like pain. Once I finished with that book, I read Barefoot Running Step by Step by Ken Bob. This book was an eye opener, but to me it didn't really explain everything well. He has several videos on the web that are either shot from a long distance or show a slow motion footfall one time. To me this was not really teaching me anything. He gives good pointers in his book, but it still didn't really teach me running. After that I delved into Pose and ChiRunning and those mixed with Ken Bob's book helped me start making more sense of running. I read a ton of blogs and finally Lee Saxby's booklet from VivoBarefoot. With these all under my belt I decided to give running barefoot a try. I do not care how great a guru Ken Bob is, do not start on gravel.I walked a little and it was not pleasant, but I am not one to quibble. I made it maybe 300 feet on the gravel at a nice little trot, and in horror realized I had to go back the same distance to get to a nicer medium. I decided I would start with either trails or pavement and leave the gravel for later. My girlfriend agreed as she didn't even try to run as she thought walking on the gravel was bad enough.