Patrick4Liberty

Barefooters
Apr 14, 2020
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Hello!

I'm new to BRC and sought it out after suffering a fairly severe muscle strain today on the outside of my lower left leg (I actually questioned whether I had a hairline fracture in in fibia, which does not appear to be the case).

Obviously, I did some things incorrectly. I have been doing 1-2 trail runs (typically 2-3 miles) for about 3 years now. And for the last 18 mos., I've been doing treadmill 2-3x/week and the elliptical 2-3x/week, with each of those workouts concluded by 20-30 min. of CrossFit training, with a focus on core/balance work. This running was do e with Nike Free Run shoes (the same pair).

Since the COVID-19 scare kicked in, I've been just trail running 3-4x/week, with some CrossFit and stretching at home. I've been working with the Maffetone 180 Method to stay within my target heart rate range (~135 beats/min.) while running, and my running time this past 5 weeks has gone from ~30 min. to ~60 min. because my breathing is no longer so strained as it usually was in the past. Also, I've been doing these trail runs in minimalist trail shoes from Xero. I never over-stride, and I haven't had any dramatic twists of ankles/knees, yet here I am with a leg that can barely support any weight.

So, I am definitely looking to learn more about training and technique so I can get back on the trails soon. I look forward to joining a community of like-minded, athletic nature-lovers who have learned to truly appreciate and love their running!
 
Welcome, Patrick! I think you've done something right. You've joined the BRS! Please feel free to join local Chapter through the Chapters link above.

You've made me think of something though. As we all know, COVID19 attacks the lungs, and I can't help but think runners and athletes who have strong lungs will fair better than those of us who don't.
 
Hello!

I'm new to BRC and sought it out after suffering a fairly severe muscle strain today on the outside of my lower left leg (I actually questioned whether I had a hairline fracture in in fibia, which does not appear to be the case).

I never over-stride, and I haven't had any dramatic twists of ankles/knees, yet here I am with a leg that can barely support any weight.

I think I’ve experienced something similar to this in the past. I just eased off the running for a week and did some time on the foam roller in those areas...it seems to have sorted itself out.

p.s.- the foam roller thing hurt like hell initially but immediately after I felt a lot of relief due to the tightness relaxing.
 
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You've made me think of something though. As we all know, COVID19 attacks the lungs, and I can't help but think runners and athletes who have strong lungs will fair better than those of us who don't.

Every member of my family caught the virus, and even after five weeks now still haven't fully recovered. I was exposed to them coughing virus all over all that time, since I really didn't want to isolate myself in my room, but I never got sick.
 
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Welcome, Patrick!

Trail running in general is great practice for a host of reasons. It's no accident that you're not twisting ankles or getting injured as much on a loose, variable, lower-traction surface than paved surfaces. We evolved a pair of amazing shock absorbers loaded with a proportion of elastic tendons second only to kangaroo legs (according to Born to Run). We can handle vertical load and hard surfaces great.

What we did not evolve to handle was excess horizontal braking forces. Put on a pair of snug-fitting modern athletic shoes with super grippy rubber tread and run on a paved surface and now you've got way more traction than evolution has crafted us for. You're subtly encouraged to over-extend your legs out in front (over-stride) and out behind (pushing off too harshly or too late). Those surfaces can feel "hard" mostly beause they encourage that kind of harsh movement where the shoes and socks hide what would otherwise be pain signals warning you about that damaging, wasteful ground friction.

Get on a trail and a lot of that is fixed automatically. At the top of the list is the loose surface and lower traction. You can't leverage that artificial supergrip anymore so you keep your feet under your hips. Trails also often have rocks, roots and other things that force you to watch your step. The surface is not significantly softer than a paved surface but it will feel significantly "softer" because you're running softer.

The trick, then, is to pay close attention to all the good habits going on there and run like that in all situations. For me I struggle to run well in any footwear on paved surfaces now so I just go unshod there.I lose the artificial grip and my feet will blister and hurt if I engage in ground friction. Skin does get thicker over a long time but it will never withstand a lot of excess friction. On trails I'm either unshod or in sandals depending on how rough the surface is. If there's a lot of gravel I keep the sandals on. If it's a lot of smooth dirt that's just super fun to go barefoot on.

Keep it up! Don't be afraid to kick those shoes off on a regular basis and get some skin-on-ground. Nothing will teach you to improve your form and make you a better runner quite like your own two, naked feet.
 
Welcome, Patrick!

Trail running in general is great practice for a host of reasons. It's no accident that you're not twisting ankles or getting injured as much on a loose, variable, lower-traction surface than paved surfaces. We evolved a pair of amazing shock absorbers loaded with a proportion of elastic tendons second only to kangaroo legs (according to Born to Run). We can handle vertical load and hard surfaces great.

What we did not evolve to handle was excess horizontal braking forces. Put on a pair of snug-fitting modern athletic shoes with super grippy rubber tread and run on a paved surface and now you've got way more traction than evolution has crafted us for. You're subtly encouraged to over-extend your legs out in front (over-stride) and out behind (pushing off too harshly or too late). Those surfaces can feel "hard" mostly beause they encourage that kind of harsh movement where the shoes and socks hide what would otherwise be pain signals warning you about that damaging, wasteful ground friction.

Get on a trail and a lot of that is fixed automatically. At the top of the list is the loose surface and lower traction. You can't leverage that artificial supergrip anymore so you keep your feet under your hips. Trails also often have rocks, roots and other things that force you to watch your step. The surface is not significantly softer than a paved surface but it will feel significantly "softer" because you're running softer.

The trick, then, is to pay close attention to all the good habits going on there and run like that in all situations. For me I struggle to run well in any footwear on paved surfaces now so I just go unshod there.I lose the artificial grip and my feet will blister and hurt if I engage in ground friction. Skin does get thicker over a long time but it will never withstand a lot of excess friction. On trails I'm either unshod or in sandals depending on how rough the surface is. If there's a lot of gravel I keep the sandals on. If it's a lot of smooth dirt that's just super fun to go barefoot on.

Keep it up! Don't be afraid to kick those shoes off on a regular basis and get some skin-on-ground. Nothing will teach you to improve your form and make you a better runner quite like your own two, naked feet.
This is an amazing summation of my thoughts regarding our feet, their functionality, and trail running unshod. In addition to not twisting ankles I’d like to add that no blisters is a huge plus.

And welcome to Patrick