Hello #2

North Coast Murray

Barefooters
May 24, 2011
13
10
3
Hi there!

I was here 10 years ago and got up to 5K barefoot, but then backed off when some nagging pains started to persist. My job as a letter carrier had me walking 25,000 to 30,000 steps per day, 5 days a week, so the running had to go.

I retired early a bit after my 60th birthday (reduced pension yes, but major increase in overall happiness/freedom) and started running again.

It took about 3 months this winter to get to 5K again. I've been wearing running shoes (Saucony Tornado's) because I walked my route in hiking boots or New Balance walking shoes, both of which have pretty high heels. To get ready for low/zero drop running shoes, sandals, or barefooting, I've been wearing cheap pool slippers while in the house to give my achilles time to get some length.

I have a dream...to run 4,500' up a local mountain and back, which is about a 25K round trip. Have started a 12 week 20K running plan, so if everything holds together should be able to do it (in shoes/sandals) before I turn 61 at the end of August.

Good to be back!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Barefoot TJ
Hi. --waves--

Sounds like a great goal! Welcome back.

I never ran much (I joined the forum just because it was pro-barefoot). I am in Wyoming and plan to start walking barefoot outdoors on dry days that are above 40° after my back heals, which should be soon (fell on my back on ice just over a week ago).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Barefoot TJ
Brrrr, must have gotten c-c-cold there this winter.

A sore back sucks because everything depends on it. Got hit in the back by a log decades ago & got flown to the hospital in a helicopter, strapped to a back board. Discovered whole new worlds of pain during the ride, but it was better than being paralyzed!

A few months later got a job helping survey roads through the mountains. Best rehabilitation of all time, wandering around through forested mountain sides all day.

Hope you bounce back quickly!!
 
Hi. --waves--

Sounds like a great goal! Welcome back.

I never ran much (I joined the forum just because it was pro-barefoot). I am in Wyoming and plan to start walking barefoot outdoors on dry days that are above 40° after my back heals, which should be soon (fell on my back on ice just over a week ago).
Yikes, Random! You okay?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Random
Brrrr, must have gotten c-c-cold there this winter.

A sore back sucks because everything depends on it. Got hit in the back by a log decades ago & got flown to the hospital in a helicopter, strapped to a back board. Discovered whole new worlds of pain during the ride, but it was better than being paralyzed!

A few months later got a job helping survey roads through the mountains. Best rehabilitation of all time, wandering around through forested mountain sides all day.

Hope you bounce back quickly!!
You do have a positive attitude, that's for sure. Welcome back! Your goal sounds exciting. Keep us informed on your progress. We have a Blog section you could use as well if you're into journaling.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Random
You do have a positive attitude, that's for sure. Welcome back! Your goal sounds exciting. Keep us informed on your progress. We have a Blog section you could use as well if you're into journaling.

Thanks for the welcome back.

Oh, think I'll hold off on the blog idea. Was just telling my wife today that this challenge is unique in that I have absolutely no idea if I can do it our not. Usually, you have a pretty good idea that with planning and preparation you have a solid chance of pulling off some crazy stuff. This, however, is completely different.

I've never ran further than 5K in my life, but have pulled some long days in the mountains with an extra 20 pounds of camera gear stuffed in the pack. Have also been on trail building crews where we would speed walk up to the job site then run down the mountain at days end, but that was about 35 years ago!

Dare to Dream...
 
Last edited:
Slow and steady. You can do this!
 
Slow and steady. You can do this!

Thanks. Took 12 weeks to 5K, plan on 12 weeks to 20K, then maybe another 12 or so to be mountain worthy.

There's still snow on the valley floor right now, so by June it should have melted partway up the mountain. Then instead of doing a speed or tempo run midweek, I'll run from the base of the mountain up to the snow line and back to the base. If I do that once a week, it'll be a slow, gradual increase in distance and elevation each time as the snow line moves up the mountain.

We'll see...
 
Allow the snow melt to measure your goals, I like it. I used to see a tree off in the distance and tell myself to get that far, then once I reached that distance, I'd decide if a tree ahead of me could be my next goal and on and on. The snow melt sounds much more exciting though!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Random
Thanks for asking. I'm practically healed. I think it's possible that I had some hairline fractures because of how long it took me to heal. I'm going to start going for walks next week.
That's good. Why do you suppose it takes hairline fractures longer to heal?