I yam what I yam and tha's all what I yam.

Jodelieh · Sep 24, 2016

hi there... I thought I started off with a Popeye quote. My name is Jedidja aka Jodelieh.

I am a mom of two girls. I started running in 2004 when my weight was 80kg. Walking and a different approach to food made me a lot thinner and - most important- healthier. I am not the biggest person in the world with my 1m63 and in weight now somewhere between 55 and 60. :headphone:

I did my first run in 2013; a 4EM, but with a back injury. I recovered and joined a group to train for the Damloop, a 10EM in my home region. 2 weeks before the race day I got a big calves injury, but with soms help I recovered and still ran the race. After 9km in the race it came back with vengeance! I recovered and got scared and every now and then I had a calves injury. I actually thought to give up running.

A few months ago I read an article about barefoot running and I got intrigued. It took me a summer to actually start and in august this year I decided to start walking to learn the forefoot strike. On sept 23, 2016 I've done my first barefoot interval and I loved it. Although now, the day after, I can feel my calves (the right way), but I have had no pain in my joints and I have hadn't so much fun with running in years!

I inspired my husband who is dealing with plantar Fasciitis to change his way of walking.

So tha's all what I yam

skedaddle · Sep 24, 2016

Great to here Jodelieh, just take things slowly at first and before long it will all be second nature, or should I say first nature.

It always amazes me how something so small as taking your shoes off can be so healing, in so many different ways, to so many different people. We're all unique, we yare what we yare

. But together we make a wonderfully diverse community, so welcome.

bare_ftazn · Sep 24, 2016

Welcome, Jodelieh! Take it slow. It took me about a year to get my calves and ankles conditioned enough to the point I could almost walk without hobbling after a barefoot run. It was worth it.

Tedlet · Sep 25, 2016

Hi J.
Welcome. Nice back story -especially the bit where you say you haven't had so much fun with running for years!
I think a few people would probably echo that statement

..

Go steady and enjoy..

Barefoot TJ · Sep 25, 2016

Welcome!

Tristan · Sep 25, 2016

Glad to have you here, and agreeing with what was said already to take it easy with the calves. They are what I struggled with the most, and still do a little after 5 years. If you were not using a forefoot strike before, perhaps more of a heel strike like so many of us used to do, then switching will load the calves up a lot more than they are used too. Make sure you're letting your heels touch down (but gently, after the ball of your foot) and not pushing off on your toes too much. In any case don't get too worked up right away, just about everyone needs a little transition time with some pains here and there as they get used to it, good luck!