Running on gravel barefoot - "Romancing the stones" - as Ken Bob suggests

Dan Cook · Apr 30, 2018

Ken Bob Saxton (Barefoot Ken Bob) writes: (page 114 of Barefoot Running Step by Step) emphasis added:
'DRILL 5: ROMANCING THE STONES
...Many "experts" (who are not names Ken Bob) routinely advise new barefooters to head for "barefoot-friendly" terrain like grass or sand .... Unfortunately these .... do not teach you how to run barefoot very well, if at all ....
Fact: If you want to learn how to run barefoot correctly in a way that will then transfer to any surface, you need to learn to handle the rough stuff first. That's why, in my travels around the country, I make a concerted attempt to start my clinics off with gravel. And I am not talking just any gravel...'

Has anyone here practiced running on gravel as Ken Bob suggests? I've tried it once or twice over the last year along a path half a mile away from my house. This is very bumpy and has lots of loose grit and stones etc, not as difficult as Ken Bob suggests but quite challenging. The fastest I can "run" on this is 14-15 minute mile pace. (Compare 7:10 minute mile-pace in a 5k parkrun or 6:00 minute mile page on an athletics track).

How long does it take to learn to run barefoot on gravel?

Any comments or tips welcome. Thank you.

Barefoot TJ · Apr 30, 2018

I've tried it. It's painful, but I understand it's more of a discipline exercise to help us to slow down and run gently, so that when we step off the gravel onto asphalt, concrete, even grass, we will do so with more care. I think the more you do it, the more you actually get used to it.

To be honest, I'm more leery of grass because I can't see what's beneath it, like a hole, or glass...

trevize1138 · May 1, 2018

Yes! Gravel is an incredible teacher. When I first started out I thought it was pretty much impossible but over time I've worked in more and more gravel exercises and it's only made me a better runner. I'm also slow on gravel, about the same 14 min/mile pace. Of course, speed and pace is not at all what gravel's about.

And I used to try to go out-of-my-way to really avoid fields of scattered rocks on concrete or even rough concrete. Thanks to gravel training I can handle those now just fine. You really learn to take Caballo Blanco's advice to heart: "If you have a choice between taking one step or two between rocks take three."

Wilder · May 1, 2018

Not all gravel is created equal too. There are some soft, deep gravel roads around here that are actually pretty plush to run on, and others that are more of a hardpacked dirt road with scatterings of loose gravel on top. The latter is harder, but I've come to really enjoy them actually. A lot of the old logging roads around here are paved with these sharp fist sized rocks for the first several hundred feet, now those are challenging and I usually have to walk them.

Kyrrinstoch · May 2, 2018

trevize1138 said:
And I used to try to go out-of-my-way to really avoid fields of scattered rocks on concrete or even rough concrete.

I've found I often tend to veer right into those spots of rough asphalt, as it serves as a quick "form check" for me, and ensuring I'm maintaining a soft landing/lift off.

Gordon · May 2, 2018

It took me a few months to learn to run on the gravel bike paths around here. At first, walking hurt and I could only do a mile of that. But all gravel is not created equal. Some is comfy rounded pea gravel and others are sharp crushed rock. I prefer chip seal for practicing form. It's nice and sharp but more uniform than gravel, so you can play with things and see what happens underfoot.

Barefoot TJ · May 2, 2018

Kyrrinstoch said:
I've found I often tend to veer right into those spots of rough asphalt, as it serves as a quick "form check" for me, and ensuring I'm maintaining a soft landing/lift off.

Oh man, when I ran I did this too. If I came upon a rough patch of asphalt or gravel, I would make sure to run right through it, even if I had to go a little out of my way, not as a punishment, but an experience. I used it as a teaching tool.

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Running on gravel barefoot - "Romancing the stones" - as Ken Bob suggests

Dan Cook

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