First Barefootish Run Tomorrow! Last Minute Advice?

Barefoot DJ

Barefooters
Oct 7, 2011
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I've been sincerely thinking about giong into barefooting for about a month, and i've jogged around my house barefoot, in socks, etc, but I haven't actually been on my usual running route while being barefoot or minimalist shoe-clod. Tomorrow, I'm doing my usual route to the entrance of my neighborhood and back (I live at another entrance), and its probably around 2-2.5 miles. I'm going in Champion Black Socks (Extreme Swag). Any advice on what to carry, limits to set, etc?
 
Way too far for a first run. 

Way too far for a first run. You should only be going a small fraction of your normal distance the first time you go out.



Personally, I would tell you to carry your shoes and do no more than 1/2 mile barefoot (or in socks) -- even if you're feeling good at the 1/2 mile mark. That's going slow, and being willing to stop earlier if necessary. You really have to ramp up very slowly.
 
Someone else will be able to

Someone else will be able to answer that better than I can. I was extremely conservative, especially after I had to take a break and restart. (I had some bad blistering problems for a while.) But it'll be weeks, not days.



The beginning is the hardest part, because you really are adapting to a new style of running. I know it sounds frustrating, but it's important to go slowly (both in terms of increasing distance, and during your runs -- you should run slower and get comfortable with the new form). Just go slow and enjoy it.
 
Basically I'll try kind of

Basically I'll try kind of the C25k approach to it... (basically you run a quarter mile 3 times a week, and increase by a quarter mile each week).
And I already have the form, it's pretty much how Christopher McDougall described it as- Landing on the balls of my feet, slightly rolling from the outside of my foot. I noticed it while I was wearing my wornout sneaks, trying to just run on the balls of my feet.
 
DJ- Take it easy. Listen to

DJ- Take it easy. Listen to your body and if it doesn't fit the plan expect to hold back a bit. Your calves and achilles may feel it, but long after you've stopped and realized it, so keep your runs pretty short. Give yourself plenty of time to recover as well. Maybe two to three days between runs if you need to. You will have a better idea of how you are doing the day after a run rather than while you are in it. :)
 
Barefoot DJ wrote:Basically

Barefoot DJ said:
Basically I'll try kind of the C25k approach to it... (basically you run a quarter mile 3 times a week, and increase by a quarter mile each week). And I already have the form, it's pretty much how Christopher McDougall described it as- Landing on the balls of my feet, slightly rolling from the outside of my foot. I noticed it while I was wearing my wornout sneaks, trying to just run on the balls of my feet.



Good idea. It's a good method to transitioning. However, I'd take a step back before thinking you have the form down. Shoes, regardless of how thin, alter your form. Even if you land on the balls of your foot while shod, there are a myriad of different things that happen when bare. Take it slow, listen to your body.



Pain should be avoided at all times. Discomfort can be tweaked into non-existance. If it hurts, you are doing something wrong. If it is uncomfortable, it's probably just because it's new.



Hope it helps,

Aaron
 
It's like 54 degrees with a

It's like 54 degrees with a bad wind chill, which is pretty cold for us Georgia folks, so looks like its postponed. Thanks for all the help, though!
 
54 degrees F in Georgia! 

54 degrees F in Georgia! That's dreamy! I'vw run in much colder than that, not to brag. You'll get used to it and amaze yourself at what you are able to do, but you gotta want to do it. Most people don't want to step out barefoot into the cold.

Where is Georgia are you? Can we add you to the BRS Georgia State's Map?

Welcome!
 
Well, our winters are like 40

Well, our winters are like 40 degrees fahrenheit, so you'd see how this is cold for us ha. And I live in Columbus, GA , which is on the bend in west central Georgia. You can add me to the map
 
I'm outside Atlanta.  I've

I'm outside Atlanta. I've trained myself to run down to 27 degrees here. You start out as it is right now in the morning, and as the days progress, the temps do to, and then so do you.

I'll add you to the map. There's another member in Columbus, if you want to meetup with them. Check out the map here: Georgia BRS Members
 
Did my run, estimated about

Did my run, estimated about 1/3 of a mile. I ran faster than I usually would on my 2 1/2 mile course, but not like a sprint. i sort of struggled with it a little bit. Any ideas as to why that is?
 
A little more details about

A little more details about the struggle would be helpful.
 
DJ, Listen to the folks. 

DJ, Listen to the folks. I'll bet there's a lot of TMTS experience speaking. As much as anything else you have a lot of building to do on your support structures. As mentioned, your calves and achilles have been getting a free ride your whole life so far, and will need to be jollied along as they learn to take some of your new load. As your support structures grow and strengthen, your form will change, too. It's all a moving target and you will be surprised by many new aches and twinges along the way. Good luck and have fun.
 
Barefoot DJ wrote:Did my run,

Barefoot DJ said:
Did my run, estimated about 1/3 of a mile. I ran faster than I usually would on my 2 1/2 mile course, but not like a sprint. i sort of struggled with it a little bit. Any ideas as to why that is?



Keeping the distance low is good, but you should be running slower than normal at the start. I'll just repeat TJ's question -- what were you struggling with?
 
Sounds like rest, form and

Sounds like rest, form and speed. Using new muscles or the same muscles in a new way is always more taxing. Also, I can run 9 miles or so at an avge of about a -10m/m pace, but if I dip into the 8s and hold low 9s, I'm usually spent by about mile 3, have to slow down and am more sore the next day.

It's hard to say without seeing you run, but if your hams were toast and your achillies hurt, it makes me think your clip was a bit fast, not enough rest since your last run, you're over striding or up on your tippy toes and not letting your heal come down. If you haven't already, read everything you can get your hands on about form. Search 1-2-3 landing if you haven't already read "Barefoot Running Step by Step" by Ken Bob Saxton.

Also, if you've been running in shoes with a heel for a long time, it will take a while for your achillies to stretch back out. You've been basically walking around and running "down hill" if you think about it. Low in the front, high in the back. That can cause the tendon to truncate. It'll stretch back out, but not over-night.

Just listen to your body...you'll get there!

-Jonny
 
Hi DJ, I'm new to BFR too.

Hi DJ,



I'm new to BFR too. I started a few weeks ago at 1/4 mile the first week 1/2 mile 2nd week and yesterday I did 1 mile. I will try to do a mile again in a day or two, but I will listen to my body AND the warnings of those who know. I felt I could do more than a mile yesterday - but I didn't because of warnings not to. I am glad I listened. My feet heated up pretty good and if I kept running I probably would have caused some real damage to my soles.

When I go out in the next day or two I might actually go back down in distance if I don't feel 100%.

I'm really posting to tell you that on one of my first runs I was so out of breath I was embarassed people could hear me panting. I just couldn't catch my breath - and it was only about 1/3 mile. I cut my run short because of it. It was screwing with my form and causing me to tense up. Not fun (which it is supposed to be). My BFR friend told me that he thought my pace was probably too fast. So, the next time I went out, I purposely slowed down to a light jog and BINGO, no breathing problems. He also gave me a metronome which helps you with keeping a certain rhythm while running. Slowing down also allowed me to adjust any issues with my form. Slowing down also allowed me to r-e-l-a-x....



See if slowing down to a light jog helps... Anyway, good luck to you.



Regards,

Joe
 
When I first started out I

When I first started out I remember having trouble slowing down as well. Something about focusing on the new form made me run really fast. I had to consciously and repeatedly remind myself to slow down, and that helped alot. It's really all about building a foundation. Take the time now to build good form, strong base muscles, etc, and it will pay off down the road. I spent 3 months getting up to 3 miles, and for a bit was worried that I'd never get there. But now I feel like I have a good base and can start increasing mileage without too much trouble.



Patience is the name of the game.
 

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