Hey all, some of you may have seen me posting over the past couple of months in the BF forum over on Runner's World. Hope that name's not taboo around here.
Anyway, for those who aren't familiar with me, I'm from the Memphis area, just outside in northwest MS actually. I've been pretty much living barefoot since about May of this year, and around the first of August decided to try running. I'm 31 years old and have never been a runner before, but the whole experience of being barefoot actually inspired me to try it, as I'm somewhat overweight and out of shape.
So in August I tried starting C25K around my neighborhood, and I went completely barefoot. I had been going barefoot for months at that point so my calves and soles were built up pretty well, but it still turned out to be way too much for me at time. I got some large blisters on my feet and my calves were sore for a week. So I dialed it back to just walking for 2-3 miles at a time. Also during this time I was looking at VFF's as a way to be as close to barefoot as possible during winter months, however I couldn't afford to buy any for a long time. So I just kept walking BF as much as possible.
For several months after that I had this goal of walking at least 10 miles a week, and I was meeting and exceeding that most of the time. When we had daylight in the evening I used to go around my neighborhood in the evenings, sometimes taking my son with me in his stroller. However that loop got to be pretty boring.
After the time change in November, I started walking around the town square near my office during lunch breaks. I find that to be MUCH more enjoyable as there are many different routes I can take. I finally did get a pair of Komodosport LS's, which I wear when it's below 40° or so, or if I'm starting a new route with unfamiliar terrain (LOTS of very rough, old, chip-seal streets around my office). I tried one route BF that was mostly old chip-seal and my feet were TORN UP after 3 miles.
As of 2 weeks ago, I'm trying to get back on the C25K program, starting over again on Week 1. During my walks near my office, I would try to run a bit here and there, but I wanted a bit more structure to help me increase my endurance. At this point my legs and feet would likely be fine for running 5K barefoot, but my lungs just can't do it. I still can't run for more than 60 seconds straight without feeling like I'm huffing and puffing.
Anyway, that's my story. I want to be able to run nonstop for a decent distance so badly, just can't do it yet. But I love being barefoot every chance I get.
Anyway, for those who aren't familiar with me, I'm from the Memphis area, just outside in northwest MS actually. I've been pretty much living barefoot since about May of this year, and around the first of August decided to try running. I'm 31 years old and have never been a runner before, but the whole experience of being barefoot actually inspired me to try it, as I'm somewhat overweight and out of shape.
So in August I tried starting C25K around my neighborhood, and I went completely barefoot. I had been going barefoot for months at that point so my calves and soles were built up pretty well, but it still turned out to be way too much for me at time. I got some large blisters on my feet and my calves were sore for a week. So I dialed it back to just walking for 2-3 miles at a time. Also during this time I was looking at VFF's as a way to be as close to barefoot as possible during winter months, however I couldn't afford to buy any for a long time. So I just kept walking BF as much as possible.
For several months after that I had this goal of walking at least 10 miles a week, and I was meeting and exceeding that most of the time. When we had daylight in the evening I used to go around my neighborhood in the evenings, sometimes taking my son with me in his stroller. However that loop got to be pretty boring.
After the time change in November, I started walking around the town square near my office during lunch breaks. I find that to be MUCH more enjoyable as there are many different routes I can take. I finally did get a pair of Komodosport LS's, which I wear when it's below 40° or so, or if I'm starting a new route with unfamiliar terrain (LOTS of very rough, old, chip-seal streets around my office). I tried one route BF that was mostly old chip-seal and my feet were TORN UP after 3 miles.
As of 2 weeks ago, I'm trying to get back on the C25K program, starting over again on Week 1. During my walks near my office, I would try to run a bit here and there, but I wanted a bit more structure to help me increase my endurance. At this point my legs and feet would likely be fine for running 5K barefoot, but my lungs just can't do it. I still can't run for more than 60 seconds straight without feeling like I'm huffing and puffing.
Anyway, that's my story. I want to be able to run nonstop for a decent distance so badly, just can't do it yet. But I love being barefoot every chance I get.
