Hi everyone, I’m Liesl (lee-syl) and I’m a new barefoot runner from Wylie, TX (about 45 minutes NE of Dallas)
Ran track and cross-country barefoot in South Africa when I was in high school 21 years ago, but once I left school I stopped exercising. Shame.
My husband Brian started running a year ago (he used to run as a teen too & when he was in the Army several years ago). I thought I couldn't do it because I have had trouble with my back since our first son was born, so I started (recreational) cycling instead. Then in April this year, Brian ran 10K in a relay team at the Oklahoma City Marathon... as I stood at the finish line watching people of all sizes and ages crossing I wondered to myself why I couldn't do it!? I'm almost 40 and I'm not running!? Why?
I used to love it all those years ago, I wanted to run again, I wanted to be one of those people crossing the finish line next year!
That week upon returning home I began the 'couch to 5K' program just as my husband had. To my surprise my back did not hurt at all. Went to a specialty running store to get fitted for shoes, because that is what everyone does right? But... right from the start my fancy Nike's did not feel right - you can’t take them back to the store after you’ve run a mile down the road. Amazing that after 20+ years, I still knew how it felt running barefoot and running in shoes was just horrible, like feeling trapped and tied down. I kept getting hurt too, severe shin pain, strained muscles, sciatica... causing me to take weeks off between trying again. I knew I had to take my shoes off and noticed people talking more and more about VFF’s so I got some Bikilas and ditched the Nike’s.
I had read about doing too much too soon, but I am barefoot 99% of the time indoors & outdoors. I figured I would be OK, not to mention I did not get very far on C25K because of stopping for injury anyway. But once I put the Bikilas on I was flying (as fast as my untrained self could that is) felt like a teen again and back at it for two weeks, almost up to 3 miles and wouldn’t you know it ‘top of foot pain.’ Both feet! So bad, I thought I might have broken something. I also had what felt like bruised heals and plantar fasciitis. (It may not have been pf because it healed in a couple of weeks though)
A whole month off from running, we went to Colorado on vacation and did an unexpected hike with flip-flops (when I have to wear shoes, that is all I wear) a couple of miles up very rocky terrain to a waterfall (avatar pic, Great Sand Dunes National Park / Zapata Falls). That felt great and I knew my feet were well enough to start running again.
* Now for the past month I’ve been running with no shoes, up to 2 miles and wondering why I didn’t just do that in the first place. No pain, I just have to stop myself from going too far and I am really slow - it will be a long time before I’ll participate in any race... I just want to run injury free for a while first before speeding up or going much farther.
I have already stepped on glass, a total surprise as I do watch carefully where I’m going... my feet are quite tough already and I can handle small stones and rough streets.
I’ve also been scolded by a neighbor already, he was not being friendly as he shouted at me, “You need to get a good pair of running shoes!” I smiled and shouted back, “No thanks, these are the best!” as I pointed to my feet. Felt silly afterwards, should have had a better come-back. Like, “Dude, do I look like I’m 12? Don’t tell me what to do!” LOL What do you all say to comments like that anyway?
This is probably boring (and far too long) to most of you as you run far and fast and have for a long time. I just felt like finding a place online to go to for advice and encouragement and this looks like a sweet hang out Besides, I hope to run in a race someday and I really want to do it barefoot... hoping to find others in N. Texas doing the same.
edit: * Ditched the VFF's too by the way, still tend to hit the ground with my heal too hard with them on. I did run in them a couple of nights ago and it was not as much fun as barefoot.
Ran track and cross-country barefoot in South Africa when I was in high school 21 years ago, but once I left school I stopped exercising. Shame.
My husband Brian started running a year ago (he used to run as a teen too & when he was in the Army several years ago). I thought I couldn't do it because I have had trouble with my back since our first son was born, so I started (recreational) cycling instead. Then in April this year, Brian ran 10K in a relay team at the Oklahoma City Marathon... as I stood at the finish line watching people of all sizes and ages crossing I wondered to myself why I couldn't do it!? I'm almost 40 and I'm not running!? Why?
I used to love it all those years ago, I wanted to run again, I wanted to be one of those people crossing the finish line next year!That week upon returning home I began the 'couch to 5K' program just as my husband had. To my surprise my back did not hurt at all. Went to a specialty running store to get fitted for shoes, because that is what everyone does right? But... right from the start my fancy Nike's did not feel right - you can’t take them back to the store after you’ve run a mile down the road. Amazing that after 20+ years, I still knew how it felt running barefoot and running in shoes was just horrible, like feeling trapped and tied down. I kept getting hurt too, severe shin pain, strained muscles, sciatica... causing me to take weeks off between trying again. I knew I had to take my shoes off and noticed people talking more and more about VFF’s so I got some Bikilas and ditched the Nike’s.
I had read about doing too much too soon, but I am barefoot 99% of the time indoors & outdoors. I figured I would be OK, not to mention I did not get very far on C25K because of stopping for injury anyway. But once I put the Bikilas on I was flying (as fast as my untrained self could that is) felt like a teen again and back at it for two weeks, almost up to 3 miles and wouldn’t you know it ‘top of foot pain.’ Both feet! So bad, I thought I might have broken something. I also had what felt like bruised heals and plantar fasciitis. (It may not have been pf because it healed in a couple of weeks though)
A whole month off from running, we went to Colorado on vacation and did an unexpected hike with flip-flops (when I have to wear shoes, that is all I wear) a couple of miles up very rocky terrain to a waterfall (avatar pic, Great Sand Dunes National Park / Zapata Falls). That felt great and I knew my feet were well enough to start running again.
* Now for the past month I’ve been running with no shoes, up to 2 miles and wondering why I didn’t just do that in the first place. No pain, I just have to stop myself from going too far and I am really slow - it will be a long time before I’ll participate in any race... I just want to run injury free for a while first before speeding up or going much farther.
I have already stepped on glass, a total surprise as I do watch carefully where I’m going... my feet are quite tough already and I can handle small stones and rough streets.
I’ve also been scolded by a neighbor already, he was not being friendly as he shouted at me, “You need to get a good pair of running shoes!” I smiled and shouted back, “No thanks, these are the best!” as I pointed to my feet. Felt silly afterwards, should have had a better come-back. Like, “Dude, do I look like I’m 12? Don’t tell me what to do!” LOL What do you all say to comments like that anyway?
This is probably boring (and far too long) to most of you as you run far and fast and have for a long time. I just felt like finding a place online to go to for advice and encouragement and this looks like a sweet hang out
Besides, I hope to run in a race someday and I really want to do it barefoot... hoping to find others in N. Texas doing the same.edit: * Ditched the VFF's too by the way, still tend to hit the ground with my heal too hard with them on. I did run in them a couple of nights ago and it was not as much fun as barefoot.
