My One Year BFR AnniversaryBy Paraganek
On June 23 2010, exactly one year ago I decided to ditch my shoes and went for my very first run barefoot.
I only did 0.9 miles on a rubber track and it took me 10 minutes. My feet were quite sore after that run and I had to take the next day off to recover.
But that memorable run successfully started my path to barefoot running and what a great journey it has been so far !
I have run total about 700 miles, all barefoot with only two exceptions. One winter run on snow in freezing conditions and my very first trail run on a rocky forest road. Both in Vibrams.
For the first 25 weeks I was running on a pavement only. Then I tried trails and immediately got hooked.
These days 80% of my running is on trails, the rest is pavement.
My weekly mileage in my first year of barefoot running
As much as I was trying to avoid it I also fell victim to TMTS.
Looking back at the graph now I realize running almost 35 miles in my 26th week was not such a good idea. I paid for that and got injured in my 31st week. Luckily it was only a stress reaction on my lower fibula but it still took me 6 weeks to fully recover.
Here are some highlights of this great adventure:
Fastest run
June 21, 2011 (week 53)
Summer Solstice 5k
Time 0:23:32 (7:31 pace)
Farthest run
June 12, 2011 (week 52)
Wildwood trail, Portland, OR
Distance: 12.5 miles
Time: 01:59 (9:30 pace)
850 ft elevation change
Fun run
October 24, 2010 (week 19)
10k Run Like Hell Portland !
Time:0:48:19 (7:47 pace)
Running in Hawaiian man costume
Most beautiful trail run
March 14, 2011 (week 39)
Wildwood trail, Forest park, Portland, OR
The beauty of Pacific Northwest trail running video
Coldest run (barefoot)
November 25, 2010 (week 23)
10k Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day
Time: 00:54:34
Temperature: 32F, icy patches mixed with a little snow on the trail
Most painful run
...not counting the one I injured my fibula on...
November 28, 2010 (week 24)
Leif-Erikson drive in Forest park, Portland, OR
Distance: 8.8 miles
This was my very first trail run, the forest road was full of gravel and sharp rocks, not the best choice for a beginner. I lasted for about an hour and then I gave up and put Vibram Five Fingers on for the last 20 minutes. My feet were burning after that and I got 4 bruises in my arches.
Needles to say these days I run on the same road about three times a week, comfortable, relaxed and without any pain. It still amazes me how human body can adapt.
Muddiest run
May 15, 2011 (week 48)
X-Dog Havoc at the Hideout 5 mile trail race
Elevation change: 980 ft
Time: 0:53:46 (10:30 pace)
It was raining all night before and all day at the race. Everyone was slipping like crazy. We had a ton of fun
