Hi Everyone,
I'm Thoma (pronounced "toe-muh") and I live in Reno. People automatically assume it's like Vegas, but we're really lucky that it's not (no offense LV), we're definitely high-desert: very dry whether hot or cold; and trails are abundant throughout the area, though I haven't been brave enough yet to try trails without shoes.
Like others, I slid into BF running sideways, kind of accidentally, because of injury and fascination.
I started running when I was 13 as a way to escape as it gave me private, quiet space- it is still my happy place, though the recurring shin splints etc. were a constant drain on my running peace and I was often sidelined for one thing or another. Had bunion surgery in 2008, was fitted for orthotics and told my biomechanics were all messed up, and started over again. Finally did my first half-marathon in May 2010, then ramped up my MPW a bit in June to include some speedwork ahead of the next half marathon in September. Bam, shin splints again.
Not sure how, but I ended up online reading about minimalist running and form change; I was fascinated and immediately went out and bought a pair of VFF Sprints & ran 4 1/2 miles that night. I couldn't walk the next day, but wasn't discouraged, especially after reading Born to Run and the seeds of hope for joyful, injury-less running, and BareFeet were planted. Finally, after a very painful July of tendonitis from too much too soon in the VFF and continuing to run 10 mi shod every Saturday, I decided that all the gushing barefooters knew something I didn't and I wanted to experience it. I ditched the orthotics first and bought a pair of cheap flats for the long trails, re-read Born to Run, and ditched shoes completely for the short mid-week runs. OMG how much fun and so here I am!
I'm Thoma (pronounced "toe-muh") and I live in Reno. People automatically assume it's like Vegas, but we're really lucky that it's not (no offense LV), we're definitely high-desert: very dry whether hot or cold; and trails are abundant throughout the area, though I haven't been brave enough yet to try trails without shoes.
Like others, I slid into BF running sideways, kind of accidentally, because of injury and fascination.
I started running when I was 13 as a way to escape as it gave me private, quiet space- it is still my happy place, though the recurring shin splints etc. were a constant drain on my running peace and I was often sidelined for one thing or another. Had bunion surgery in 2008, was fitted for orthotics and told my biomechanics were all messed up, and started over again. Finally did my first half-marathon in May 2010, then ramped up my MPW a bit in June to include some speedwork ahead of the next half marathon in September. Bam, shin splints again.
Not sure how, but I ended up online reading about minimalist running and form change; I was fascinated and immediately went out and bought a pair of VFF Sprints & ran 4 1/2 miles that night. I couldn't walk the next day, but wasn't discouraged, especially after reading Born to Run and the seeds of hope for joyful, injury-less running, and BareFeet were planted. Finally, after a very painful July of tendonitis from too much too soon in the VFF and continuing to run 10 mi shod every Saturday, I decided that all the gushing barefooters knew something I didn't and I wanted to experience it. I ditched the orthotics first and bought a pair of cheap flats for the long trails, re-read Born to Run, and ditched shoes completely for the short mid-week runs. OMG how much fun and so here I am!
