No Pain

After watching barefoot running video's (the one's on Barefoot Ted's website are great) I began to understand the form better and also saw that I did not run like these experienced barefooters. When running barefoot it is important to run with a faster cadence. I was jogging very slowly on my tip-toes, which wasn't working for me. By running a little quicker you hit the ground with less impact and it actually becomes easier to run faster than to jog slowly. Another one of my misconceptions was that you could not put your heel on the ground. After watching some videos, I noticed that barefoot runners run ball-heel-ball. The ball of their foot hits first, then the heel comes down lightly, and then they push of the ball of their foot again. It is very subtle, but I found that they did not run on their toes like I was.

I ran yesterday where I alternated running with walking:

5 min walk (warm up)

3 min run
1.5 min walk
5 min run
3 min walk
3 min run
1.5 min walk
5 min run

5 min walk (warm down)

I woke up this morning with zero pain! Even though I do not normally run two days in a row, I might go out for a shorter run today just to experiment more with a faster cadence.

Huaraches

I ordered a huaraches sandal kit from Barefoot Ted and received it in the mail yesterday. I quickly assembled them and didn't expect them to be so comfortable. These sandals are ideal for runners because it reinforces the idea of "less is more." Less cushion. Less structure. Less support. Less everything. This minimalist footwear helps to "re-discovering fundamental natural human running capacities." Although I am hesitant to run in them just yet, they are great everyday shoes for walking around in. These shoes are indigenous to the the Tarahumara, a hidden Indian tribe of super athletes that live in the Copper Canyon. For more info see Barefoot Ted's website: http://barefootted.com/

My running these days are slow going. Trying to run "naturally" is just like starting over in your training. It's completely different from running in $100.00 pair of running shoes. I run for a little and walk for a little. My workouts are only about 20 min and don't consist of very much running. Although it is discouraging to back off from training, I have to admit I don't have heel pain or shin splints anymore. My feet and calves are sore, but that's just proof that I'm strengthening those muscles.

Always forward.

Soreness Strikes

I woke up this morning and found that my ankles and calf's were VERY sore. This was to be expected with my new barefoot running strategy. Although I was going to try and run today, I'm going to back off and take some Advil and run on Saturday instead. I'm not running very far, since I'm experimenting with barefoot running, which is a little discouraging because I'm not getting a very intense workout. So, I need to focus on diet throughout these next few weeks.

I notice over last few weeks that I've been getting extreme stomach bloating and even cramping after I eat meals that are high in carbs. I've done some internet research and think I might be sensitive to gluten. I'm going to work on cutting out gluten ingredients for a awhile and see if I start feeling better.

Take Your Shoes OFF

Last night I had the opportunity to go to a Born to Run event at Penn States Great Valley's Campus. Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run, spoke for an hour about his experience writing the book. I had a chance to meet and talk with Chris before his talk. I explained to him that I was a former competitive swimmer and new to running. I tolled him I was experiencing all types of running injuries from heel pain, shin splints, sore ankles and knees...he said "Wow, you have it all! Have you gone barefoot?" I said I hadn't experimented with barefoot running, but I had recently bought Nike Free shoes. He tolled me the best thing I can do for my running is "take your shoes OFF."

He's been running barefoot since writing this book and is completely cured of all running aliments. During his speech I sat next to Dr. Irene Davis, from the Running Injury Clinic, who tolled me she is now running 20 miles a week barefoot and said I have to give it a try. She explained it's important to start slow: "Run barefoot for a quarter of a mile and then put your shoes back on and run the rest of your distance. Every week, increase your barefoot distance and decrease your shoe distance."

Now that I am convinced running barefoot will help me rediscover my natural running form I went outside today and ran around the block barefoot. It felt a little silly, especially when a car drove by, or I passed by someone walking their dog, but it felt nice and easy.

After my trip around the block, I went inside and put my Nike Free shoes back on and ran a little. My foot strike was completely different and I continued to run mimicking my barefoot stride. Dr. Davis said to expect some soreness as you strengthen the muscles in your feet so it is crucial to go slow in the beginning.

Chris said for most of his runs he goes completely barefoot, but when it's colder outside during the winter he wears Vibram Five Fingers. I'm going to stick with my Nike Free's for now, but the Vibram shoes (well, more like gloves for your feet) are pretty neat.

This event was both reassuring and inspiring!

LIVESTRONG

Today I ran in my new Nike Free shoes again. This time I ran for 1 min 30 seconds, and walked for 2 min. I repeated this pattern 6 times. It doesn't feel like the workouts I'm used to, but my legs and feet need this progression to get used to this running technique.

I also started using the LIVESTRONG calorie counter application on my ipod. It helps to record what I'm eating and the amount of calories.

Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run, is speaking tomorrow at Penn State Great Valley's Campus. I can't wait to hear him talk since I just finished his book a few days ago.

New shoes

Now that I have been convinced "barefoot" style running is the way to go, I went out and bought a pair of Nike Free 5.0 shoes. They have a thinner sole that encourages running with a mid-heel strike rather than a heel-strike.

Unfortunately, by changing shoes I am also forced to cut back on my training. Running in these shoes uses muscles in my feet and legs that I wasn't using before. I made the mistake of trying to run 2 miles on Saturday when I got these shoes, instead of easing into this new running philosophy. I paid for it with extreme soreness. Today I did 8 sets of walking for 1.5 min and running for 1 min. Although this is a huge step back in training, I think once I build back up my distance in these shoes I can avoid all of the painful shin splints, knee & heel pain, and leg fatigue I was experience with the heel-toe running method and cushy shoes.

SUGAR ATTACK

I don't know what has come over me. I just sprayed an entire can of whipped cream into my mouth! This is shameful. My diet is once again suffering. I've been feeling bloated and gross lately. I need to keep myself in check and not make sooo many bad choice when it comes to meals. I've been snacking a lot lately, and those calories are adding up fast through out the day. ugh. I just can't seem to keep those sugar cravings at bay. Sugar is my drug of choice and I'm undeniably addicted to it.

Plan of action: sugar attacks are coming at night. I should head to bed earlier and close down the kitchen so I can avoid these binges. Also, I'm eating mindlessly in front of the TV. I need remove all distractions during meals and eat consciously.

Less is more

Inspired by Born to Run's "less is more" approach to running, I decided to chuck ALL 3 of my shoe inserts (yes, I have three!), along with my ipod, watch, and nike+ sensor and JUST RUN as naturally as possible.

It not only felt less painful running, but it was fun and enjoyable! Who knew running could be like this? At one point in my run I took my shoes off and ran in my socks!!!

I'm not sure how long or how far I ran, but it felt easy. Because most running shoes encourage the heel-toe motion, after getting rid of all the STUFF I began to run hitting mid-foot rather than on my heel (the way we are supposed to run). I was also more in tune with my body and the ground now that I had no music or other gadgets to distract me. It was liberating.

Reading and Running

On Tuesday morning I set out to run 3 miles. My endurance has improved a lot since I first started running, but my heels and left shin are in a lot of pain during and after my runs. I wake up in the morning barely able to walk. I've been icing and taking alieve, but the pain keeps reoccurring.

I found out that author Christopher McDougal, who wrote the best-selling book Born to Run, is coming to speak at Penn State Great Valley's campus. I had not read the book, but had seen the title a few time during some Google searches for running books. I downloaded it on my Kindle and started reading it a few days ago. It is fantastic! I'm about half-way through the book, and I can't wait to here him speak on January 20th.

5 miles?

I'm reading a book called The NonRunner's Marathon Trainer and they have a training schedule that I'm trying to follow. This past week I've followed the schedule of 3 miles, 4 miles, 3 miles....and then Sunday's run was supposed to be 5 miles! I went out for my run on Sunday morning and ran until my Nike+ watch said 5 miles. I was a little suspicious that I didn't actually run 5 miles because it didn't take me as long as I thought it would. I drove the route in my car and discovered that it was only 4.2 miles, not 5 miles. Although 4.2 miles is a good distance for me, I'm a little disappointed that my watch is off by so much! I need to calibrate it again and check it for accuracy more often.

This is a great book. It takes a conservative and safe approach to training. I'm finding it very helpful as I increase my mileage.
Today, is a day off. I'm going to look for a track where I can calibrate my watch!

Another day, another 3 miles

I ran 3 miles on Friday. It felt easy and painless. I feel like my conditioning is getting better. My diet needs a little help. I'm struggling to keep the sugar cravings at bay. Late night eating and snacking when I'm bored (and not hungry) is reeking havoc.

Hello 4 miles

I did it! I ran 4 miles today. It was exhausting, but the accomplishment of finishing it felt great. I hit a wall around 2.8 miles, but I pushed through it and that feeling faded by 3.5 miles. This is my longest run to date. I thought it was important to reward myself with hot chocolate.

I still haven't gotten on the scale, but my diet has been going well (minus the hot chocolate from today). I've been keeping track of my calorie intake and I'm cutting back on snacking in between meals. 3 square meals a day seems to be working well.

Back to 3 miles

I ran a strong 3 miles today. It feels good to be back at 3. My goal is get to 4 by the end of the week. It's freezing outside so I'm going to look into a gym membership so I can run on a treadmill (preferably one that has a TV).

I've been warming up and stretching a lot more than I usually do, and it seems to be helping my running performance.

I haven't checked my weight in weeks! I'm going to try and work up the courage to get on the scale tomorrow morning. I hope I've made progress, but I know my recent holiday indulgences and lack of exercising recently may take its toll on the scale.

1 step forward, 2 steps back

I ran 2 miles today in an attempt to get back on my running schedule. It went well. I ran comfortably with little or no pain. It's not the 4 miles I was hoping for, but it will do. I did a longer warm up today than usual. I did some light stretching before running and also a 5 min power walk. I might have to take longer warm ups into consideration from now on because my "head out the door and start running" approach isn't working. I've been using my new watch and I really like it. It keeps track of Time, Pace, Calories, and Mileage.

2 miles today.

Also, I'm adding Don't take myself so seriously to my New Year's resolution List.