Comments on: Running barefoot: Dipping your toe

By: Carolina dreamin’ on a winter’s day … | GetGoing NC!

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:22:46 +0000

[...] offers unless you’re in shorts and a sweaty t-shirt. (And, to a growing number of runners, no [...]

By: JoeMiller

JoeMiller — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:44:08 +0000

Alas, I only found discovered that it's RIGHT NOW late yesterday (via a release from the Triangle Transit Authority stating they were altering routes as a result of the KKC) and have other plans. And yeah, that's definitely not an event you want to do barefoot. I'm guessing the N&O will cover it, and there are some former N.C. State Technician photogs who usually do a great job of covering the race in graphic detail. I'd start Googling "Krispy Kreme Challenge 2010" later this afternoon for coverage.

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:45:07 +0000

Hey Joe-

This is hardly about running barefoot…just wondering if you’ll be posting something about today’s Krispy Kreme challenge. A unique event, to say the least.

By: JoeMiller

JoeMiller — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:37:35 +0000

Lifts, not landings. I’ll try that tomorrow.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:07:53 +0000

Instead of focusing on the landing, focus on the lifting. If you count your cadence, count the lifts not the landings. If your feet are underneath your torso, you’ll land with the mid-foot naturally.

Me, not a fan of this weather. This guy would be all over it, though:
http://www.barefootrunner.org/

Shoveling (in boots) was my long run today.

By: JoeMiller

JoeMiller — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:52:01 +0000

With three kids, I frequently find myself jogging in place outside the bathroom. Seriously, though … .

Today was not a good day to run barefoot in the Triangle — cold rain with intermittent slush. So I ran for 35 minutes in shoes, but concentrated on landing on my forefoot. On uphills and even slight inclines it was easy, in fact, it’s seemed counterintuitive to land on my heels. The flats required more concerted effort, the downhills more so.

I was surprised by how quickly my body adapted to the new style, and even more surprised by how effortless it seemed. In “Born to Run,” Chris McDougall’s running coach tells him that if his running feels hard, he’s not running correctly. In addition to being more effortless, I noticed that a forestrike caused me to pitch forward slightly, thereby improving my posture and making it easier to breathe. I’m guessing that’s part of what made the run seem easier as well.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:34:45 +0000

AAAAAAARRRGGGGHHH! Not football fields!!!

Ahem. Sorry, I’m part pirate.

Seriously, though, if you want to run lightly it MUST HURT to hit the ground hard. If it doesn’t hurt to land hard, you’ll land hard. The whole barefoot-ending-injury-thing relies on learning how to eliminate all thudding, skidding, jolting, and jogging. That’s why hard surfaces are best. Barefooters have been singing the praises of concrete and asphalt for years, but for some reason no one hears the tune.

Try jogging barefoot in place in the bathroom or kitchen. Somewhere if you land hard it will be noisy. Jog in place as quietly as you can. Presto! You now have a new insight into one of the objectives of a barefoot runner.

As far as self-awareness goes, trust me. You’re never more self (and sole)-aware than when you’re standing, barefoot, on a hard surface, about to run. When you try it for the first time, you feel EVERYTHING. It’s a little overwhelming, but your feet keep you in check from doing too much.

Lastly, this barefooter thinks competition is fun. Almost as fun as long, rambling, blog commenting.

By: Running barefoot: Dipping your toe | GetGoing NC!

Running barefoot: Dipping your toe | GetGoing NC! — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:57:55 +0000

[...] the original post here: Running barefoot: Dipping your toe | GetGoing NC! Posted in Barefoot | Tags: a-study-appearing, Barefoot, journal, last-week, may-help, nature-, [...]