:D Barefoot Running

[bfluc]

Cool

You might find out there that I think guys runners here are pretty cool.

[Terry the Tortoise]

So....how's everyone finding the barefoot/minimalistic experience?

[Twister]

So....how's everyone finding the barefoot/minimalistic experience?

Over a year in now, had a few niggles adjusting but I went from 3 months off running with an ankle problem to completing my first Ultra of 45 miles within 10 months. I put this down to many things. Apart from learning a more natural and lighter way of running, I also gained inspiration from reading Born to Run and found a new enjoyment in running.

I've stopped punishing myself with speed sessions now, I did make gains in the summer league, pushing my placing from mid pack to top twenty, but I started to find running a chore. Distance has been my saviour. Slow long runs off road, up mountains getting away from it all, travelling light over terrain I used to slog heavy packs over.

Minimalist running has not only been useful in re-building my weak muscles, my barefoot sessions put me in touch with the earth in a way (excuse me whilst I get a bit hippy on you all now) that I found spiritual, fulfilling and meaningful.

I plan to add more barefoot miles this year when it warms up a bit, for now I'm doing my recovery miles in VFF and the bulk of my training in X-talons and inov8 285's, I will be giving the new inov 8's with the zeroed sole a go this summer and I'm hoping to start to work my way up to a race in either VFF or (gasp) barefoot.

[nightingale]

Nice one Twister . I'm a way behind you . Started doing some running in the summer bare foot , but , now it's just too cold . At least it gave me chance to work out how I should be running . I too have changed my style and am finding the achillies problems are going away . I do most of my running in mudclaw 270s which I think are pretty minimal and very grippy . My mate has just given me a pair of 5 finger sprints (too small for him)that I will start to do a bit of flat stuff in . Also looking forward to Inov8s zeros .

My pal is running the Valleys race tomorrow in a pair of Treks . I've done some training runs with him and he seems to be getting enough traction but I think tomorrow will be the big tester . He ran the Half Peris with me in September in the sprints and he was slipping all over the place . A bit dangerous .

[Terry the Tortoise]

Over a year in now, had a few niggles adjusting but I went from 3 months off running with an ankle problem to completing my first Ultra of 45 miles within 10 months. I put this down to many things. Apart from learning a more natural and lighter way of running, I also gained inspiration from reading Born to Run and found a new enjoyment in running.

I've stopped punishing myself with speed sessions now, I did make gains in the summer league, pushing my placing from mid pack to top twenty, but I started to find running a chore. Distance has been my saviour. Slow long runs off road, up mountains getting away from it all, travelling light over terrain I used to slog heavy packs over.

Minimalist running has not only been useful in re-building my weak muscles, my barefoot sessions put me in touch with the earth in a way (excuse me whilst I get a bit hippy on you all now) that I found spiritual, fulfilling and meaningful.

Hey Twister, you're journey sounds pretty much like mine!
Running bf (or VFF through winter) really does put you in touch with nature and your own body. I still go back to the trusty X-Talons for racing and really technical terrain but hope to go "naked" in the future.
The main thing other people have noticed is that I've always got a big smile on my face when I'm running now

[Inov-8 Insider]

Hey Twister, you're journey sounds pretty much like mine!
Running bf (or VFF through winter) really does put you in touch with nature and your own body. I still go back to the trusty X-Talons for racing and really technical terrain but hope to go "naked" in the future.
The main thing other people have noticed is that I've always got a big smile on my face when I'm running now

Terry
maybe the reason you have a big smile on your face is because the wind is gently blowing n caressing your naked parts

[nightingale]

Terry
maybe the reason you have a big smile on your face is because the wind is gently blowing n caressing your naked parts

LOL

[Derby Tup]

Interesting article in this week's Observer Sport Monthly magazine on barefooting

I've not run in anything but 285s or Walsh PBs since last autumn and am looking forward to feeling some Dales grass under my feet soon

[Terry the Tortoise]

[QUOTE=Derby Tup;304306]Interesting article in this week's Observer Sport Monthly magazine on barefooting

Nice little article, here's the link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010...refoot-running

[Terry the Tortoise]

If anyone wants to "learn" how to run barefoot could try going on this course:

The Natural running Course

A lot of money for a weekend (can you really learn in 2 days?)