I’ve had a complete mental block about writing my thoughts for this book.  I’ve procrastinated nonstop.  And to be honest even after all this time, I still haven’t finished the last chapter. (I started this book in early January!)

I have this book in audio version on my iPod.  I’ve also borrowed the hard copy from the library.  Twice.

The book obviously hit home with me on a few levels, as it convinced me to start barefoot running and I have been raving about this type of running to all who’ll listen.  I now own my own Vibram FiveFingers, MSP just got a pair (they arrived last night) and my friend Scott also got a pair.  One of my coworkers has been running in his socks now on his treadmill thanks to all my raving!

But something about the book as a WHOLE did not grab me.  The chapters alternate between telling the story of the Tarahumara people (who are really fantastic runners) and the story of author’s own experience with trying to heal some running injuries and his journey to barefoot running.   I found the flip-flopping between the two stories caused me to lose interest.  I think I was looking for more of a “how to” and “why” for barefoot running, and less “play by play” commentating on the ultramarathons he attended.

I don’t feel I’d give a fair review if I tried simply because I’ve started and stopped so many times.  So I’ll tell you what I liked about it.

Overall, I do think it’s worth reading if you have any interest in barefoot running OR interest in running for the JOY of it. I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘scientific’ chapters.   The gist of it is that as humans we truly are built to RUN.  Our bodies have evolved to make us good runners.  And there’s a lot of discussion about how with all of today’s fancy shoe technology, we’ve basically weakened the supportive structure of our feet and lower legs.

My favorite part of the book comes in chapter 25 when the author is discussing said technological advances in fancy running shoes:

… the impact on your legs from running can be up to twelve times your body weight so it’s preposterous to believe a half inch of rubber is going to make a bit of difference… You can cover an egg with an oven mitt before rapping it with a hammer, but that egg ain’t coming out alive.

Of all the words in the book, THAT is what stuck with me!  Not only did it make me laugh out loud, it really gave me something to think about.  Changing my footstrike to lessen shock of impact for one.  The fact that I don’t need $110 Nike SHOX.   Also, that I don’t need to get new running shoes every 300-500 miles.  I even dug out an OLD pair of worn trail shoes for the last long run we did, because I wanted LESS support so that I could run a bit more like I would if I was barefootin’ it.

Like the Tarahumara, run for the fun of it.  Stop worrying about what your numbers are, how fast you’re running, etc.  Basically slow down and smell the roses.  (Don’t stop and smell the roses, because then you aren’t RUNNING anymore!)

My most enjoyable runs are those where I’m focused on chatting with my running pals and the scenery around me, and less on keeping a certain pace.  Which is why training for a long event like a marathon is troublesome for me (but that’s a whole other post for sure!)

If you’d like to learn more about barefoot running, here are some links to articles and sites I’ve enjoyed.

Harvard University Footstrike Studies and Videos

Wired Article:  To Run Better, Start by Ditching Your Nikes

WebMD Article on Barefoot Running

TrueSlant/Running Shorts Blog Article by Matt Frazier of No Meat Athlete (one of my fave blogs)

If you are currently a runner (or if you’re not and want to start), I’d like to challenge you to grab a pair of old socks that you don’t mind getting filthy and run on the treadmill.  Notice how your gait changes in order to land softly.  Then try to tell me you didn’t have a little grin on your face!  I think it’s hard not to feel childlike when I’m running around without ‘real’ shoes on!

(Trust me when I say START SMALL!  You WILL feel your calves so keep the mileage low at first!)  Then come back here to FitFeat and tell us how it went! 

Have a fantastic day friends!  Make it a FIT one!

– Shari B. =)

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Sorry to disappear on you yesterday.  Tues/Thurs are my BIZ-EEEE days and I had two additional pieces of fun in my Thursday that kept me away from the computer.

One was a visit from one of my all time best buds after she got off of work, where we polished off about 3/4 bottle of our favorite Riesling and jibber-jabbered non-stop for two and a half hours.  It was such a wonderful time.

The other exciting thing on Thursday was my little brother and his wife welcomed their second baby into the world!  Unfortunately I live 1300 miles from them, so I won’t be seeing Baby #2 anytime soon.  Thank goodness for webcams!    I was really hoping the new baby would wait until next Wednesday so that we could share a birthday, but she must have been in a hurry to meet her big sister sooner!

Speaking of birthday, MSP wanted to share with me what my gift would be a little early because it would require some ‘trying on for size’ before he could order the actual gift.  That got me curious!

In addition to reading “Born to Run“ currently, Matt from No Meat Athlete has inspired me to want to give barefoot running a go.

MSP heard that and decided to gift me with some VIbram Five Fingers!  SO EXCITED!!!

Image from Vibram FiveFingers

In anticipation of the arrival of my new fitness ‘gadgets’ I decided to get a head start on Wednesday.  Barefoot running is something you must start SLOWLY because all that running around in my fancy Nike SHOX will have changed my gait and most likely weakened some of the supportive structure of my lower legs and feet.

I did intervals of a different sort on the treadmill this time:  shoes on, shoes off, socks on, socks off, shoes and socks back on, shoes off, etc.

I did 3 miles, about two of which were ‘shoeless’.

OK, first:  holy calves of fire, Batman!  Not so much DURING as much as the days following.  I have some DOMS going on in my calves the way I figure I would if I did 1000 sets of heavy calf raises.  You should see me trying to walk DOWN a set of stairs.  Comical.

Second, it was so FUN!  You feel so much ‘lighter’ on your feet, almost springy because it truly forces you into a completely different gait.  Apparently I’m a heavy ‘heel-slapper’ in shoes and that just won’t work barefoot.  You need to be more onto the balls of your feet, while still letting your heels come down lightly.

Afterward, I did about 15 minutes of deep yoga stretching because I knew my legs were going to need it.

Then yesterday I did another 30 minutes of yoga, including a LOT of downward dogs to hit those calves a bit.

I won’t be using my new “unshoes” during the marathon, because I don’t think there’s enough time to safely transition to that distance.  But I definitely plan to use them as much as my calves will allow during my shorter training runs.  Maybe the marathon after this one…

And I have to give props to our good friend Bo, because he had FiveFingers YEARS ago before they were trendy.  And I think I remember teasing him about his crazy looking shoes.   Bo, I’m eating my words now and you can tease me all you want to get me back! 

Today’s question:  Any barefoot running ‘aficionados’ out there? Read “Born to Run”?

Friends, have a FANTASTIC Friday!  I’ll be back tomorrow sometime after my 9 MILE training run.  I really hope my calves stop crying before I head out or it will be a L-O-N-G 9 miles…

– Shari B. =)

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