“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one”
Hans Selye
Let me begin by saying that I am certainly not trying to convert anyone else. This is about what works for me. It should come as no surprise that I am crossing over more and more to the other side. It certainly makes sense to me as I've always been attracted to what seems most natural in the grand scheme of things.
It all started when I bought new shoes and ended up hurting my knee. When I first saw Joseph, my PT, the first thing he did was have me run with no shoes on. You may remember that he was quite thrilled with my natural running form when I took my shoes off. The minute I put my shoes back on, things deteriorated. So, he suggested I get the most minimalist shoe I could find.
Enter my new Saucony Type A4
It took a while to transition to these new shoes and I discovered new muscles I didn't know existed in my calves, but I was loving this new way of running. My knee did improve and I was able to run my complete half-marathon in my new shoes last Sunday. However, I did start to feel some knee pain around the last 5K. I was probably quite tired by then and my form may have suffered. Then, by that evening and all day Monday, my knee was really sore when I bent it. I iced regularly and took it easy and by yesterday morning, all seemed much better again.
Two things happened this weekend that impacted today's run. First, someone mentioned on their blog that when they wear their Vibrams they sometimes go back to heel landing and that made me think that maybe I was more likely to lose form with my shoes, even though they are minimalist. Second, I am reading "Born to run" and you have no idea how often I am like "yeah!" "uhuh" "of course" nod nod nod :) ...SO. This morning I went for a run and after 2K my knee was starting to hurt...sigh. Hmmmm why not, may as well try. Off came the shoes and off I went, running barefoot on the street (well, I stuck to the white line of the bike trail cause the road was too bumpy). No knee pain...really? After only a short time, there was no more white line and so I put my shoes back on and walked home. Drove to the gym, took my shoes off and got on the treadmill. Did 5.2 miles before I felt it was best to give the ball of my foot a break. My knee sometimes felt tight, but mostly it felt fine and I have no lingering pain. Having learned proper technique with Joseph, my cadence is now quite naturally at 180 steps per minute and I couldn't believe how straight my back was and how my arms pumped without my even thinking about it. Another really cool thing that I hadn't noticed before is that I actually could breath with my mouth closed...I was not at all out of breath! I've fallen in love with this new running form and cadence and today I realized how much easier it is to control when I have no shoes on at all.
Obviously, if I don't want to be running on the treadmill all the time (considering winter is almost 10 months long here), I need to maintain my form with my Saucony's on. I figure if I do at least one of my weekly runs in my barefeet, then I hope my body will become better at remembering and maintaining this form when I have my shoes on.
Fingers crossed...Cheers!
31 comments:
Completely amazing.
YAY for you!!
I devoured Born to Run. And after the marathon I plan on completely overhauling the way I run/what I run in.
Good for you making the leap. My guess in the future it won't be a question of barefoot or not but most people will run both.
Good luck with the experiment, I hope you only have HAPPY results :).
Very, very cool. I'm VERY intrigued by barefoot running. Looking forward to seeing how it goes for you.
You and I are on the same page. The key for me was doing enough barefoot running to understand the "feel" and then translate that to running with shoes. One thing I have found is that doing core work is really helping me maintain better running form so I have more of a mid-sole strike when wearing shoes.
Very cool--I hope it works out for you!
GOod Luck! it really is an amazing feeling (running barefoot) for those who 'get it'!
I have heard that it is beneficial to include one barefoot run every week in order to "remember" your best form. So glad you have discovered this great new technique for running well!
Sounds great! I'm going to have to give it a go sometime, I can't see myself doing it outside but I'm really curious as to how it would affect me.
So glad you shared this! I started running about a month ago and have been having some knee pain. Well, it started in my knee while I was running and kind of worked its way up to my hamstring and even a little in my lower back by the next day. I think I run on the balls of my feet and wondered if barefoot would help in any way. I'm going to try it. Please keep us posted on how this is going for you.
How do you like the Saucony's? Do they run pretty true to size?
It sounds like you are finding the path you are supposed to take. Best of luck!
Looks like you're under control! Good luck!
My fingers are crossed!
I have often wondered about running barefoot - but I just don't know - obviously running on the treadmill would control the possibility of hitting a stone -
Sounds like you have a great idea to run once a week barefoot to keep in "touch" with your form and feet. Enjoy. I am signing up for your giveaway. Somehow I missed it. ;-(
Cool stuff ... too many converts!
P.S. Help me explain poutine to Americans.
That's awesome that your were able to run with such great form and for so far barefoot. But barefoot in the winter? Brr.
That is so interesting. What a cool thing to learn and I can tell from your post you are just elated. I hope it continues to work out positive and look forward to hearing more about it. Cheers!
Hey Anne,
wonderful, I find a mix of barefoot and shod works for me, build up slowly, listen to your body and you'll be fine, been experimenting with barefoot running for a few months now and it's been great. Good luck.
I think minimalist shoes are great...haven't tried barefoot yet but I might have to now...thanks for the post.
So glad things are working out...I am getting better with not needing such a supportive shoe but haven't delved into the barefoot thing... hmmm....
I really hope this works for you. I always say if something is not 100% you have to change your shoe or as in your case, get rid of the shoe. I am interested to see how barefoot will be over a long period of time (few years of running). I'm lucky and have been injury free for a few years now, so I will stay in my shoes.
I hope it works for you. Unfortunately, Plantar Fascitis holds me back. I love my Saucony Kinvaras, which comes a little bit close.
My feet are very excited for you.
So cool that you've got a primitive fix for your leg problems. Have fun!
Very cool that barefoot seems to be working with you. I think I'm going to have to go truly barefoot on the treadmill sometimes, in addition to my vibram running. Good luck!
amazing. id love to try something like that!
Absolutely amazing, I like barefoot running too they say it is healthy on foot, nice post anyway.
WOW! I guess minimal shoes or NO running shoes works best for you! I continue to be impressed with the advice Joseph gave you. :)
This is soooo interesting. And frankly, exactly what I wanted to read. I've been having some knee trouble, and I've also been debating converting to minimalism or even going completely barefoot, but wasn't sure if that would help or hurt my knee problems. I think I'm going to try this barefoot thing. Thanks so much for the inspiration!!
Way to try new things! And nice work on the half-marathon :)
I heard a lot 'bout this barefoot running, most of it are good reviews. Good luck for this! :)
great post! I also love Born to Run and own Vibram Fivefingers. What I noticed is that I can't run more than 3-4 miles in my Vibrams because of EXTREME calf activation (well, not if I want to walk the next day anyway). So I too searched for a minimalist racing flat and am now on my second pair of Saucony Type As - love the shoe! (hope you don't mind, but I'm borrowing the pic above of yours)
Post a Comment