First Barefoot Run

Well, today I went up my old high school to run, it has a rubberized track that I figured would make my first try at barefoot running easier. It really did. There was some high school kid running too, I can only wonder what he thought of me (but I thought he was crazy, running in a sweater and long pants, it was at least 70 and sunny, on a black rubber track). Anyways, my feet were wonderfully black, and the old blisters on my heels gave me no problems, as they are mostly healed. Felt wonderful, you guys should try it (go slow, you really feel it in your calves...I'll probably not be able to walk tomorrow, haha)

 

That's the way to go man. Today in gym, we had to run a quarter of a mile for a warm-up. I had my shoes on, and I was one of the first running. A classmate caught me and challenged me; so I picked the pace up and used my extremely long legs to their potential and completely smoked him (heh, a smoker, smoking non-smokers...). I mean, I finished a good 10 seconds ahead of anyone else; I can run even faster without shoes. Running barefoot feels so wonderful... I happened to do so with some friends later during the day.

Keep it up; if it feels good, STOP! Nah, I'm just kidding, go ahead.

 

Yeah, the calves will let you know when you've put in the miles. But it's a real good feeling too knowing you're excercising your ankles arches knees and hips in a low impact natural way. Try running on a golf course or find a hiking trail that surrounds you with the wonders of spring. I hope you enjoy barefooting outdoors as much as I do. The beauty you'll come across will encourage you to go farther every day. Archie

 

Yeah, my calves are really feeling it today, work later is going to suck...


As far as running on golf courses, how am I gonna run when there's golf balls flying every which way?

 

try walking barefoot in very soft sand for several miles .. talk about calf burn.

 

If golf balls are flying every which way you are in big trouble and they are very bad golfers! An Ibuprophin can help with the pain but potasium in your diet should keep the cramps away. The burn in your calves should be looked at as a great feeling of accomplishment as you totaly eliminate any need for shoes. Way to go BTM !!!

 

I don't think they'd even let me on the course.

But yes, I don't mind the pain as much because I know its for a good cause. I was hoping it'd be gone today so I could run again, but it's not. Maybe it will lessen as I start moving and loosen up a bit (been sitting at the computer so far)

 

Before and after any kind of excercise it's important to warm up and do some stretching. Do a few calve raises and stretch with your heels below your toes also your hamstrings. Good flexability is a benefit of barefooting, ease into everything and as you loosen up push yourself to do better everyday. What kind of goals do you have? Give yourself time to attain them. Myself I'm looking for progress not perfection. I just want to enjoy barefooting. So some days I'll just hike otherdays I'll run alittle and hike a little. As long as I'm making progress and enjoying myself I'll keep at it. Back in Feb & Mar I got to the point where I enjoyed a lot of snowfooting, and found some cool trails with just enough distance to challenge me but remain enjoyable and safe from frostbite. Have fun BTM ... it's no worry if you don't run today. Archie

 

walking barefoot is very heatlhy , when your feet are in touch with the earth, ( it's more effective when you jump hard up and down) your first chakra will open and your roots will come together with the earth.

 

When I used to run in school, I'd always do it barefoot.
And I was always the fastest to do the mile, too.

 

I ran on a rubber track barefoot before...it felt great but the day after I had terrible blisters...I guess my feet weren't used to it. Running barefoot in soft grass is really nice though.

 

I love going barefoot;I have ever since I can remember. There's nothing like feeling mother earth--skin to skin!! Sometimes I'll get a comment like "where's your shoes" I'll say right back" Shoes are optional for me" smile and keep on walking. By the time winter rolls around, the bottom of my feet are like leather; glass doesn't penetrate at that point--and I've stepped in some before too. I don't shock my friends anymore going barefoot-----If I were TO wear shoes THAT would shock them. Barefoot forever-----Helen aka--sunshine