Running like a kid

Now I love to run, it's refreshing and it's meditative for me.  Plus I like to challenge myself, unfortunately as of lately and by lately I mean the past couple of years, running has begun to suck. And it always leads to knee pain.  So when I heard about barefoot running, my first thought was impossible, which instantly made me want to go out and do it. But knowing my feet, I knew it was going to be a challenge.  My feet are way to sensitive, I could barely step on a marsh-mellow with out having an adverse reaction.  Then I learned of minimalist shoes.  I did my research and I settled on these Vibram Five Fingers Trek Sports

Goofy! Believe me I know but I was draw to the idea of running free, but with a little protection.  Now I've read enough to know you just can't jump in 'barefoot', to say, that you have to take it slow.  And I did for about three weeks. Trust me it wasn't my choice, after every run my calf muscles felt like they were tuned with piano wire, and not to mention the tingling in the soles of my feet, because I almost ran my skin raw.  I figured after a few good SHORT runs, that I'd be able to progress further. Progress I did, normally my knees are screaming after a mile and by mile two I just try to ignore it and keep going.  Well on this particular day I was flying! In fact I did 4.5 miles without losing my breath or even breaking a good sweat.  I was ready to run another 4.5 or hell I might just try to run a half marathon, and then the school bus came by.  Seriously a school bus pulled in front of me and I had to stop running, and thats when I noticed the burn, seriously I felt like parts of my feet were burning, because they were.

Sorry I know that might be a bit disturbing to see, but at least you could take comfort in not having to feel them.  BLISTERS!!!! And holy shit do they hurt.  I can't tell you how many times I've read the phrase..."Let your skin be your coach", well it didn't matter because I didn't listen, but I will now...

To make a long, gross, boring story short I learned the hard way on how to take baby steps. First and foremost I had to take care of my feet and not just blisters, but bones, tendons, ligaments and SKIN.

New Plan of Attack;

That's me the next day, bandaged and busted feet, but I have a plan.  I walk my dog a lot, so I figured what if I go barefoot during those walks, maybe that will help me toughen up the tread on my feet. 

I most definitely hit a road block to a barefoot life but I promise that I'm not going to stop until it isn't fun or I give up caring about my old canoes. I'll keep you posted on how its going and I hope I don't have to post anymore tragic photos of my gnarly feet.

Baby Steps.

Oh and don't worry if you are one of the few people who actually read this, and prefer my stupid random thoughts I'll continue to post those too, I have a great idea about a garbage can!