Author Archives: Bruno Runs

First Barefoot Run

By Bruno Runs | Published: January 10, 2010

When all else fails, try running barefoot! Well not really. Since my completed marathon, I, like many other people, have suffered from a few nagging injuries. I’m not really sure what caused them, or if it had anything to do with my actual marathon, or the shoes I was wearing, or just plain stupidity on my part.

But the truth is, I’m injured for really the first time in my adult life. After a month of moping, a visit to the good doctor, and 3 or 4 books read, I finally decided to start at ZERO and try this thing called Barefoot Running. Not sure if this is the answer to all my problems, but with ITBS on my left knee, tendentious in the right knee, foot aches, and PF possible creeping into my left foot, I am willing to stick a toe in and see if the water is warm.

A little about me: My Name is Chris Bruno and I live in Bethesda, Maryland, right outside of Washington, DC, Capital of the United States on Planet earth, Milky Way Galaxy.   I’ve been running since before high school recreationally, and over the years, used running as a way to stay in shape along with weight lifting and playing sports.  Since I was 18, I’ve been playing in a touring rock and roll band as a full time job (barley getting through college) and have always used running as consistent form of exercise.  

In late 2008, a few unrelated incidents and people led me believe that in October 2009, I would run my first marathon. Beginning in the spring, running and training became a full time focus for me and I fell into a nice routine and schedule.  My goal was the Marine Corps Marathon on October 25th.  After hundreds of miles training, 4 or 5 books read, and all the advice I could take, I finished the 26.2 mile race 10 seconds under 4 hours.  Woopie!!!

I was so excited and was hooked for life.  Only 3 short weeks later I couldn’t run more than 2 miles without pain that I had never experienced before.  For the month of November and December I hobbled around hurt searching for a better way until reading the book “Born To Run” in almost one sitting.  Between that, online forums, and a high support for Barefoot running on the web, my mind and body were ready.

The concept is simple. We were born to run barefoot, with natural form and a natural gate. Humans have been running barefoot, or in very minimal materials for many more years than Nike has been cashing checks. (they certainly have enough of my money) I have decided to take the plunge and have spent the last 3 weeks, walking around, running in place, and doing as much as I can completely Barefoot.  Now that I have spent some time acclimating myself, I am off to really run sans shoes.  

So to conclude, I ran today for the first time outside and Barefoot. Following a strict plan, I ran only .125 miles, walking a little bit before and after. Doesn’t sound like much, but since my foot has been coopedup in a soft shoe for the last 28 years, it’s going to take a while to fully strengthen the feet, toughen the soles, and eventually run a race wearing my birthday shoes. I ran an 11:30 mile pace with about 175 steps per minuet cadence. Took me a whopping 1:25, not quite a work out. My feet ARE talking to me though.

Call me crazy, I’ll love it! If I fail miserably, call me stupid.

Cheers, Bruno

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Week 1: So Far So Good

By Bruno Runs | Published: January 16, 2010

Wet, Cold, Rocky, Wierd…but my legs feel great!!! 3 runs down, .75 miles covered.  I can say that so far that these small distances are just what the doctor ordered.  I am not quite sure if anything has been “cured” since my 3 weeks off and now beginning Barefoot, but I haven’t had any of the usual pain.  I guess that’s good for any distance at the moment.

Things are different though.  I now know what it is like to NOT heal strike. It’s been very brief but I am convinced that I am running quite differently than before.  All three “runs” this week were quite slow and my feet are not quite used to the sidewalks and small parts of the road yet.  I feel all the rocks, but I am able to lift off of them when I feel my foot on them.  

To sum up, I don’t feel like I am using my legs as much as my body to run.  I’m interested in Chi Running that has been recommended by many people.  I’ve read some articles on the web and seen some videos. I’ve been trying to incorporate the whole idea all at once.  It’s a lot to concentrate on.  I had to travel this week to Iowa, Chicago and Michigan so one of my last run was in 14 degree snowy weather.  Definitely not recommended.  The 3 men repairing the hotel sign looked at my like I was a terrorist.  How often do you see a guy running barefoot off an Iowa interstate rest stop in 14 degree weather with light flurries.  TODAY!

Cheers, Bruno

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Week 2: Progressing

By Bruno Runs | Published: January 24, 2010

2.63 Miles in 3 runs.  I am following a pretty strict plan of increasing by 1/8th of a mile every run and added .75 miles of VFF’s to my last run because of how cold it was.  This week was even colder than last week.  I am not quite outside long enough to get frozen but it’s not very comfortable.  I feel like I am having a bit of a problem working on my form because I am so uncomfortable and my feet are cold.  

The positive is that my feet are getting much more used to acting like shoes.  I’ve been continuing my barefoot walking around and doing all my other workouts BF and when I go out I am wearing Vibram Five Fingers as much as possible.  

I am so antsy about increasing milage but I am sticking to a gradual progression which is the key according to just about everyone I’ve consulted on the subject.  Praying for warmer weather.  

Cheers, Bruno

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Week 3: Ouches to Oooohs

By Bruno Runs | Published: January 30, 2010

3 more runs this week.  .89, 1, and 1.13 miles.  2 miles total all Barefoot.  

This week was full of ouches and tip toeing around debris everywhere in the road. I was a little upset with my performance in the first 2 runs, but had a “break out” run on Friday that had to be celebrated with 1 or 7 beers that night at a local watering hole.  

It only took that 13 minutes to convince me that I was doing the right thing after 3 awkward weeks. It was like realizing that the woman you were set up to marry by your parents is actually cool and you might, just might be able to love her. 

There was one specific point also that made me realize my progress. In the previous 8 runs, whenever I went to turn a corner or make a slight shift from straight, my feet we so sensitive that I had to do a quick step move to avoid pain.  On friday, I took a corner like Dale Earnhadrt and it didn’t feel any different than my usual course.  Week 3 mission accomplished. 

Cheers, Bruno

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Week 4: ITBS is back…OH NO!!!

By Bruno Runs | Published: February 7, 2010

I’ve gone from Feast to Famine in the matter of 48 hours.  After my breakthrough last week, I feel that my concentration has really fallen off. This Monday, I went out for a 1.25 mile run and right around the 1 mile mark I began to feel my old antagonist ITBS creeping back into my left knee area.

Now don’t take me for an idiot. I knew when switching last month to Barefoot running that my injuries wouldn’t go away like magic, but until this point I haven’t felt a twinge of real pain.  What I believe to be the problem is that even though I am running with a better midfoot strike, I am still over striding and that might be the issue with my ITBS.

My 1.25 mile run on Monday was followed  by 5 hours of internet research on how to get rid of this ITBS forever.  Here is what I am now attempting.  Hip stretches, Glute stretches, Glute strengthening, icing, foam and tennis ball rolling.  I’ve bought the book Chi Running and will be reading it throughout this dooms day snow storm we are having here in DC.  

I attempted a second run on Wednesday using the knowledge I gained from my research and I was able to make it a mile without any real pain, but I could still feel a trace of ITBS.  Since the snow has kept me inside, I am keeping with my stretches and exercises every day until we thaw out and I can test my form again.  

THIS SUCKS!!! 2.25 miles all Barefoot, all unsuccessful 

Cheers, Bruno

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Week 5: Out of the Blizzard comes Sunshine

By Bruno Runs | Published: February 14, 2010

Washington DC was hit with 30+ inches of snow last weekend, but after 3 days of being couped up inside worrying about my injured legs and drink many liquids not meant for the body, I decided to brave the Monday sun and attempt a run.  Where I live, the grounds keepers do an excellent job of shoveling and clearing the sidewalks and with just enough sun shine I decided to put my feet on the frozen ground and test my boundaries.

I went from doorstep to one end of the sidewalk to the steps up to the parking lot once without any pain and decided to make another lap or 2.  At .16 miles, each lap became easier and easier till I looked down at my watch and saw that I had run over a mile and had no ITBS pain and felt good enough to finish another half mile.  It wasn’t warm or brilliant but I made 1.5 miles and celebrated my legs good fortune. 

I took another attempt Thursday on the same .16 mile track and pulled off another 1.63 miles.  Saturday before my trip south to Harrisonburg, VA I logged an additional 1.75 miles totaling 4.88 for the week.

I can’t explain how happy I was to feel like being over the hump.  Now if I could only do something about this weather we’d be in business.  Also since everyone is snowed in, I think the secret about running barefoot has been revealed.  I do enjoy the interest from my neighbors and I hope they don’t get too skeptical of my ways. I’ve already told my store 12 times or so, now it’s time to concentrate on running.

Cheers, Bruno

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Week 6: Soooo Cold

By Bruno Runs | Published: February 20, 2010

Now that I am back on track (at least I hope) I am progessing well but I can’t complain enough about the cold on my feet. I’ve read about plenty of people that are running barefoot in the snow and on mountains, but this guy is having a bit of difficulty.  I was in Atlanta, GA this week for Rock and Roll shows and it was 40 degrees.  The entire country is turning into an ice burg.  

Today I asked myself if maybe I started too early, maybe I might need to hold out for spring, but then I said screw it and laced up tolerance and stepped across the threshold.  Valentines Day and Fat Tuesday have come and gone and I am committed to at least make it to St. Patrick’s day without complaining again.  

I signed up for a 5k in Baltimore, MD 4 weeks from now and plan on running this completely Barefoot.  This week I ran 6 full miles and I am approaching the 3.1 mark quicker than I imagined.  Long live New Orleans and 180 steps per minuet cadence.

Cheers, Bruno

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Week 7: 3.1 Miles and Chi Running

By Bruno Runs | Published: February 28, 2010

I had the entire week off (not the best time for a stay at home vacation) but I used it wisely as it pertained to my running.  This week I really focussed on my stretching, exercises and I bought the book Chi Running.  Now I know that nothing is the end all be all and everyone is different, but I belive this book (and technique) have a lot to offer.  

I read Chi Running cover to cover in one day and because implementing some of the “focuses” into my 3 runs this week.  Having techniques to concentrate on were super helpful.  Before I was really just running barefoot with advice from forum members and web pages. Although the aformentioned advice was helpful, this book gave me a few major things to think about as I trotted down and back through my parkinglots and sidewalks.

While working on my Chi Running I was blessed with a warm clear day that rejuvenated my whole outlook on running. In this awesome moment I decided to break bit from the “plan” and finished 3.1 miles at the end of the week instead of the planned 2.5.  I finished with 8.35 miles, slowly progressing twords being a real life Barefoot runner. Now that I have completed a 5k in training, I feel pretty good about my upcoming race. 

As far as Chi Running goes, I am going to work on it every week and begin to really understand the technique of running, not just flailing my arms and legs around till I end up back at my house with out blisters or blood hopefully.  I also think it’s time for Happy Hour, and maybe a Happy Day after that!

Cheers, Bruno

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Week 8: Some issues, but 4 runs

By Bruno Runs | Published: March 7, 2010

I started this week happy from my success in completing a 5k earlier than my race next week. I was also excited because out of the gates, the week was looking to be warmer and that lifted my spirits.  My first run was just about perfect but I noticed at the end that my right calf was a bit more sore. I couldn’t quite put a finger on what caused it but it seemed to be a glaring problem as it continued to feel tight the rest of the week and no amount of stretching was going to help it.

I ran 3 more times this week included an inpromptu .75 mile run after getting out of my car one day and feeling so good about the clean warm day.  This proved to be my best run of the week regarding pain.  Regarding distance, my Sunday run was a 4-miler and I couldn’t have been happier to know that my body was holding up just fine with the milage increase or was it??

Along with the calf soreness my ITB problem came back into play a bit during my last 2 runs.  I am sure it is a form thing and I am vowing to go slower next week and really work out my issues.  During some parts of my runs I can feel the sweet spot of form, but many things have been changing that for me like debris, weather, unkept sidewalks etc. I am also having a hard time finding smooth surfaces to run on where I am not clinching in pain every 20 steps.  

Overall for the week I ran 11.5 miles in 4 runs. I am happy with this, but I hoping for better form next week leading up to my 5k in Baltimore, MD. I feel like I am at the major point of this BFR becoming more mental than pure physical adaptation.  

Cheers, Bruno

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Week 9: St. Patrick’s Day 5K

By Bruno Runs | Published: March 14, 2010

This week went quite well. Total milage was 12.1 and on Sunday I ran the Charm City St. Patty’s Day 5k in Baltimore MD, Barefoot. 

I began running completely and solely Barefoot on January 10th, 2010. Since then I have followed the 1/8th of a mile up to 3 miles and then the 10% rule up until last Thursday when I ran my furthest distance of 4.5 miles. 2 months in, my feet feel great and my form continues to improve every day. I thought singing up for this 5k would be a bit ambitious, but it turned out to be a great success.

Since I had already done 3.1, I wasn’t too worried about the distance, but more about the course. Amazingly enough, the streets of Baltimore were so smooth and BF friendly I actually spent less time dodging debris and more time running. My biggest obstacle was dancing around people and concentrating on keeping my form up with all the “attention.”

So I wore my VFF’s to the start, 15 minutes before the gun, I disrobed and left my stuff with the GF. The comments began in a flutter. All good, but plenty of questions even at the start line. I felt good defending our running choice and felt like I was educating along the way.

The race was hardly that. 4,500 people in a 5K was more like a drunk green party than a race. I of course started back in the pack not to be ambitious. Up until this point, with all my road hazards at home and fear of re-injury, i haven’t zenthed the 10 minute mile. Since the begging was a party I did the first .2-.3 miles in about 10:30 min miles with the pack and finished the last 2.9 miles at an 8:57 a mile pace. (i laped myself after the first wave of almost walkers was behind me) I basicly broke loose, felt the form and let go. It was a blast.

I finished overall with a time of 29:27 which was 9:28 miles. I wasn’t even shooting for a good time, but I was very happy with my pace overall.

Comments: oh so many. As I passed many people (a product of being so far back in the field) I heard the entire spectrum of comments. Only one couple ran beside me for a spell asking me some questions, truly interested.

Overall it was a great race.  This race game me so much inspiration, I can’t wait to get back out and do another race. I’ve already scheduled a 10k for late April, but I have the itch now.

Long Live Barefoot Runners!

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