Author Archives: Katy

Hi, my name is Katy.

I am 31. I have been running consistently for 2 years and here and there prior.

I currently am easing back into running after a metatarsal stress fx so my weekly mileage is much less than it was  or I would like it to be (about 10-15 mpw) now and was (30-35 mpw).

Primarily run on roads-asphalt, occasional dirt trails.

Flip- flops  about 1/4- 1/2 year…live in sunny so. cal. But not much solely BF, prior.

Injuries/problems= Ball of foot pain off/on, Hip injury(removed one orthotic and not the other…idiot!), Left foot= Metatarsal stress fx, neuroma and calcification of bone on 2nd toe.

Motion control shoes, cushioned/structured.

Heel-striker and overpronator

I feel like I’ve tried the heavy motion control/orthotic route and it did NOT help me. I never gave much thought to my form before, I was looking for a  perfect shoe or  assisted device to be the solution. After one test run of BF it just made sense…it is how your body was made to run. Why would I change it once in shoes. I want to work on changing my stride and form, I feel the best way to do it is by incorporating the BFR into my training.

I am a registered nurse.

First barefoot run.

This week- 8 miles total, Only 1 bf run, .25mile, asphalt, warm and sunny out.

I really was just curious, so I took off my shoes at the end of a run. Only about a 1/4 of a mile left till I was home, so I thought why not?

Wow, the asphalt is really rocky and rough without shoes! Quickly I realized I HAVE to run on my forefoot/midfoot and with quick short strides. Man this definitely did not feel pleasurable on my feet, yet something just felt right and so much better about my stride.

The reasons I decided to continue with this type of training was d/t some advice via Runners world’s forums. I reviewed the research and I just figured why not? It makes sense! As long as I take it slow and cautiously. Especially after coming back from an injury I had to go slow anyhow.

9 miles total, .5 mile Bf (only 1 run bf) on smooth asphalt and concrete, warm and sunny weather.

Went well, focused on form and did some walking in addition to my two runs in new nike free.

Realized how much better it felt to hit forfoot/midfoot, strange to me a little but less jolting on my joints and less tiring.

Total weekly mileage=15 about 1/2 in nike free

.5 mi BF x1 run

asphalt for all, some dirt. I am finding it easier to not heelstrike, finding it less jarring on my joints. Right inner shin pain, right inner heel, and rt knee all achy (think possible d/t overpronation/toe out much more on rt side). Mild TOFP starting.

Seemed when I shorten my stride it helped with pronation and some rt side leg issues.

Total running 6.5 miles, walking 5 miles all in nike free

BFR 1.25 x2 runs

asphalt and nice weather 60-70′s

definitely noticed when shorten my stride, bend knees more, focus on landing right foot straight and increase my cadence that my overpronation is more controlled and right leg issues seem to be MUCH better. TOFP present off/on swear that I have another stress fracturein my foot, and my calves are on FIRE.

The bottoms of my feet seem to be holding up well, a little tender  and more raw on forfoot but no real issues.

My form really feels so much better it seems natural, less jolting/bouncy, and I just feel so AWARE of what I am doing and all the flaws in my running before!

I truly am starting to see the light that my problems were definitely do to my form which I had never given to much thought till now…..because of being barefoot I am more aware of by body and of what it is doing.

15.25 total running miles, walking 3mi.   3/4 in nike free

1.75milesBF  x3runs (.75, .25, .75)

Asphalt and good weather 60-70′s

Mild tofp, did better with icing and definitely felt worse around old fracture site on left foot.Midweek  tofp eased up, right about when calf pain especially rt side flared up, really sore like a rock on rt. Used foam roller, iced and massaged them A LOT!

Neighbor drove by twice then asked are you barefoot? (…duh?) I politely said “Yes, I am working on my form, it’s part of my training”……He said” to be BF?” ….me”yeah it really helps!”

also I get lots of looks,  but any comments are usually, oh yeah I heard they are saying it’s good for you (to run BF)

Total miles 26, 3/4 in nike free

2.25 BF (x3 runs, .75, .5, 1)

asphalt, some dirt, nice weather 60-70′s

Prior to now, I X-trained much more (lap swim, eliptical, and bike), so I have been gradually increasing running (like I hoped for and lessened my X-training).

Longest run this week  6 miles, then 1 mile BF after.  Right leg issues flared up later (my form must have been slacking with the distance=more pronation forgetting to do the things I learned(shorten stride, increase cadence, land with foot pointed straight)just have to keep working at it, when in shoes harder to stay consistent.

TOFP so much better, just old fx site achy occasionally, calves better but still sore. Using massage, ice and foam roller.

Realized my neuroma is so much better when BF and is doing so much better in the minimalist shoes d/t no high heel.

Total miles 27.5 , nike free and brooks launch(new for me)

BF 2.5 mi (x2 runs 1.5, 1) feet are holding up well

Asphalt, some dirt and nice weather 60-70′s

HELLO! Finally realized I was so worried about not heel striking that I was only forfoot striking and running on ball of feet, causing strain, serious calf soreness and shin pain. I got a calf cramp on monday doing an excercise making it impossible to run like that and realized I need to be running midfoot and relax my legs, also reading the Chi Running book helped with this realization.

Had to do a timed 1/2 mile for class, and really pushed it, in nike free. Felt great but after felt it in my feet.

Long Run of  8 then after BF 1 mile, held up well, focusing on midfoot strike, however, finding my achilles really feels tight when attempting to do this, straining, even seems worse when I attempt to bend my knees more to achieve that midfoot strike.

Starting to realize just when one problem is better one more pops up=(. Some I feel like they are there all along and your mind can only handle focusing on the more painful one.

But despite that I feel like I am getting somewhere, like with each challenge I am incurring it is an opportunity for me to realize what I am doing wrong and to fix it or tweak it, the key is to TRULY listen to what it is my body is trying to tell me.

The BF runs are great, I really feel like I learn the most on them, like shins hurt (shorten my stride even more, pick up my feet), achilles tight ( relax my ankles and lower legs even more). When BF it’s like immediate feedback, it’s one of the best training tools for me.

I am so confused also, did the layout change on the webpage also? I thought it was set up so that we could communicate and talk with one another, but maybe not. Anyhow, I just really need to give it a whirl w/the jogger maybe it is easier than I think. I teach a mommy fitness class with a jogger so I would love to incorporate some BFR during the classes.

23 total mile Launch and Nike free

4 mi BF (3 runs, 2mi, .5,  1.5)

Warm weather, all on asphalt.

So I took off my shoes and ran and got a…..”you know those are supposed to go on your feet right?” I smiled and laughed and continued on my merry way=). Lots of looks today too, d/t running on some busier streets…..if they only tried it

Everything feeling great, can really stop shin pain when shorten stride. As long as I bend knees and relax no calf pain and my achilles have been tight off and on but as long as I really try to relax my legs and constantly remind myself to relax they feel great!

I have been for some time waking up and upon rising my first steps are painful in my heels- which I know could be PF, yet, it seems to me more like upper heels/achilles area. So it’s not a problem YET as this is the only time I feel it but…just concerning. Any advice or input on that would be GREAT!

just LOVIN’  BF!!!