My last post and back to the Bristol Half Marathon. Come 2011 I ran it in my Evo II minimalist shoes. I ran a minute slower than 2010 but came 100 places higher up the field – so a great result.
However, my calves were incredibly stiff for the three days following the race. This is the one area where I find barefoot or minimalist running has a detrimental affect on my body – road running. I don’t think it is the hard surfaces but the monotony of action on the body – there is very little change in terrain, pace, camber or motion and my calves seem to take a bashing.
A lot of it is probably my lack of training on these surfaces, but this is not where I enjoy running most. For me it is the woods, fields and hills of Somerset where I find barefooted joy.
A great update, Soul Man, and a welcome surprise to see you back.
It seems that whether running completely barefoot or in minimalist shoes, the learning curve is extremely long; sometimes it’s sharp and sometimes it’s almost imperceptibly smooth. Like running itself, the journey is full of surprises.
Good luck to you, enjoy that beautiful contryside and do drop in again from time to time, your words are always worth reading.