Running Press

News and articles from Running Training Plan

The Barefoot Running Diaries

Between July 2009 and April 2013 we ran a project here that welcomed runners  to document their experiences of running barefoot.

Twenty six people participated, some wrote only an intro and maybe a post or two, others contributed more detailed reports. One in particular, Soul Man, wrote 74 entries on his journey into running barefoot.

There is no doubt the Christopher McDougall's book, Born to Run, created a huge interest in barefoot running and a major shake-up within the running community, from beginners, to coaches, to shoe manufacturers. Whilst much of the hype has now diminished, the legacy has been a re-evaluation of what it means to run naturally. These posts in this section provide a glimpse into the lives of just a few runners who tried it.

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Week 4 summary(3/14/10)enlightment

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 read more

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Week 3 summary (3/7/10)

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.

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3rd Week on my barefoot adventure

Well, this last Sunday found me at the America’s Run Half-Marathon in Arlington, TX. IT was the Innagural half with the run starting outside of the new Cowboy Stadium and finishing on the 50 yard line with your image being projected on the jumbotron (or whatever they call it). Since I’m not up to that kind of mileage in my bare feet just yet, I decided to run the race in my trusty VFF read more

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Week 2

Distance: 38

Sessions: 4

BF Sessions: 1

BF Miles: 5

Terrain: Road

BF Surface: Pavement out of town, clean road

Runs in VFF: 4

BF Weather: Clear, dry

Feet Condition: Some blisters, from VFF. No pain though.

Comments: When I did a couple barefoot miles last week I noticed two things right away. First, I had a huge smile on my face. It was actually a lot of fun. There was no pain from running barefoot.The second read more

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Post Marathoning

I’m still alive…barely.  Sunday husband and I ran in the Go St. Louis full.  Despite living out in the boonies and running hills all the time I bonked. But we finished!! So I’m taking the week easy and plan to do a couple miles barefoot Friday or Saturday.  Right now, it feels like every time I take a step someone has pliers and is ripping my toe nails off (I’m even more read more

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week 11 second run, 10.25mi

I changed my route up a bit to include smoother surfaces than last weeks primarily chipseal/rough asphalt. My feet feel MUCH better after today’s run than last week’s. Made a difference to incorporate more sidewalks on my route. Very enjoyable run indeed, feet started to get sore around mile 8 (when the route turned to all chipseal). Alternated between bike path and grass. Get a sore read more