The Barefoot Running Diaries

still running using VFF’s , I haven’t worn trainers to run for months now and doubt I ever will.  its such a different experience that putting shoes on would seem ridiculous now,  like putting boxing gloves on to go climbing.  my rock climbing has improved greatly and mostly due to the increased power in my lower legs, im sure the benefits would be felt in other sports as well.

i have read more

• Total weekly miles

 1.25 miles.

• Number of running sessions

3.

• Total weekly barefoot miles

1.25 miles.

• Number of barefoot running sessions

3.

• Running terrain

Flat circuit outside my house on pavement.

• Ground surface of barefoot runs

A mix of smooth and rough pavement with some road too.

• Runs in minimalist shoes, e.g. Five Fingers.

None.

• Weather for barefoot runs (rain on road?)

2 runs were nice and dry, I managed 0.5 of a mile each on those.  One run was in the rain, my feet really hurt during that one, so I cut it down to 0.25 of a mile.

• Condition of skin on feet — hotspots, blisters

Surprisingly, considering the pain I was in during the wet run (my feet were so sore, I honestly thought read more

• Total weekly miles

 3/4 of a mile.

• Number of running sessions

3.

• Total weekly barefoot miles

3/4 of a mile.

• Number of barefoot running sessions

3.

• Running terrain

Flat circuit outside my house on pavement.

• Ground surface of barefoot runs

A mix of smooth and rough pavement with some road too.

• Runs in minimalist shoes, e.g. Five Fingers.

None.

• Weather for barefoot runs (rain on road?)

Warm and dry.

• Condition of skin on feet — hotspots, blisters

Dirty, but no damage at the moment.  I have a small blister below my third toe from walking barefoot, but that’s healing nicely and doesn’t affect my running.

• Interesting/amusing comments received during the week: e.g. ‘You’ve got no shoes on!’

None so far.  A few funny looks though.

• Treading on nasty things: e.g. glass, thorns, poo — how you dealt with any.

read more

After deciding to run barefoot, I did a little bit of research on the internet on how best to approach it.  I ordered Barefoot Ken Bob’s book, “Barefoot Running Step by Step” and started searching the internet for more information.  All the advice I found (from Barefoot Ken Bob’s website, Jason Robillard’s Barefoot Running University, the US Runner’s World read more

As a new contributor I suppose I’d better introduce myself… My name is Dai, I’m 30, and I’ve been running, on and off, for about 4 or 5 years.  I’ve run a handful of 10kms, one half marathon and 2 Tough Guys (Google it, it’s great fun!) in between bouts of injury and laziness, so I’m pretty much a recreational runner and as such, my weekly mileage varies read more