Here in the UK the winter of 2009/10 has seemed very long. The lowest temperatures for many years and more snow than many (younger) people can remember or have ever known.
Not good for the rookie barefoot runner then.
This particular rookie is very glad to welcome some slightly warmer weather. Last Friday, 2nd April, I ventured out on my longest barefoot run for some weeks — 2.5 miles on roads that have become rather prickly to say the least. The road surfaces here have become very poor after the freezing weather; I know quite a few people who have been out buying new car tyres (me included) and in one case a new wheel after hitting pot holes in the road.
So 2.5 miles was plenty and I think it was just about right too. The soles of my feet were slightly ‘warm’ when I finished; in the usual places, on the outside of each foot, just back from the little toe. Another half mile might have produced a blister or two.
I am now looking out for my first race to run without shoes; probably a 5k. Not quite ready yet, but hopefully in a month or two.
In the meantime, I continue to enjoy the novelty of being free of the annoying plantar fasciitis that has been a feature of my first steps in the morning for years. My Achilles ‘bump’ is still present, but it is under control, and until it is gone I’ll continue running the bulk of my miles in some very inexpensive Filas and the Inov-8 Roclites. Once the Achilles is fully back to normal I’ll dust-off the £2 aqua shoes.
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