Out for the blue came a message from a barefoot runner, there’ll be more to follow.
Hi Graham.
Just discovered your website and thought you would like to know about my barefoot running experiences.
Firstly i am 45 years old, and have been running off and on for about 30 years. I did plenty of running in the Forces in boots mainly but also used trainers. About 5 years ago I started running again after a couple of years off doing other things.
I had my running analysed by the local running shop, parted with good money for a pair of shoes and off I went with dreams of the miles to come. Despite taking things easy for a few weeks building up the milage, etc, etc, my calves just gave out no warning. Plenty of rest and physio later I was back out on the road only for a week later my calf muscles went again.
It was around this time that a friend of mine who happens to be a physiotherapist came back to this country for a visit. I caught up with him and explained the problems I was having. After plenty of discussion he suggested I try running barefoot and proceeded to give me tips on what to expect and to do.
Despite initial skepticism I got on with the task of learning to run with no shoes on. My first few runs were only around a mile and my feet were initially very sore. As the weeks went by I found that I absolutely loved running barefoot, I could feel my feet getting stronger all the time and the best part of it was no pain or breakdowns in my calf muscles or anywhere else.
Over the years I have taken part in numerous triathlons, 10k runs, half marathons, and two marathons all with no problems at all with my feet.
I have introduced a few of my friends to barefoot running, some like it some don’t. It is not to everyone’s liking and not everyone can cope with it; I had to learn a different style of running with a mix of forefoot and midfoot strike.
I for one will NEVER EVER run in trainers again.
All the best
Tony
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