I've always said that I consider myself a runner when I can run for 20 minutes straight. Today I ran 20 minutes... but not quite straight. I'm still at 1 minute running, 30 seconds walking, repeat. But I did run 20 intervals, and completely barefoot at that (at the track, of course). Now I'll work on lengthening the duration of my running intervals until I can run without walking breaks and without tiring my back.
On another note, there was another barefoot runner at the track today!!! I was completely surprised. I hadn't thought the barefoot movement had caught on that well in the little town that I live in. I was extremely happy to see a fellow barefooter. She had great running form, too. All I can say is, "Carry on barefoot revolution!"
December 30, 2009
Barefoot Resources
Barefoot Websites
- Living Barefoot
- Born to Run
- Christopher McDougall's Website
- Running Barefoot
- Barefoot Runners Society
- Barefoot Running University
- Barefoot Canada
- Adventure in Progress - The Case for Minimalist Footwear
- Run BARE
- Toe Salad
Barefoot Forums
Articles
Just my favourites, there are many, many more.
Videos
Barefoot Alternative Products
Here's a list of some barefoot alternative products that I own and enjoy, including links to full-length reviews I've written:
- Vibram FiveFingers (Classics, KSOs, Flows, Performas, Performa Janes, Treks, and TrekSports)
- VIVOBAREFOOT by Terra Plana (Evo I, Evo II, Lucy and Kali shoes as well as the Dundan and Brooklyn boots)
- Feelmax (Kuuva boots)
- Soft Star Shoes (Rambler Moccasins)
- Kigo Footwear (Stars and the Curvs)
- Sockwas(Original Sockwas)
- Luna Sandals (Original Lunas and Luna Equus)
- Zinetic Pocket Slippers
- Invisible Shoe Huaraches (Invisible Shoe Kit)
- Injinji Socks (Performance and Nu Bamboo pairs - and they are perfect with VFFs)
Barefoot Blogroll
Here are some of the blogs that I enjoy reading (in no particular order):
- Ted McDonald's Barefoot Ted's Adventures
- Christopher McDougall's Born to Run Blog
- Justin Owings's Birthday Shoes
- Anna Papij's Running Further
- Susi de Leeuw's Susi's Zen Outdoor Adventures
- Scott Mark's Run Like Monkey
- Jason Robillard's Barefoot Running University
- Clynton Taylor's Running Quest
- Sharene Hurnen's Barefoot Running and Other Stuff
- Barefoot Moe's Barefoot in Toronto
- Alan Thwait's Barefoot Journey
- Catra Corbett's Dirt Diva
- Damien Tougas' Adventure in Progress
- Michael Sandler's RunBare
- Angie Bishops's Barefoot Angie Bee
December 22, 2009
Template Change
The template change is complete (at least for now). All the page tabs are working now. Hope you enjoy the new look.
Tina
Tina
Barefoot Running Observations
While running barefoot at the track today, I observed a number of new things about barefoot running that had not occurred to me before:
1) Running barefoot REALLY fast is REALLY FUN! (This is of course relative, my fast is not what others might consider fast.)
2) Running with a smile (the reason being the previous observation) is a lot easier than running without a smile.
3) Running really fast is MUCH harder on the calves (go figure, but seeing as I hadn't run fast without shoes on before today, it's a new observation).
4) Pain-free running makes one think they can go farther than maybe they should (I skipped ahead in my intervals today because running was feeling really good. I wonder if I'll really feel it tomorrow); I guess that's why Ken Bob Saxton calls it Running Barefoot Exuberance Syndrome (RBES).
In short, my barefoot run today was fantastic. Hopefully my skipping ahead in intervals and my short interval of barefoot speed doesn't hurt too much tomorrow. However, I don't think self-induced pain feels as bad as the other kind of pain.
1) Running barefoot REALLY fast is REALLY FUN! (This is of course relative, my fast is not what others might consider fast.)
2) Running with a smile (the reason being the previous observation) is a lot easier than running without a smile.
3) Running really fast is MUCH harder on the calves (go figure, but seeing as I hadn't run fast without shoes on before today, it's a new observation).
4) Pain-free running makes one think they can go farther than maybe they should (I skipped ahead in my intervals today because running was feeling really good. I wonder if I'll really feel it tomorrow); I guess that's why Ken Bob Saxton calls it Running Barefoot Exuberance Syndrome (RBES).
In short, my barefoot run today was fantastic. Hopefully my skipping ahead in intervals and my short interval of barefoot speed doesn't hurt too much tomorrow. However, I don't think self-induced pain feels as bad as the other kind of pain.
December 19, 2009
The Living Barefoot Podcast Show - Episode 8 Released
The latest episode of the Living Barefoot Show has gone online! Episode 8 features an interview with Anemone from Vancouver, BC talking about her experiences going barefoot in and out of the city.
Check it out at:
http://www.livingbarefoot.info/2009/12/living-barefoot-show-episode-8-released/
Check it out at:
http://www.livingbarefoot.info/2009/12/living-barefoot-show-episode-8-released/
Run in Kuuvas
The other day, I went for a run in my Feelmax Kuuvas. It was above 0oC but the sidewalks had not been cleared yet so they were full of snow, slush,and ice. I didn't want to risk slipping or falling while wearing my absolutely-no-grip VFF Flows, so I wore my super grippy Kuuvas. It was fabulous.
I only laced them to the end of the lace holes and didn't tie them into the hooks. I didn't want the boot to be tight around my lower leg and this lacing seemed to work well for that. The boots did not feel too tight or too loose anywhere on my feet, ankles, or legs.
I was amazed at the grip I had on the slippery sidewalks. I could run at my normal pace (which admittedly is pretty slow) comfortably and with no fear of slipping.
Even though it was above 0oC, my feet were never too warm, either.
I think the Kuuvas are a great winter running option when it's not too cold and the terrain is slippery with snow and ice.
I only laced them to the end of the lace holes and didn't tie them into the hooks. I didn't want the boot to be tight around my lower leg and this lacing seemed to work well for that. The boots did not feel too tight or too loose anywhere on my feet, ankles, or legs.
I was amazed at the grip I had on the slippery sidewalks. I could run at my normal pace (which admittedly is pretty slow) comfortably and with no fear of slipping.
Even though it was above 0oC, my feet were never too warm, either.
I think the Kuuvas are a great winter running option when it's not too cold and the terrain is slippery with snow and ice.
December 7, 2009
Long Review - Feelmax Kuuva
My latest review has gone online on the Living Barefoot website - for the Feelmax Kuuva boot.
Check it out at:
http://www.livingbarefoot.info/2009/12/reivew-feelmax-kuuva-boot-review-winter-barefooting-series/
In short, these boots are incredible! I love their style, comfort, and barefoot feel. They are a great addition to any minimalist footwear collection that is missing something for colder temperatures and/or wet conditions. They are excellent for temperatures dropping to about -10oC, beyond that, you're definitely going to feel the cold from the ground through the bottom of your feet.
Check it out at:
http://www.livingbarefoot.info/2009/12/reivew-feelmax-kuuva-boot-review-winter-barefooting-series/
In short, these boots are incredible! I love their style, comfort, and barefoot feel. They are a great addition to any minimalist footwear collection that is missing something for colder temperatures and/or wet conditions. They are excellent for temperatures dropping to about -10oC, beyond that, you're definitely going to feel the cold from the ground through the bottom of your feet.
December 2, 2009
Barefoot Running
I went for my first completely barefoot run today. It was about -20oC outside so I went to the indoor track. Today's run was stellar: effortless and painless. I was surprised that I had absolutely no hot spots on the bottom of my feet. There was, unsurprising, no pain in any of my joints, too. Whenever the weather is too cold or the sidewalks too slippery, I'm going to the track to run more without any shoes.
Now that I've run completely barefoot, I have a better idea of the difference between running barefoot and with VFFs. There really isn't much difference in how it feels and there was no difference in form. On a completely smooth surface (like the track here), running in VFFs feels slightly more cushioned than with absolutely nothing on my feet. My cadence and running form were otherwise unchanged between today's run and my last run in Flows on the sidewalks outside.
A note on cadence, I've timed how many times my right foot hits the ground during one minute of running, and it is consistently 84 steps/minute. I was surprised that the number was unchanged between running in VFFs and completely barefoot, but it's probably because my form didn't change at all.
The only difference I noticed today while running was that I felt that my feet spread out a little more on impact with the ground without any shoes. Maybe the Flows constrict this natural movement, maybe I just never noticed the feeling before, I don't really know.
I liked the feeling of smooth track beneath my feet. I'm definitely going to run barefoot at the track whenever I go there to run. I do like my VFFs for running outside, though. In the spring and summer, I'll work on strengthening and toughening up my pansy feet, but until then, there's always the track.
Now that I've run completely barefoot, I have a better idea of the difference between running barefoot and with VFFs. There really isn't much difference in how it feels and there was no difference in form. On a completely smooth surface (like the track here), running in VFFs feels slightly more cushioned than with absolutely nothing on my feet. My cadence and running form were otherwise unchanged between today's run and my last run in Flows on the sidewalks outside.
A note on cadence, I've timed how many times my right foot hits the ground during one minute of running, and it is consistently 84 steps/minute. I was surprised that the number was unchanged between running in VFFs and completely barefoot, but it's probably because my form didn't change at all.
The only difference I noticed today while running was that I felt that my feet spread out a little more on impact with the ground without any shoes. Maybe the Flows constrict this natural movement, maybe I just never noticed the feeling before, I don't really know.
I liked the feeling of smooth track beneath my feet. I'm definitely going to run barefoot at the track whenever I go there to run. I do like my VFFs for running outside, though. In the spring and summer, I'll work on strengthening and toughening up my pansy feet, but until then, there's always the track.
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