Running Around Like A Child

I have now done my second barefoot run. On my lunch break last week I put my shoes on and ran over to a big green area where I took them off. I looked around for theifs before I put my shoes under some bushes, then I left them there and started running.

It was much more comfortable to run on grass, rather than running in the forest like I did last time. I guess the idea of it is that you will be able to run everywhere, but I am not there yet.

I always feel a bit silly running around barefoot, but at the same time I feel stupidly happy, like a little child running around. I made sure to step in all the puddles, and run in the wettest parts of the grass, just because I could! I ran a bit faster as well, and it felt good. When you run on grass you don't get the same posture as you do when you run on a tougher surface, it didn't actually feel that different to running with shoes. I just felt a bit lighter.

When I got back to where my shoes were I realised I couldn't put them on as my feet were wet and dirty, so I decided to try running on the road going back to work. It's proper concrete, and I felt a huge difference to running on the grass. Again I had to shorten my steps and run more on my toes.

I tried not to laugh as I was passing people, barefoot with my shoes in my hands. I did about 500m on the concrete and about the same on the grass, so next time I think I will be ready to do a longer run.

What I noticed when I put my shoes back on was that I instantly sped up. But I also felt a lot heavier, like a machine. Every step is the same as you don't have to adjust to the surface.

Dirty foot after a barefoot run.
Feet look funny from above.

I got in contact with a girl who does barefoot running through Emmi and Elina's blog, and she sent me some really good tips and some links which I will write more about here as soon as I get time.