2K Barefoot Run

Yesterday we stayed at my parents the whole day, apart from when James had to got to work for a bit and then home to check on the cats.

James cleaned our new winter tires, and I helped my mum to pick a colour for their kitchen, as they are redecorating it.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous, I can't believe it's October! I wanted to go for a run, but since I didn't have my shoes or running clothes I decided to do another barefoot run. I ran along the road which I have walked, ridden and cycled about a million times in my life, the road to Emma's childhood home.

From my house to hers it's 1K exactly, so I decided to run there and back. I started off quite slow, it took a little while to get in to it. I still get the feeling that I am moving my feet backwards when I run, it's very strange. Try running backwards, and then do the same thing but forwards and that is how you run barefoot. I am liking the feeling more and more, I feel so light when I run without shoes.

After about 800meters I started to get a pain underneath my right foot, in my arch. I tried slowing down, but it didn't help, so I walked for a bit. But then I tried lifting my knees higher, and the pain went.
So finally I think I have worked out how you run barefoot: Light steps, straight back, knees high and land on the balls of your feet. 

On the way back I sped up, you get a lot more speed when you lift your knees higher. It felt like I was flying, wanted to go further but 2K is enough for now as I don't want to injure myself.

I am really getting in to this! You feel so light and free when you don't wear shoes! Oh I don't want winter to come with snow and ice, I want to keep doing this!



Beautiful autumn day



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.

Gästinlägg

Jag har gästbloggat på Emmi och Elinas barfotablogg, om mitt första barfota-äventyr.

Läs det på svenska här.

Taking My Shoes Off

My first barefoot run was short, only 400 meters. This is because I have been told to take it easy to start of with, as you use completely different muscles to when you run with shoes.

So I went out to the stable where Emmi and Elina keep their horses and went out in the forest with Emmi and her mini Shetland pony Elvis.

Deep in the forest we found a path that looked good.

Shoes coming off

Feet steady on the ground

It feels strange all of a sudden taking your shoes off, you feel vulnerable and free at the same time. I could really feel the earth beneath my feet, I felt like a child again.

Getting ready to go

I walked around barefoot for a bit, just enjoying the feeling. Then I was off.
It was harder than I thought. You really had to concentrate of each step you took. Look down to see where you were stepping. The first bit was very slow.

I also noticed straight away how I was running more on my toes than on my heals. It felt like I was sneaking through the woods like an indian.

I felt like Pocahontas

Another thing I noticed straight away was that it was hard work. This is probably because you are using different muscles to what you are used to. It felt like I was running up a steep hill. My
calves and my bum were burning after a few minutes.

Off I go

After a while I found my stride, even though I had to slow down when I hit a rougher path. The whole run was slower than my normal pace as I really had to concentrate on where I stepped.

Then it was over.

I felt like I could have gone a lot further, but you should not fool yourself and think you can handle it just because you are used to running. This is very different. So 400 meters will do the first time.
Now a few days later I can definitely tell that I used new muscles, as my ankles and my bum is aching. My feet are fine though, they are tougher than I thought.

And I really look forward to trying it again, this time a bit further.

New Running Challenge

After reading up on running barefoot I have discovered (as with everything) there are two sides of the story. Some people think it's great, and some people think it's rubbish.

In order to make up my mind I need to really give it a go. Not do it once and then think that will make a difference. Like with any new exercise I need to give it time in order to get a result. And what will the result be? I don't know, we will have to wait and see.

I will from now on start my own challenge, or experiment, "The Barefoot Experiment"!

I will do one barefoot run per week, starting up carefully and monitor my result. I will start off with 5 weeks and we'll se how I get on (as winter comes early in Sweden and I don't want frostbites on my feet!).

Starting Friday!

Running Barefoot

I have been inspired by Elina and Emmi's blog about barefoot horses. It made me think about the way I run. My shoes are well and truly worn out, and every time I run now I get a bad back and a pain in my ankles.

But what if I took my shoes off? What if I tried running in the way that humans were actually made to run - barefoot!




I have heard that in countries where people don't wear shoes the injure rate is very low. You use a different, more gentle step when running barefoot. Less strain on your knees and back. I am intrigued.

So there is only one thing to do - try it out!

I will do a run next week which will be posted in Emmi and Elina's blog, and off course I will also write about it here. Wish me luck!