I am now doing a regular 4.5km route at least twice a week. It is mainly on paving/tar, but includes grass and a dirt path. The hardest/best part is running through a shopping area (only about 100m) and the looks and comments I get.
I do worry a bit about running in the cold as my feet can get numb and then I worry that I won't feel any cuts. This in turn makes me a bit paranoid and so anything I feel I stop to check in case I'm bleeding. What this is slowly making me realise is that feet are a lot more robust than I thought.
After the first time I did this route, I got some serious blisters, particularly on the front of my feet and on my second toes. My second toes are quite skew (the result of being crammed into shoes all their life no doubt), and so they hit the ground on the bottom and side. I had hoped the blisters would become harder skin - they have now gone, and my feet seem to be getting tougher, although not noticeably were the blisters where.
So all in all, my feet are slowly taking to the barefoot thing. I could have probably started slower with less discomfort, but I am a little impatient :-)
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4 comments:
I share your impatience! I'm starting my second month of barefoot conditioning and I find it really hard to wait a day between runs and on the weekends I lose all self control and just run both days. My feet actually hold up well... it's my unused calf muscles that hurt.
For sure, that was actually one of the things I forgot to mention, my lower calf muscles have been really stiff, although it seems to be easing now. Must try and find a good stretch for them!
May I suggest some firewalking to help with the conditioning? Good for the soul too...
I too have been feeling very impatient. Thankfully the skin on my feet keeps me from running too far too soon and causing structural injuries from transitioning too quickly. Only on my second month now, but definitely loving every minute. Keep it up!
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