A Passion for Running

Q1: What are you trying to prove with all this barefoot running stuff?
A1: That I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me.
A2: I am one of a growing number of runners suggesting much of the information we are fed by shoe manufacturers and orthodic specialists should be seriously questioned. Specifically, I believe there are better things we can do to protect ourselves from running injuries than simply putting bigger, more structured, or cushioned shoes and orthodics on our feet. I believe we should look at the opposite approach – to minimize what we put on our feet, and strengthen them so they can do the job nature intended.

Q2: Is it true chicks dig barefoot runners?
A: YES! They try to stop me/run with me all the time! Even girls who like girls find me attractive when I run barefoot.
Do you remember those old Hai Karate Cologne commercials? That’s how I have to get with women when I run in my bare feet! *sigh* I guess it’s the burden I must carry.

Q3: Doesn’t barefoot running hurt?
A1: Yes, but I’m way tougher than you are so I do it anyway.
A2: Seriously, the first time I did it, I did way too much – I ran three miles (100 meter sections with short walk breaks in between) and my calves were like rocks for a whole week! After that, I found my brain and began to build the mileage gradually. I no longer experience pain from what I’ll call good barefoot running conditions. Please read the next few questions for a bit of explanation around good versus not-so-good barefoot running conditions.

Q4: What are your favorite and least favorite surfaces to barefoot run on?
A: Grass is AWESOME. It’s like, well, running on grass…or a nice thick carpet. The only thing I don’t like about grass is that you can’t see what’s in it so if there is a sharp thing (e.g. a twig) in there, you might not see it and…ouch. My second favorite surfaces are concrete sidewalk because they are very smooth and, contrary to common thinking, the impact is not hard on the body – that’s with the qualifier that you must run with good form! After sidewalks, I like newly paved or smoothly paved roads and paths. In Canada, there can be a big difference between old and new pavement. Some older trails and roads get extremely pebbly and rough over time (I think because of our eroding winter conditions). I’m not quite tough enough to run on those surfaces for very long but I’m hopeful that will change as my feet adapt more.

Q5: Can you run in the rain?
A: Oh yeah, it’s lovely.

Q6: How about in the cold and snow?
A: I honestly haven’t gotten to that point yet. Although american barefooters say they do it, I am 99.9% sure I am S.O.L. up here in Canada where our winters get DAMN cold but I’ll keep you posted as the temperature drops and I grow an exoskeleton.

Q7: How about the heat?
A: So far so good but, for me, there is a definite increase in the likelihood of blisters in the heat. My U.S. barefoot cousins are much better adapted for the heat. They say (and I believe them) their feet have adapted very well for running in the heat and most of them don’t get blisters. I guess I just need more exposure.

Q8: Speaking of blisters, do you get them?
A: I get them when I get tired and/or lazy and am not running with good form. In the first couple of months, I could only go a couple of kilometers. Now, I can go between 8 and 10 kilometers without getting blisters. I may be able to go further, but I have not tried.

Q9: How far can you run barefooted?
A: My longest was 52 minutes (August 2005) but I can run for up to 45 minutes quite comfortably. After 45 minutes, I tend to get tenderness on the balls of my feet. I imagine this will go away over time since it has done so each time I’ve increased my barefoot running distance.

Q10: Do you run barefoot every time you run?
A: Unfortunately not. Right now, I run barefoot about three times per week. The soles of my feet sometimes need the rest and sometimes I like to run on surfaces my feet can’t currently handle (e.g. rocky trails).

Q11: What led you to try barefoot running?
A: It was a combination of things. The first was that I’d become injured during a marathon, had been a frequent victim of shin-splints and wanted to strengthen my feet and legs so those things would not happen again. The other thing was seeing myself run in a video my wife took. The form in that video looked awful and I quickly surmised it was a probable cause of the injuries, so I searched the web for ways to improve my form and eliminate injury. Barefoot running was the first thing I found that promised a way to do both things.

Q12: So, has your form changed since you started barefoot running?
A: Most definitely yes although I cannot personally say the change in form was solely due to running in bare feet. That’s because of my learning the Pose Method of Running. You see, I started running barefoot and the Pose Method at roughly the same time. I believe the Pose Method teaches excellent form and barefoot running helps one learn that form quickly and precisely due to the instant feedback one gets from feeling the ground. Go here for a more detailed explanation of how I think barefoot running and the Pose Method work together to make me a better runner.

Q13: Are your feet and legs stronger now?
A: I’d say my feet certainly are but I’m not sure about my legs. I’d say probably not.

Q15: Do you need any special equipment or supplies to barefoot run?
A: Duh?!
A2: Nope. But shower time requires using extra soap.

Q16: Are your feet ugly?
A1: I’m betting they’re nicer than a hobbit’s feet!
A2: I think they actually look pretty good. The soles have become a bit thicker but they are certainly not rough. Even my wife is impressed how good they look. Oh yeah, I’ve even built muscle on the tops of my feet, and the areas surrounding my ankles. Here’s a pic.

Q17: Are there any good websites where I can learn more?
A: Yes! Go here for some terrific links to people and organizations with WAY more knowledge and experience than I have.

Q18: Are you some kind of hippie?
A1: Yeah. What’s your point?
A2: I suppose there is a bit of hippie in me since I’m into finding my “natural” running form and I am somewhat distrustful of what the running industry has fed us over the years.

Q19: Have you ever stepped on glass? How did that turn out?
A: Yes. For the most part, I can see glass and navigate around it but I once got a teensy-weensy bit of glass lodged near my middle toe. It hurt a bit when it happened but I didn’t realize it was glass till later that night when I easily popped it out with a sterile needle. No biggie.

Q20: Do you have any other barefoot running tips you’d like to pass on?
A: Lara suggested using Barbasol for conditioning the feet. It seems to work. Go here for my post on it.
A2: Anyone can run barefoot as long as they build up to it gradually and learn proper running form. What does proper running form mean? The biggest things are to a) land below your body (not in front of it), b) not to push off with the toes (just lift your heel/ankle straight off the ground) and c) lean forward with your hips and fall to run forward. I recommend you visit posetech.com to learn a lot more than I know/can tell you about running form.

Q21: Have you become smarter, more handsome and charismatic since becoming a barefoot runner?
A: Yes to all of the above. I may have even grown some new hair on top of my head (one CAN dream right?). Please also see the answer to question #2 for some proof.

Q22: What kinds of reactions do you get when you rbf (run barefoot)?
A: I bet you can guess but let’s just say I enjoy all the reactions – good and not-so-good.

Q23: Are you faster or slower running barefoot?
A: It’s hard to tell but I feel as though running faster is easier and I’ve run one of my fastest miles while barefoot.

Q24: Have you ever raced bf?
A: Nope. But I plan to. I’ll keep you posted.

Q25: You’re having a lot of fun with this aren’t ya?
A: Yup! Running barefoot has ignited my passion for running in a very special way.

Q26: How does running barefoot make you feel?
A: It is very hard to explain because there are so many things but here goes; it makes me feel free, light, and joyful and connected to my running in physical way I could have not previously imagined. It’s wonderful. Really wonderful.

Please let me know if you have other questions I should add to this list.