Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Inspiration

I have always wanted to have something I am passionate about. Now, I am passionate about drumming, but I mean I want to be passionate about something natural, something I can do at any time of the day, no matter where I am. I have always wanted to be a runner. I love the feeling of walking out my door and running off on an adventure through the great outdoors. A number of months ago, after I was married and put on the I just got married therefore I will now get fat pounds like many of us have done, I decided it was time that I get off of my bum and start realizing my dream of being a runner. So I did. I ran and I trained and I ran some more. But I realized I was not having fun. I was not enjoying the thrill of running and I found myself just waiting for the run to be over each time I started. On top of that, I started to have a lot of problems with my feet and legs. My shins hurt like crazy any time I run too much, my feet require a huge wide shoe because of how flat they are, I don't have an arch at all in my foot, my knees hurt and give out after I do a long run, I'm a mess. Nevertheless, a couple of weeks ago, I ran Ragnar Relay in Cape Cod despite all of my feet and leg problems. It was amazing, I had so much fun. For the first time in my life, I experienced the thrill of running. The feeling of joy that I felt was unlike anything I had ever felt before, I loved every minute of it. I especially loved running at night in the dark, there is something to be said about running in complete darkness with only a head lamp to light your way. Now, although I did love running Ragnar so much, it did not fix my problems with my legs and feet. But it gave me the fire I needed to help me move forward with my dream and finding my passion.

Over the last couple weeks I have been reading the book "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall. It has gotten me to start thinking about barefoot running. I read about all of the stories of those that started in the same place as me, but were hindered by their injuries and problems, who took up barefoot running and became ultra runners who set world records and ran hundred mile races. Now, I don't care about setting any world records, but I thought that this idea of barefoot running seemed like something that I wanted to try. I want to get rid of my huge, expensive, super cushy mushy shoes that aren't allowing my feet to build muscle and strength and move towards a more natural way of running that will help my body to get stronger rather than hurt me weaken me and my feet. Here, I am going to share my experience of becoming a barefoot runner. I will post all the training and things that I do and learn during this whole process. I will share this story so that hopefully, if it works out for me, I can inspire others to do the same and to take this first step in to being passionate about running/barefoot running.

So check back for more in the coming days.

-Tyson

2 comments:

  1. Go Tyson! This is awesome :) good luck with everything. Sending good thoughts to your feet! Haha

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  2. What do you do about hot or rough surfaces? Do those shoes that look like toe socks still count as barefoot running? I've heard people talk about running and I've always wondered! Good luck and I hope you reach all of your goals! :D

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