I just need to vent

Sometimes I just have to laugh when people tell me how much I am going to regret running barefoot in the coming years (trust me, I get it a lot). I try to just laugh because my initial reaction is to immediately attack them to try and show them how wrong they are, but that usually doesn't end well, thus laughing is the safer alternative. Barefoot/minimalist running to me is common sense. If you take the time to learn about your feet, you will quickly learn that your foot was built to move.

• Why have an arch if it was"meant" to be held stationary and not allowed to move? 

• Doesn't it make sense that if you run barefoot, you are going to run lighter on your feet. It's not like just because you put shoes on, now all of the sudden you are walking on pillows and your knees and legs take no impact and your feet work better. 

• Why do you think God gave you a nice thick padded spot on the ball of your foot? Do you think it was so you could put a fat sole under it with a raised heel and run on your heels? Obviously not.

• Why do you think we have 5 toes on each foot that all move separately? So we could cover them and hold them together tight and not allow them to feel the ground and help propel you forward?

I am not trying to say that running in any shoe is bad. In fact, I have a lot of minimalist running shoes that I use often. What I am saying, is that if you actually take the time to learn about barefoot/minimalist running, you will learn that there is a lot more to it than taking off your shoes and going for a jog. It teaches you the correct way to run. It allows your feet to be strengthened and the muscles to grow and work to help you run more efficiently. With that being said, I don't support conventional running shoes and will never wear them again in my life.

So to all those that tell me I am going to regret running barefoot in a few years, this is what I have to say to you.

NO I WON'T

Oh, and I will make you a promise right now. In a few years, I will still be running barefoot and loving it.

And in ten years, I will still be running barefoot and loving it. Injury-free.

Get it?

To ultra or not to ultra

Think you aren't built to run ultras? Take a look.

http://vanessaruns.com/2012/10/18/7-reasons-you-think-you-cant-run-an-ultra-marathon-when-you-can/

100 miles in sandals

I mentioned a little while ago my dream of running a 100 mile ultramarathon. I don't want to run just any ultra though, I want to run the Bear 100. I found this awesome blogpost from Luna Sandals Co-owner Scott, logging his journey as he ran his first 100 mile race, the Bear 100. It got me so excited to continue training. Take a look.

http://dreamingwild.com/2012/10/16/the-bear-100-a-100-mile-vision-quest-in-luna-sandals/

Can I run barefoot in the winter?

Obviously a very hot question in the world of Barefoot Running right now is, "What am I going to do in the winter?"

Well, like I mentioned I was going to do earlier, I have done some research and come up with some conclusions as to what us crazy barefoot runners can do once the snow starts falling and the mercury in that old thermometer of yours drops down below freezing. Just like when you started to run barefoot, it was a slow and sometimes painful process, it will be the same while adjusting to the winter if you choose to be one of the "nuts" and run barefoot over the frozen ground. I live in Utah, so this is a genuine concern for me (unless this winter is as mild as it was last winter). I will convey what I have learned to you in continuation, but before I go on, I would like to take this moment to say that running barefoot in the winter is not for everyone and I urge you to use correct judgment in your decision and release myself from all liability should you choose to run barefoot when you shouldn't and end up getting hurt! (Phew, I am glad that is over with)

Your ability to run barefoot in the winter will depend on your body

I think one of the most important things will be listening to your body and making sure you stop when your body tells you to, but remain strong when you know you can keep going. This is not for everyone and you are not a wimp if you do decide to throw on a pair of FiveFingers for the winter, most people won't continue to run barefoot, but for us crazies that will, just be careful and listen to your body.

Start slow and allow your body to adapt

Don't wait until the dead of winter to start running on the cold pavement, start now before it gets too cold. The more time you will allow for your feet to get conditioned to the cold ground, the easier and less painful it will be, not to mention the risk of injury will reduce greatly. So don't wait for the first snowfall, start now while you still can.

Take into consideration your weather conditions before you make a decision

If it is -35 degrees out and school has been cancelled so the children don't get frostbite while waiting for the bus, don't be stupid and go barefoot running (don't go running at all for that matter, in my opinion). Obviously if there is a foot of snow out on the ground, it will make a lot more of a difference than if it is packed snow just touching the soles of your feet. Be careful and exercise correct judgement, listen to your body. Stay clear from puddles in the winter created by the salt mixture many people use to melt snow. The salt melts the snow, but leaves a puddle of water with a temperature below freezing (since the freezing point of salt water is significantly lower) which will obviously increase your risk of injury and frostbite. Not to mention that the salt on your feet will make them more susceptible to injury.

Most Importantly, don't give up

If you have been training barefoot, start early, listen to your body and all of it's warning signs and all is going well, stick with it and have fun. I believe that much of what we endure as barefoot runners is possible by having a good attitude and having fun. So get out there and start training! Please give any feedback if you have any more winter barefoot running secrets.

Runners Connect barefoot running research

I found this article today and thought it was "share-worthy". It discusses whether barefoot running/minimalist running will strengthen the muscles in your foot and provides some research that I found quite interesting about how it will effect both the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles in your feet. Take a look and let me know what you think.

http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/will-barefoot-running-strengthen-your-feet/

Luongo Footwear

Check out this new minimalist footwear company, they offer some pretty good tips on  running barefoot/minimalist.

http://www.luongofootwear.com/barefooting/

You think I am crazy? This is why I run barefoot.

If you are on the fence about barefoot running and aren't sure why you should take the dive into the unshod world, take a look at this great article that I found this morning. It gives a lot of reasons and research that support barefoot running and why us crazies decide to kick off the shoes never to look back at the world of conventional running shoes.

http://www.barefooters.org/key-works/case_for/3.health.html

Barefoot running at its finest

On Saturday, my wife and I had the rare opportunity to sleep in...oh wait...no we didn't. Our little one wanted to get up bright and early to play! After laying around for a little while we decided we had better get up and go out for a run before it got too hot. Honestly, neither of us really wanted to go, but we went anyway. Since we run at different paces, I decided to take the car down with the baby and the stroller and pick up the trail and run 3 miles and she would run from our house to the trail and meet me at our favorite quaint little breakfast place.

I started out running in my new Vibram Fivefinger Bikilas. I finally got the right size and they are now incredibly comfortable (which I didn't quite expect). But after about a mile, I was feeling very constricted, so I decided to take them off and go barefoot, I was hot, I didn't feel very good and I felt tired so I was unsure that I would even make it three today. After about two miles I was feeling incredible. It was weird how much happier and energized I felt after I took off my shoes. I don't know if it was the shoes (or lack thereof) or if I was just getting warmed up, but whatever it was made me feel amazing so I kept running, I ran past the 1.5 mile turn-around point. Then I ran past the 2 miler. Then the 3. Then I got to about 3.5 miles and my baby girl woke up from her nap, so I figured I better not be out too long or she might get hungry, also I didn't want to scare my wife with being out for too long when she was supposed to meet me back in town, so I turned around and headed back. She ended up meeting me part way up the trail when she decided I must have gone further, so we ran the last 3/4 of a mile together. 

Upon finishing the seven miles I can honestly say I have never felt so good after a run of that distance; I still felt energized, my soles felt good, I had no blisters and it was overall such a great experience. That was the first run where I truly felt like I was officially a barefoot runner, I feel like I have graduated from the training phase to just being a normal barefoot runner. I hope that you can all be inspired to start running barefoot! I promise you awesome results as long as you take things slow and focus on doing it right rather than fast. You will slow down from your normal pace at first and it won't seem completely natural in the beginning, but it will come quickly and before you know it you will be tossing those old running shoes out the window! I can't see myself running in conventional running shoes ever again! Good luck and please let me know how your journey is going!

Don't give up!

I have talked to a lot of new people about barefoot/minimalist running lately. One of the first things that a lot of these people will tell me is,

"Yeah, I tried barefoot running once, it hurt so much I decided it wasn't for me" 

or 

"Yeah, I got some minimalist shoes, but they really just made my knees and shins hurt more so I went back to my regular supported running shoes."

Now,what I probably hear most of all is, "I have no pain while running, so I have no desire at all to change things up."

 Now, my next favorite part of the conversation with those that say the last one that I shared here is,

"Yeah I really recommend this one doctor, he had my knee up and going in no-time, I was only out for a month when I got hurt"

I understand that running barefoot isn't for everyone. It is something that requires a lot of dedication. Your feet are inevitably going to be raw and hurt, it's all part of the game. Your calves are going to be sore in the beginning. You are going to have a hard time trying to increase your cadence and keeping your feet under your body. You will probably struggle with blisters on your toes, slivers, maybe even a piece of glass in your foot, but don't give up.

If you are looking to start, take it slow. If you think you might want to get a minimalist shoe to run in, learn how to run barefoot first. Like I said before, some people think it is the minimalist shoe that is causing them more pain. Remember, it's not the shoe, it's you. Learn how to run correctly first and you will no longer have pain, I promise.

I run in both minimalist shoes and barefoot. I personally prefer barefoot to minimalist because I feel that it is easier to keep good form and run lighter on my feet. With that being said, there are times when it is wet out, and everything it sticking to my feet, and there is gravel everywhere, that it is really nice to throw on my Huaraches and plow right through. But like I have said before, do what is best for you and don't give up!

Sunset picture I took a little while ago

I like the way they think...

Yesterday I got some samples from Vibram fivefingers that they sent me to demo for them. I tried the Bikila's this morning on my run, check back in a couple weeks or so after I get a feel for them to see my review. In the meantime, I really like this ad I saw that Vibram fivefingers tweeted today...

Chia Seeds Review

It has been a few weeks now since I purchased some Chia Seeds. I wanted to give myself some time to test them out and see their effect on me before I gave my review.

I think that right from the very beginning, it was very obvious that they helped curb my hunger. Normally while I sit in my cubicle at work, I feel the constant need for nourishment. Luckily my dad works close-by and has an office full of snacks where I can go and eat to my hearts content, but this comes at a price, an ever-increasing weight. So I try and try to avoid that at all costs, but since I have started incorporating chia seeds in to my diet, there has been a noticeable change in my hunger levels. They have helped me to feel fuller longer, which in return has helped me to actually lose weight because I end up snacking less and chia seeds are packed with important nutrients and vitamins that aid in weight loss and a healthy balanced diet. 

Now, honestly I can't tell if it is just the placebo effect, or if it is real, but I have definitely felt more energized since I started eating them. I feel like I am more awake throughout the day and I am able to run further without fatigue. I really do agree that they help you stay hydrated and give you the fuel you need to keep going. 

One thing that I didn't anticipate, but is an interesting and fun "feature" of chia seeds, is how small they are, how easily they get stuck in your teeth and how they absorb so much liquid and turn in to a gel-like seed that make it even harder to get out of your teeth. Just expect to be picking seeds out of your teeth for a few minutes or so after you first eat them. 

One of my favorite things to do with them is put a tablespoon of seeds in my fruit smoothie in the morning or after a run, this way, you almost don't even notice that they are there. I tried the gel-drink that everyone talks about and thought it was disgusting. Trying to suck down a cup full of gel-like seeds is pretty revolting in my opinion. I have also made these awesome chia seed granola bars. Click the link to find the recipe, they were delicious. I did almonds instead of the nuts they said and I used craisins instead of raisins (that is just what I had at my house).

Amazon probably has the  best prices for Chia Seeds. Go buy some and try them out for yourself!

Running barefoot and glass DON'T mix

Since the day I started running barefoot, everyone seems to enjoy telling me things like "You're going to cut your feet up!" or "I would never run barefoot because I care about my feet and don't want to get slivers." or "Just wait till you step on a piece of glass, I'll be there to laugh at you and tell you I told you so!!" WELLLL start laughing, because this morning I found a piece of glass lodged in my foot. Now, I have no idea when I stepped on it, but it wasn't today because I had to dig it out with a needle because my foot healed up over it, but I realized that it was there this morning. Anyway, for all of you that think I am crazy, here is a funny video (also really weird and robot-ish, you'll see what I mean) that will make you laugh.

DON'T TAKE ADVICE FROM THE SALES ASSOCIATE!

Yesterday I went with my wife, daughter, mom and sister into a store called Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) to take a look at some minimalist shoes that I want to try out. I am running the Top of Utah Half Marathon in august and I don't think I will be quite ready to run it completely barefoot so I want to at least train partly in some shoes that will suit my new running style in case I am unable to do it completely barefoot. So anyway while we were there, my mom decides to ask the sales associate about my sisters shin splints and what the associate thought she might be able to do to avoid getting shin splints in the future (they don't like to listen to my advice, they think I am just a crazy barefoot runner following a crazy trend). So the lady working there says,

Well, I think one of the most important things is that you have a shoe with really good arch support. The less you support your arch, the more stress it is going to be putting on your shins. Also we have these awesome inserts that you can throw in your shoe to have even more support if the shoes aren't enough for you. 

Obviously at this point you know that I am DYING to call her out. Any barefoot runner or minimalist runner worth his toes knows that more arch support will NOT fix your shin splints. Its the way you run that will fix it, staying on top of your feet instead of extending them too far, or pushing yourself too far. It's NOT the need for a more supportive shoe! So she then tells us that she does not know as much as the other guy working there though so she calls him on the walkie-talkie and signals him over. Upon arriving, my mom asks him the same question. He says,

Well first off, you probably need to think about your stride, if you are overstepping and extending your leg too far, you can be putting a lot of strain on your shins  (FINALLY, someone who knows what he is saying...so far...). But I think that what you really need to be concerned about is that you buy a good shoe that fits all the contours of your foot and has a really good arch support.

Well so much for someone that I thought might know what he was talking about. Don't these guys know that there is no research that backs that up AT ALL? I guess not. Now this really wasn't that surprising, I didn't really expect for them to give me the answers that I know are correct, but it still pushed my buttons. So I try on a pair of minimalist shoes that I really like. The lady turns to me and says,

I have some minimalist shoes like those that I run in quite a bit, but I used them too much recently and my Plantar Fasciitis came back, so I had to switch back to a more cushioned shoe. So I mean, I would be pretty careful about those, they don't protect your foot like a good normal running shoe.

This was the point where I knew it was time to go home. Really? Your plantar fasciitis came back because of your minimalist shoes? Are you sure it isn't because you are slapping your heel in to the ground with your big fat "cushioned" running shoe? Silly EMS sales associates. I went home and bought the shoes I liked on Amazon.com. Check back later to see which ones I got!

Running with an iPhone has its perks

One of the great things about modern technology is that it allows you to easily write down your thoughts so you don't forget them. This morning I was on a run down by the river in our little town when a lot of things were popping in to my head. I had my iPhone with me to take some pictures, so I used the voice recognition stuff to talk into notes and write down what I wanted to say so I wouldn't forget. Here are just a few things that were running through my head that I remember reading in various places/things I have learned through my own experience.

1. "If it feels like work, you are working too hard," from the book Born to Run. Christopher McDougall talks about how running should not feel like work. If you are feeling exhausted and winded and can't breathe, you are probably running too fast and too hard for your body. Your body has a target heart rate range which you should try to achieve, if you stay within that range, you will burn the fat in your body instead of the sugars in your stomach, ultimately helping you run much further. Like is also says in Born to Run, you have enough fat stored in your body to run all the way to from New York to California if you wanted, you just have to train your body to rely on that fat instead of the gels and goo's and other gross things some people eat to try and stay energized. 
2. "You don't stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running." This is also from Born to Run. I really love this quote. I see the results in my parents a lot, they are both avid runners and have been very slow to age. They both look and feel a lot younger than their true age because of the daily exercise that they do. There was a study done by scientists who tracked the averaging finishing time in marathons. They found if you start running at age 19, you get faster until you peak at 27 and then gradually get slower—but it takes decades for you to slow down until you're where you were when you were 19. You can be well in to your 60's before you are slower than you were as a 19 year old!
3. I find that I have lots of energy after I run a long run when I am running with correct form. When you run with correct form, you are much more efficient. Your body works like it is supposed to, and gravity does the majority of the work. Try it! You will see what I mean.
4. If it hurts, STOP. Your body is better than any doctor or book or video or website to tell you what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong. When you transition from running shod to barefoot, your body is a great indicator to say when you need to take it easy. Don't feel bad if you have to stop and adjust your form or rethink your stride, it is all part of the process. Don't worry about the time, you will probably be slower to start, but you'll pick up your speed again and you will definitely be packing on the miles once you get in to the swing of things and realize how amazing it is to run with bare feet.
5. I have been taking tally lately as I see runners in the street and on the trails and so far from what I have gathered, 9 out of 10 runners that I have observed so far are heel-strikers. Keep those heels from slapping the ground! Shorten your stride and pick up your feet or you are going to get hurt (if you aren't hurting already).

Well there you have it. That is what I was thinking as I was running today. Here are some pictures of my run. 

The Art of Running Barefoot

Here are a couple videos that explain the art of barefoot running (disregard the Brooks shoes ad in the beginning of the third video, not that they aren't good shoes or anything, it just isn't the point I am trying to get across haha). These have some awesome pointers on barefoot running and how to run correctly and not get hurt! It is not as important to run with bare feet as it is to learn correct form. So even if you aren't ready to tear your shoes off and toss them in the trash, at least try and take some tips from these videos and stop yourself from running inefficiently. But remember, it is a lot easier to learn the form if you actually take your shoes off. It's hard to break a habit when you are still wearing the shoes that helped you create that habit.

Fun Foot Facts!

Here are some interesting facts about feet I bet you didn't know!

• Did you know that your feet account for almost 25% of the bones in your body? Each foot is an intricate structure containing 26 bones. Thirty-three joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles, and tendons hold the structure together and allow it to move in a variety of ways. This is significant because it really shows you how important the health and proper functioning of your foot is to the rest of your body. 
• There are over 250,000 sweat glands in your foot. Are you sure you want to cover them up with shoes and socks? Imagine how good it would feel to have those feet free and uncovered while running!
• The average foot should get about 2 sizes bigger when a person stands up. So if we are wearing shoes that restrict our feet from shifting and flexing, doesn't that seem a little wrong?

Blistering News!

So I learned something from the blisters on my toes. I was reading that if you develop blisters on the tops of your toes that it may be due to bad form. Obviously we all know my form is not great still, as I am still learning and barely starting out on this journey, but here is what I learned. If you have blisters on the tops of your toes, it is probably because you are pushing off of the ground while running. Ideally, you should be running and letting your feet lightly "kiss" the ground. Instead of pushing off and leaping for the next step, you should lift your feet after each step, and try not to bounce and hop as much, as this wastes a lot of energy. Toe landing will result in a lot of calf pain and toe blisters. So this is what I was doing wrong. I guess I was pushing off of the ground more than I should have been, I wasn't "lifting" feet and allowing them to smoothly glide across the ground. Look at this picture here that easily shows the good form we should be working towards.

Why I Barefoot Run

A lot of people find my decision to run barefoot crazy. They always say, "But Tyson, won't that hurt?" "Aren't you scared you will step on things?" "What if your feet get blisters?" "Can't you get diseases from running barefoot?" "Why don't you just wear shoes? They are much more comfortable" "But now you are going to get injured so much easier!" And the list goes on and on. Well I started reading a book last night called The Barefoot Running Book  by Jason Robillard, it has some really good research that explain exactly why I have decided to run barefoot. I will share some of the main ideas in short bullet points below.

• Why is it that since the great running boom of the seventies that there has been NO decrease in the amount of injuries in spite of yearly 'improvements' in running-shoe technology? (some authors say there has been an increase in injury)
• The heel of a runner upon striking the ground generates a force that can equal 2.5 times body weight at the foot and as much as 7 times body weight at the hit. Repeat this 1000 times per mile and it's easy to appreciate the stress our bones are under if we continue to heel strike because of our thick-soled shoes.

• The impact from running on your body as your foot hits the ground is actually (wait for it) HIGHER the softer your shoes get. If you are running with a shoe that has tons of cushion, you actually end up hitting the ground even harder and the impact is much more negative on your bones and muscles than if you are running barefoot. Think about it, you don't just carelessly run around when you are barefoot, you are careful about where you place your foot and how hard it hits the ground, so you actually end up being much lighter on your feet and reduce your risk of injury infinitely while running barefoot.

This is what I tell those that doubt me and think that I am crazy. There is so much research pointing to the benefits of running barefoot, but there is NO (yes none, nada, zilch) peer reviewed research that talks about the benefits of wearing running shoes and how it helps you over all. Why do you think almost every running shoe company in the world now is starting to design and sell minimalist shoes?

Now I know many of you may be thinking that you would like to start, but are not sure WHERE to start, or HOW to transition. Here are a couple things that you can do, starting today, to begin your very own transition to running barefoot:

1. When you get home from work, take your shoes off! Walk around the house barefoot, do yard work barefoot, walk to the bus station to get the kids barefoot. Do as many activities as you can barefoot to start to condition your feet so they begin to work and build the muscles they have lost by being covered for all these years.
2. Start walking short distances every day barefoot. Take a half-mile walk around the neighborhood, any little bit will help your feet to get used to the ground again, notice how good it feels. 
3. Train yourself to land on the padded area on your foot instead of your heel, when you learn to do this, correct form will start to happen by itself. 

Note: Listen to your body. 

Your feet and legs will tell you 

when you are doing something

 right or wrong. They will tell you 

when you should slow down or 

when you are ready to add more

 distance and speed to your training.

Try those three things out this week! 

Check back again soon for more tips

on what you can do next, and please 

comment and let me know how it is 

going for you so far!

Day #1

First off, Check out the new pair of running sandals I just ordered. Click here and order them now, they are on sale!!

So today was day one of my transition to barefoot running. Everything that I have read so far has said that if I don't take my time and try to "jump" right in to it that I will get hurt. If any of you know me, you know that I am not a very patient person. I want to have everything NOW. But I have decided that I better just stick to the program and take it easy.

So I have been watching a lot of videos about barefoot running and reading a lot about the different reasons why people decide to take this path. Here are some of the thoughts that I have had through it all that have motivated me to try this out:

1. If God gave me feet with an arch, the arch in my foot must serve a purpose. The fact that it flexes seems like our bodies natural shock absorbing device. Why do we NEED to have something that lifts it and holds it up if it is meant to flex? Wouldn't that defeat its purpose? Check out the quote at the bottom of this post to see what Christopher McDougall has to say about this in "Born to Run"

2. I have flat feet, my feet always hurt in my shoes, I can never find a running shoe that seems to work for me.

3. When I run, like many of you, my heel plays a huge part in my running form and style. That does not seem right, why do I run like that? Why would I run slamming my heel down in to the ground when it is the boniest part of my whole foot? I try to stop, but my stupid thick-soled running monsters don't make that very easy for me.

4. I want to be hardcore. I have always wanted to do something that others would be like, " woah look at that dude, he is hardcore." This is my opportunity. Look out world, here I come.

So anyway, today I started the process. Almost anywhere I have read or watched, they tell you to start out just walking around barefoot outside for a while, and practice good form (I will touch on what "good form" should be later). So i did. I walked down the street, walked around the block a little, jogged in the grass some and just started to get my feet used to the idea of being nakie. So far so good.

"Just look at the architecture," Dr Hartmann explained. Blueprint your feet, and you'll find a marvel that engineers have been trying to match for centuries. Your foot's centerpiece is the arch, the greatest weight-bearing design ever created. The beauty of any arch is the way is gets stronger under stress. The harder you push down, the tighter its parts mesh. No stonemason worth his trowel would ever stick a support under an arch; push up from underneath and you weaken the whole structure. Buttressing the foot's arch from all sides is a high-tensile web of twenty-six bones, thirty-three joints, twelve rubbery tendons, and eighteen muscles, all stretching and flexing like an earthquake resistant suspension bridge."