Barefoot Griffith Park Run with Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton & Friends

11.59 mi :: 03:16 hours :: 16:54 minute pace
Yesterday was not just my longest barefoot run but my longest run ever. It was tough, but I learned a lot.

Although my soles got beat up pretty good, I ran steady and solid. I was worried my feet would give out before my will, but actually my limiting factor was tightness in the lateral sides of both knees (esp. the left). I mentioned this to Barefoot Ken Bob who said to relax the knees! He suggested I move my hips forward so my feet fall below me, run as if following a line (not straddling it), and bend the knees more. As I adjusted my form the lateral tightness diminished. He ultimately said I needed to “fall” forward and let my knees acts as springs. As I trusted the process I felt myself surge forward as I let gravity do its work. A very Zen experience.

Unfortunately, I learned this lesson after I had put several miles of stress on the knees, so once I reached the Observatory (~8.7 miles) my knees were stiff. The descent down the trail was painful as I had difficultly bending my legs. Barefoot Ken Bob offered to pick me up from the Observatory after returned to his car. I got his phone number and said I'd try to hobble back but would call him if I couldn't go on.
After the excruciatingly slow descent, I walked the wonderful grassy medians all the way to Los Feliz Blvd, and then down the nice grassy easement down to Riverside Dr./Crystal Spring Dr. At this point I had enough and Barefoot Ken Bob helped me back to my car.
I didn't intend on going that far, but it was a real victory as I broke a psychological barrier. Had I known we were running to the Observatory from the Zoo side I would have declined.

The car ride home gave my knee time to cool off and really stiffen up. Probably too much, too soon, but I'm glad I did it.

http://www.dailymile.com/people/UnshodRod/entries/1451069

Comments

Barefoot Terry,

Thanks, it was awesome; a great learning experience. My longest barefoot run was a little over 3 miles on smooth concrete. My longest running shoe run was just under 5 miles. I'd never recommend such a dramatic distance jump, but in the moment and with such experienced company, I persevered. Barefoot Julian Romero led the pack.

Yesterday, the sides of my knees were stiff. Whether sitting or standing I felt fine, however the transition from one position to another was painful and slow. The knees loosened up once I got walking, but uphill or downhill elicited pain. Although my soles look bad and are sore, the pain is minor and they're not very tender to the touch.

Today, my knees stiffness is greatly reduced, but my calves are pretty sore. Overall, not bad considering.
 
That's incredible! I am up to 5 miles barefoot, but having a bout with pain in my left foot again. I was hoping to push through some heavier miles by this point, but luck is not in my favor. I am hoping to do a half marathon BF in May if I can get through this setback.
 
That's awesome! I wanted to run with one of Barefoot Ken's Workshops but missed it. Now I'm broke down with a cold so I will have to bide my time. I just did a presentation for my class (Public Speaking) on barefoot running. It was pretty fun to share the experience. Can't wait to hit the roads soon in Griffith Park.
 
It takes real decernment and patience to know when to push through and when to backoff and rest. If not May, I have no doubt you'll master the mileage soon enough.
 
Thanks! Barefoot Ken Bob is great. He does all this just for his love of barefoot running. He's having his next BF seminar at Griffith Park on May 9th from 9 -11 a.m.


Griffith Park is great because it offers so many challenging surfaces and scenic vistas.
 

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Unshod Rod
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