To celebrate my 2 year anniversary of running barefoot, I went out and ran 14.5 miles – (2:10:38 – 8:57 pace) from my front door into downtown DC on a crisp 55 degree day in mid January. My running journal tells a different story about this day 2 years ago. Sunday, January 10th, 2010: 0.13 miles – 1:25 – 11:21 pace – 31 degrees.
I have come a long way since that nervous and cold day. I can still remember my body trembling and my mind fighting with myself thinking I was crazy to go barefoot outside in January to run. There must be a better way? Well as it turns out, against all these odds, I stuck with it and progressed into a full time barefoot runner.
Since that day I have run 1420 miles barefoot including 3.5 marathons (did other half in ZEMS) and many other distance races. I have had a total of maybe 3 blisters and 2-3 small pieces of glass stuck in my foot yet zero hypodermic needles.
I was inspired to write about this as I sit here listening to Christopher McDougall talk on the UltrarunnerPodcast.com. His article and subsequent book were the beginning of my transformation and I'd thank him in person if I could. With all the help from the Barefoot Running Society and it's members, a few hours on youtube and a lot of patience I think I can say I am fully transitioned. There is still much to learn, speed to gain, form to perfect, and the goal of an ultra marathon. Off we go.
Cheers, Chris
http://hikerockrun.wordpress.com
I have come a long way since that nervous and cold day. I can still remember my body trembling and my mind fighting with myself thinking I was crazy to go barefoot outside in January to run. There must be a better way? Well as it turns out, against all these odds, I stuck with it and progressed into a full time barefoot runner.
Since that day I have run 1420 miles barefoot including 3.5 marathons (did other half in ZEMS) and many other distance races. I have had a total of maybe 3 blisters and 2-3 small pieces of glass stuck in my foot yet zero hypodermic needles.
I was inspired to write about this as I sit here listening to Christopher McDougall talk on the UltrarunnerPodcast.com. His article and subsequent book were the beginning of my transformation and I'd thank him in person if I could. With all the help from the Barefoot Running Society and it's members, a few hours on youtube and a lot of patience I think I can say I am fully transitioned. There is still much to learn, speed to gain, form to perfect, and the goal of an ultra marathon. Off we go.
Cheers, Chris
http://hikerockrun.wordpress.com
