Running consecutive days barefoot

[NickW]

I'm curious about some of the people like Gentile who run long distances barefoot (or even any of you that run short distances too) if they are able to run consecutive days on pavement or if they need a break too... Whether that's just a break from pavement or an actual off day from running.

 

[DNEchris]

http://thebarefootrunners.org/threads/barefoot-barefoot.7001/page-3

 

[JosephTree]

As I've said before, I'm a happy every-other-day sort of guy.

Within that parameter I can run as much or as often as I feel like. The feet aren't the limiting factor these days, so much as the ankles / legs / energy level in general. That translates to between 20 and 25 miles most weeks. Until recently I've been on roads and paved trails mostly. I have 3 of my favorite trail runs scheduled over the next few weeks, though, and am focusing on brushing up my trail running chops, for which I use my Bikilas.

For example, over the last 3 runs, I've gone 16 miles, 11 of them BF. I carry my Biks and pull them on when I leave the road.

...Yes, that's about what Chris runs on his way to work in the morning...

 

[Bare Lee]

Nick, I don't fit the target demographic of your question, but I'll just add that over the last year I've run every day for two weeks on two separate occasions, and was amazed at how easy it was, but then each time I got TOFP sometime in the third week, so I was overdoing it. But soles weren't the problem in my case--it was my metatarsals. Either way, I think it should be possible for both of us to get to 5-6 days a week at some point, at least with modest mileage. Like you, I'm just trying to be patient and give it time. I wonder if I were still in my 20s if I'd already be there.

 

[NickW]

I wonder if I were still in my 20s if I'd already be there.

I wonder that myself.

 

[Last Place Jason]

Back when I ran exclusively barefoot I ran on consecutive days for several weeks at a time. Most of that was either asphalt or gravel roads. It took some time to adapt to the sensations. In the beginning, I'd have greater sensitivity with each successive day. That abated after about two weeks, though.

The trick is to give your body time to adapt to the rigors of running barefoot every day. It's no different than any other transition-type situation... just listen to your body.

 

[barefootandagile]

Nick, I don't fit the target demographic of your question, but I'll just add that over the last year I've run every day for two weeks on two separate occasions, and was amazed at how easy it was, but then each time I got TOFP sometime in the third week, so I was overdoing it. But soles weren't the problem in my case though, it was my metatarsals. Either way, I think it should be possible for both of us to get to 5-6 days a week at some point, at least with modest mileage. Like you, I'm just trying to be patient and give it time. I wonder if I were still in my 20s if I'd already be there.

I wonder that may be you are doing something wrong technically speaking and by making the proper adjustment you could run more without TOFP. Just thinking outloud.....

 

[joohneschuh]

I´m pretty sure that you´ll reach a point where it doesn´t matter much wether you run barefoot or not. Probably it takes a few years until you´re there, but eventually barefoot running is simply running. So if you can run on consecutive days, you can do it barefoot, too.

 

[Barefoot Gentile]

I rarely run consecutive days, my schedule is mostly run, then a day of rest. But I still do run consecutive days once in awhile, my soles become more sensitive with each run though. But to answer your question yes I take a day off to rest the feet, I find it's important to rest the feet.

 

[Bare Lee]

I wonder that may be you are doing something wrong technically speaking and by making the proper adjustment you could run more without TOFP. Just thinking outloud.....

I dunno, on the one hand, there's been obvious improvement in technique, especially now that I'm running a bit faster. My landing is getting pretty consistent and the gait feels smooth, over a variety of surfaces. Several people have said my form looks good, although none of them approach your coaching competence. On the other hand, most BFRers report a period of transition lasting anywhere between 2 months and 2 years. When you consider I hadn't run for seven years when I started to get back in shape in 2010, was moderately overweight at the time, and have only been running consistently for a little over a year, I think experiencing a stress reaction in my mets last year was perfectly normal and even to be expected. I haven't had serious TOFP for many months now (knock on wood), and when I get a little achy these days an extra rest day or two seems to do the trick. By this time next year, I expect to have achieved my base fitness goals, perhaps even by the end of this year. If I haven't, I will reassess my approach. If I have, I will begin working on bonus points.

 

[barefootandagile]

I dunno, on the one hand, there's been obvious improvement in technique, especially now that I'm running a bit faster. My landing is getting pretty consistent and the gait feels smooth. Several people have said I look good, although none of them approach your coaching competence. On the other hand, most BFRers report a period of transition lasting anywhere between 2 months and 2 years. When you consider I hadn't run for seven years when I started to get back in shape in 2010, was moderately overweight at the time, and have only been running consistently for a little over a year, I think experiencing a stress reaction in my mets last year was perfectly normal and even to be expected. I haven't had serious TOFP for many months now (knock on wood), and when I get a little achy these days an extra rest day or two seems to do the trick. By this time next year, I expect to have achieved my base fitness goals, perhaps even by the end of this year. If I haven't, I will reassess my approach. If I have, I will begin working on bonus points.

That all sounds great. It is just that when I here tofp.....a red flag goes up in my brain saying technique, technique, technique,.evaluate technique perhaps one day you can post a vid of you running.....

 

[Bare Lee]

That all sounds great. It is just that when I here tofp.....a red flag goes up in my brain saying technique, technique, technique,.evaluate technique perhaps one day you can post a vid of you running.....

I think you sometimes discount the transition a lot of us have to make, regardless of technique. I'll be happy to send a vid, but first I'd like to establish what I consider a decent base, partly out of vanity, partly because I don't see much point bringing in an outside perspective until then. But I do appreciate the offer, and intend on taking you up on it.

 

[barefootandagile]

Lee,

I have taken that into account ;-)

 

[BarefootGburg]

You know, last Fall I could run consecutive days if I want to. But these days, I find myself beating up the bottom of my feet a lot. I have that morton toe thing, so the area under the middle of my foot seems to be the limiting factor - there's a callous there that squirms around and hurts like hell - it's always almost a deep blister. And then hit that callous on a little stone... Good Lord.

Lately I've been hurting my toes a lot, too. Probably I'm moving faster. No, I know I'm running faster. Running slow isn't any fun. So it's probably the take-off.

Then, of course, after a couple of days barefoot - and very sore soles, I go back to my VIVOs and my calves start cramping (note: today I VIVO'd without socks and it was much better. Socks too tight? Maybe. Decreased groundfeel? Maybe.

Much of what I run on is eroded blacktop - the tar has eroded leaving the aggregate exposed. When I hit a smooth spot (flatter, where the water hasn't coursed across it), I go "ahhh".

 

[spoonerweb]

I run consecutive days without a problem. I run pretty close to 365 days a year. I might take off one or two days a year for some odd reason.

 

[NickW]

spooner you humble me. Wow, I can't even imagine what that would be like. I hope to get to a point in the future where I can run everyday or nearly everyday without dying of pain from pf, sore soles, or this new knee pain.

 

[JosephTree]

Why do you want to run so much? It's unnatural! Do you think our ancestors ran every day? I doubt it! If daily running pleases you, good. If your body, like mine needs more time to stay sound and rebuild, let it! I run for the joy, not the discipline of it.

 

[dutchie53]

I run consecutive days without a problem. I run pretty close to 365 days a year. I might take off one or two days a year for some odd reason.

I guess that I am one of those lucky ones too that can run consecutive days. I go 2 weeks at a time than miss a couple of days due to travel, but that is about it. But in one aspect I am not like Spooner, I miss more than a couple of days per year.

 

[NickW]

JT, I love running. It makes me feel so much better and clear headed. I would be happy just to be able to run a couple miles a day nearly every day.

 

[Bare Lee]

Running everyday would be awesome. I have a friend whose brother has run at least one mile every day for over 40 years. I doubt I have the genetics for it, but it's inspiring to hear from you guys who do. If in time I find I simply can't manage to run 5-6 weeks a day, then I can always take JT's fall back position . . . win-win as they say.