Hello From Bromsgrove, UK

Dafunk

Barefooters
Mar 15, 2014
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Hi,

As a complete novice to running in general (more of a cyclist) i have decided that it would be a great incentve for myself to do a triathalon next year. I started to research running technique and stumbled across barefoot running and it sounded like the right thing to do. Being on the heavier side (200 lbs 6ft) i thought i would need shoes to help with cushioning the impact but reading a few sites on barefoot running is that the case? I thought that as i have not started running yet i have no technique to try to correct to adopt barefoot running so it would be easier to learn to run barefoot.

i have been to my local running shop and had my gait tested and found out that my left side overpronates quite badly and was told to wear running shoes to correct this. they suggested Brooks Adrenaline GTS.

If anyone can give me some tips or suggestions to get me started that would be great.
 
The folks that do the analytics are the same ones who sell shoes. Be skeptical of them more than of the guys who tell you you are created to walk and run without equipment. I did too much too soon, doing a mile barefoot in my first week, and got blistered up on the concrete. Take it slow and easy and short for the first bit, and don't push too hard. That is the advice I should have heeded.

From another newbie, Welcome to the community!
 
Run far away from motion control shoes. You'll find running BF that what running shoe manufacturers often dub as "overpronation" is usually normal BF running form. There is such a thing as overpronation, but it is very rare and would have to be very accentuated while BF to make much difference in my experience. I was dubbed a "serious overpronator" and have no issues whatsoever with pronation while BF running. Your weight will definitely be much less of a factor when running BF. Just do like TMo says and start slow and short distances (1/2 mile or so) with a rest (no running) day after every day you run. Welcome to the crew!
 
We have lots of folks who are overweight and run barefoot just fine.

Since you are untainted by running in the typical running shoes, then you will do better than those of us who had to transition from shod to barefoot.

Get out there and have fun, and let us know how you are doing. Ask lots of questions too.
 
I was 100kg something when I started BF running. I was not a runner before then either. Like everyone else says above, take it slow and enjoy it
 
Welcome Dafunk .....

Like everyone says it is the best way but slow inrtoduction is the key... I read "Barefoot running step by step" by Ken bob Saxton look at his we site www.barefootrunning.com . Im still a novice having ran for years and years in typical shoes Im now runnnig long distance in excess of 12 miles in minamalist shoes and total barefoot or with Sockwa G4's up to 6 miles. I find frequent short runs definatly help refine your technique, if not your in danger of hurting your calfs and they will take time to heal.
Good luck
 
Hi,

As a complete novice to running in general (more of a cyclist) i have decided that it would be a great incentve for myself to do a triathalon next year. I started to research running technique and stumbled across barefoot running and it sounded like the right thing to do. Being on the heavier side (200 lbs 6ft) i thought i would need shoes to help with cushioning the impact but reading a few sites on barefoot running is that the case? I thought that as i have not started running yet i have no technique to try to correct to adopt barefoot running so it would be easier to learn to run barefoot.

i have been to my local running shop and had my gait tested and found out that my left side overpronates quite badly and was told to wear running shoes to correct this. they suggested Brooks Adrenaline GTS.

If anyone can give me some tips or suggestions to get me started that would be great.

I was 340 lbs (lol you are waaaay better shape) when I started. I probably looked pitiful, but I was having fun even though I ran slower than my wife walked. Moral of the story is barefoot was fun, just do it, have fun, and listen to your feet. If it hurts stop!

TJ Morris
 
Hi,

As a complete novice to running in general (more of a cyclist) i have decided that it would be a great incentve for myself to do a triathalon next year. I started to research running technique and stumbled across barefoot running and it sounded like the right thing to do. Being on the heavier side (200 lbs 6ft) i thought i would need shoes to help with cushioning the impact but reading a few sites on barefoot running is that the case? I thought that as i have not started running yet i have no technique to try to correct to adopt barefoot running so it would be easier to learn to run barefoot.

i have been to my local running shop and had my gait tested and found out that my left side overpronates quite badly and was told to wear running shoes to correct this. they suggested Brooks Adrenaline GTS.

If anyone can give me some tips or suggestions to get me started that would be great.
It seems to me that the heavier you are, the more you will benefit from barefoot running; as more of your natural spring mechanisms are brought into play, you'll lessen the impact.

I'm 6'1" or so, and bounce between 210 and 240 lbs. I've run up to 16 miles without any problem. The extra weight, whether fat or muscle, will slow you down, but it shouldn't impact your ability to run. Like everyone has said, just take it slow in the beginning, and make sure to stretch or massage your lower leg (front and back) and feet if they feel the least bit tight, or if the tendons in your feet and ankles feel sore. Also, squats and deadlifts, among other strength training exercises, will help support your running and help you carry the extra weight. All the best!
 
Particular to the triathlon, when I did my first sprint tri after about a year of nearly total barefoot running, I found that something about being that tired at the end of the race made me end up with some, but very minimal blisters. This even though I had run far longer distances barefoot than the 3.1 at the end of the tri. Just be aware and make sure that you do your brick training, so that you will get used to how tired your legs feel (and how it can affect your running form) after biking. Still, I am of the opinion that being barefoot made the run easier than it would have been.:barefoot:
 
Happy Laura is right - I too get sloppy the further I go and the the more tired I become. Sloppy for me translates into skin loss. The farther I go, the more intently I have to focus on form.
One thing I've found useful sometimes is to consciously up my cadence when I feel fatigued, as well as try to bend my knees/sink my hips down a bit. This transfers energy expended from force application to muscle activation, and also helps keep form in check and feet lifting properly off the ground. When I'm running unfatigued, however, I don't find any conscious manipulation necessary.
 
When you think about it there's a lot going on... we have all spent may many year "shod" barefoot is great but needs the respcet and body conditioning it truley deserves to be sucessfull. Like eveyone who has commented while Im still learning and pushing too hard sometimes you can feel the fatiuge setting in it normaly happens on my left side and my heel starts to strike. I have to reassess getting back to a concious good technique.
 
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I was 340 lbs (lol you are waaaay better shape) when I started. I probably looked pitiful, but I was having fun even though I ran slower than my wife walked. Moral of the story is barefoot was fun, just do it, have fun, and listen to your feet. If it hurts stop!

TJ Morris


I still run slower than my wife can walk, its not that I'm slow, its just that she walks extremelly fast! really really fast. :facepalm: she's a demon walker!

Welcome Dafunk.
 
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