Hello from UK

Nerobot

Barefooters
Jun 8, 2014
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Hi,

I had my first attempt at barefoot running yesterday and it was more eventful than I expected.

Path was pretty hot which hurt more than I expected and gave some huge blisters on my right foot after 15 minutes. So I then stopped to walk home and stubbed my big right toe on the pavement.

Got some interesting looks walking back with a small trail of blood behind me.

Hopefully next attempt will go a bit easier.

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Hi,

I had my first attempt at barefoot running yesterday and it was more eventful than I expected.

Path was pretty hot which hurt more than I expected and gave some huge blisters on my right foot after 15 minutes. So I then stopped to walk home and stubbed my big right toe on the pavement.

Got some interesting looks walking back with a small trail of blood behind me.

Hopefully next attempt will go a bit easier.

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Hi Nerobot,

Welcome to the BRS - though from above, it has not been a very good introduction!

There are a lot more knowledgeable people than me here that will maybe advise you in this thread, but if this was your first barefoot run, and you ran for 15 minutes, I think this was way too much too soon. Many people only run a few yards on their first barefoot run. I ran for about 3 minutes. It is doing too much too soon (TMTS) that causes problems. I know from experience. I did it. I suffered from Achilles Tendonitis, top of foot pain (TOFP) and trapped nerves from doing too much too soon last year :(

Take it slow mate. You have made the right choice to try it, and I guarantee that you will love doing it when you can do it without problems.

BTW - where are you in the UK? Please join the UK Chapter here: http://www.thebarefootrunners.org/social-forums/united-kingdom.65/ and add yourself to the Member Map here: http://www.thebarefootrunners.org/memberMap/

I am in Chepstow, South Wales.

Cheers,

Paul
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Nero:

Welcome to the crew - we're glad you've joined us.

My soldier side wants to say "Hooah!" My smart side agrees with Paul and with my experience. I stress-fractured the third metatarsal head in my left foot doing too much too soon, in addition to some good toe stubs, lots of blisters and lost skin (from heat and friction) and one bamboo-stubble underfoot piercing when I had to quickly leave the edge of a road when a car wasn't watching.

The best thing you can do is to stay barefoot, go slow and short with a recovery day following each BF running day, and stick with it. You'll build quickly and it is loads more fun than running shod once you get acclimated.

Phil
 
Hi guys. Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Foot feels OK now, but I think I'll try and give myself a much more gentle introduction to barefoot running in the future.

Don't really mind taking it slow but forgot to bring running shoes with me on work trip so thought what the hell...

I'm currently living in Glasgow and will look into the UK Chapter.
 
Well after a week of resting my feet they felt much better and all the blisters healed nicely.

Today I decided to try again but this time to take things much more slowly.

I went for a normal 35 minute run (wearing my normal running shoes) but half way through swapped to barefoot for just 1 minute.

Seemed OK and no blisters this time. I'll now take the advice of slowly increasing the barefoot running time over time.

Just wish I had some light weight running shoes as looked a bit daft running barefoot while holding running shoes in hands!
 
Welcome, Nerobot!
 
Welcome, Nerobot!

"That which does not kill. . ." :cool:
 
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