Hi all. Another Bristol person.

Hulahooper

Barefooters
Jul 18, 2014
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Hey, glad to be here.

Avid runner and hula hooper. Back story is missed nearly 2 years of running due to hip bursa pain and l4/l5/s1 disc pain. Diagnosis of elements of hypermobility and stupidly high arched soles. Was advised the obvious support shoe and told not to be barefoot. Was allowed to restrt runnjg in march.

Have been reading and researching and am beginning to wonder if barefoot is actually the way forward!!! (And it's right up my street with all my natural living preferences!) :-D

So have drawn up an action plan and going to give it a shot, taking it steady and listening to my body.

Although currently taking a break due to shin splints which I've never had to deal with before.

Thanks for having me here, I'm excited about this journey.
 
Welcome!
 
Welcome Hulahooper! There's a few of us in the South West now. We will have to organise a group run one day :)
 
Welcome HH! My wife was born in Bristol, though I've not been there yet myself.

Good luck with the hypermobility thing. It sounds like the hulahooping might be some sort of contributing factor there, but what do I know?

Shin splints often indicate that you might have been leaning too far forward. I imagine myself running with a golden thread running with a bit of tension from my sacrum, through my spine out the top of my head and straight up into the sky. That and keep your stride fast and short.

Cheers!
 
Hi, and welcome!
I used to have shin splints, took a two week break, then I started walking barefoot on the threadmill (winters are pretty cold over here) and began running in minimalist shoes and working my way back up slowly again. To this day, I have never had shin splints again. So I think rehabilitating the weak muscles in your leg might do some good. Just make sure to build it up slowly and you should be fine. And remember, listen to your body and ask plenty of questions here!
 
Thanks guys. Joseph tree, oddly enough, hooping helps. It strengthens the core immensely. Love your signature btw.

The shin splints appeared when as a heel striker I tried to up my pace in two weeks from 12 min mile to 9 min mile. Fail! Lol. Taking it much steadier and giving up worrying about speed, just enjoying the run. :-D
 
Thanks guys. Joseph tree, oddly enough, hooping helps. It strengthens the core immensely. Love your signature btw.. :-D


Hmmm. Maybe I just think too much about what my stiff old bones would do if I tried to do that. It wouldn't be pretty. Not at all.
 
Can someone point me in the way of a training schedule/plan for becoming a barefoot runner? Have tried searching but nothing is coming up.
Start slow, keep it easy and stop when you feel the need.
I don't "do" training plans myself but the outline above has worked for a number of us. I'd certainly not recommend getting caught up with the idea of trying to attain a certain pace as, I believe, that way lies perdition :p
Keep every step fun and you'll be fine - speed comes with experience.
(Short, quick steps and relaxed knees and ankles are key)
 
Can someone point me in the way of a training schedule/plan for becoming a barefoot runner? Have tried searching but nothing is coming up.


Not much as a plan, but you can try running on asphalt or any harsh surface, start with 1km, if you feel comfortable keep going, if not, stop! and rest the next day, keep it that way until you can run more and more.

A good advice is to frequently stop 1 or 2 minutes to feel your soles and body, sometimes when you are running won’t feel the pain until you relax a bit.

When you feel comfortable enough increase your distance no more than 10% per week (at least at the beginning).


Everyone is different, maybe you can run 5Km today with no problem, maybe you get blisters just around the corner, remember that blisters, hotspot or any pain (lesion) is not correct, stop for that day.

Good luck!
 
Hey, glad to be here.

Avid runner and hula hooper. Back story is missed nearly 2 years of running due to hip bursa pain and l4/l5/s1 disc pain. Diagnosis of elements of hypermobility and stupidly high arched soles. Was advised the obvious support shoe and told not to be barefoot. Was allowed to restrt runnjg in march.

.

Wow! your back/hip problems are the exact replica of mine and there is no way I am going to be hoola hoopling- - -NO WAY:inpain:
As far as running BF just start slowly and short distances and let your body guide you.

Welcome!!
 
Oh wow. Do you have the same diagnosis? Hoop dance is more than just the traditional hoop on your waist movement if that helps. :)

I'd love to hear how barefoot has helped/changed the pain for you if you feel you can share at some point.
 
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Oh wow. Do you have the same diagnosis? Hoop dance is more than just the traditional hoop on your waist movement if that helps. :)

I'd love to hear how barefoot has helped/changed the pain for you if you feel you can share at some point.
Well I have spondylolisthesis in L4/L5 and a buldging disc, a cyst in the SI joint and I got hip bursa when I fell of my bike, the bursa is better now but not 100%.
About hooping I am not so sure if I want to do it because my back is so unstable that I am affraid to try it for fear of making things worse. But I am really happy for you that you're able to do it.
Yes please try running barefoot for me it doesn't make my pain worse.
Running barefoot puts much less strain on your joints since your foot landing is much, much softer. Try it and you won't be sorry.
 
I've done alot of miles barefoot on a variety of surfaces. Recently, I started walking the dogs while wearing a heavy backpack. I have not seen as rapid foot development and conditioning as I do now, with the backpack.

I started this process with bunions and weak feet, so I don't have any regrets about my slow progress over the years. However, I am certainly glad about discovering walking barefoot while carrying stuff!
 
I've done alot of miles barefoot on a variety of surfaces. Recently, I started walking the dogs while wearing a heavy backpack. I have not seen as rapid foot development and conditioning as I do now, with the backpack.

I started this process with bunions and weak feet, so I don't have any regrets about my slow progress over the years. However, I am certainly glad about discovering walking barefoot while carrying stuff!
I might actually give this a shot. How heavy should the backpack be?
 
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