Hello,
I am new to the forum and fairly new to barefoot running (well VFFs - I think they are classed as minimalist?) and although I got my VFFs in January, I have only started to get motivated and find time in the last 6 weeks.
I am still taking it very slow (and I mean painstakingly slow 9 minutes per Km, (doing 4k this week)urugh...) as I am interval training (well walking and jogging off road/trails). I suffered for 3 years from bad shin splints and am determined to finally be rid. After several pairs of shoes and 6 months of physio failed to help, I picked up on the fact that my physio told me I was a forefoot striker and should be running heel-toe, when trying this didn't work and I got to the end of my NHS Physio allowance, I decided - why change how I naturally run? I think perhaps forefoot striking in motion control uber padded Asics may have been the start of it...
Anyway, so until 6 weeks ago I hadn't run for 18 months, this year I have been swimming a lot (currently 1mile 3 times a week) and cycling. I have done a triathlon before and loved it, but the shin splints were the reason I have not done any more, so my main aim for next year is to do some barefoot tri's, oh and my friend has roped me into a London to Brighton Cycle ride too...!
I really hope to do the Newbury Parkrun in the new year - when I really REALLY hope my legs will let me run a continuous 5k. I currently stop whenever I feel a niggle, but niggles in my shins are becoming less and less frequent. Unfortunately I strained (only slightly) a hamstring after swimming a couple of weeks ago, so that's slowed me down a bit for now!
Anyway, sorry for the essay! If you have read this far - thanks!
And it will be nice to speak to some other barefoot runners, as I currently know none! (I am also currently reading Born To Run and really enjoying it )
I am new to the forum and fairly new to barefoot running (well VFFs - I think they are classed as minimalist?) and although I got my VFFs in January, I have only started to get motivated and find time in the last 6 weeks.
I am still taking it very slow (and I mean painstakingly slow 9 minutes per Km, (doing 4k this week)urugh...) as I am interval training (well walking and jogging off road/trails). I suffered for 3 years from bad shin splints and am determined to finally be rid. After several pairs of shoes and 6 months of physio failed to help, I picked up on the fact that my physio told me I was a forefoot striker and should be running heel-toe, when trying this didn't work and I got to the end of my NHS Physio allowance, I decided - why change how I naturally run? I think perhaps forefoot striking in motion control uber padded Asics may have been the start of it...
Anyway, so until 6 weeks ago I hadn't run for 18 months, this year I have been swimming a lot (currently 1mile 3 times a week) and cycling. I have done a triathlon before and loved it, but the shin splints were the reason I have not done any more, so my main aim for next year is to do some barefoot tri's, oh and my friend has roped me into a London to Brighton Cycle ride too...!
I really hope to do the Newbury Parkrun in the new year - when I really REALLY hope my legs will let me run a continuous 5k. I currently stop whenever I feel a niggle, but niggles in my shins are becoming less and less frequent. Unfortunately I strained (only slightly) a hamstring after swimming a couple of weeks ago, so that's slowed me down a bit for now!
Anyway, sorry for the essay! If you have read this far - thanks!
And it will be nice to speak to some other barefoot runners, as I currently know none! (I am also currently reading Born To Run and really enjoying it )