March 11 - 17

I learned more this week about running than I have ever known. I finished Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton's book, Barefoot Running: Step by Step, and the simple information as it applies to running has so far caused a breakthrough!

Barefoot Ken Bob is a preeminent advisor on barefooting, author of the first website on barefoot running, Running Barefoot, and guru on proper running form and economy. I won't preach the virtues of running barefoot here, but what Ken Bob teaches is form, economy, technique, and mental adjustment. There are many forms of advice, but he delivers his simply and with a conciseness that even the most stubborn shod runner shouldn't ignore. If you want to get over an injury, run injury free, he has the answers.

I am also lucky enough to work in the same building as another legend in barefoot running, Barefoot Rick. He has run more mile barefoot than anyone in documented history. I see him running along the campus regularly...even in the snow. His website contains valuable information as well. I am thrilled that a legend in barefoot running is willing to be so accessible.

So what did I learn? I learned that I don't run correctly. Yes, yes, I've heard we are all an experiment of one. That's nice. But human beings are all alike, for the most part. So the baseline for the "experiment of one" is the same.

• Run with your knees bent.
• Run relaxed
• Run tall from the waist up
• Run from your haunches (like a cat)
• 180 cadence is great
• If you feel pain, then you need to adjust what you are doing

So why can't we do this with shoes? You probably can, but the feedback you receive wearing shoes is minimal. The foot provides more feedback than my wife after a long day. What feedback? Well, check out Ken Bob's and Rick's websites, and buy the book...then you will know.

Results
My Monday and Wednesday runs hurt. My Achilles was aching terribly. Walking hurt too. Then, Wednesday night, I started reading "Barefoot Running: Step by Step". Then I ran on Friday. Barefoot. No pain in my Achilles. Bliss!

I am not naive enough to think I am miraculously healed. I still need to stretch my calf muscles and Achilles. But, running with the correct form and technique, which cannot be simulated in shoes or Vibrams, is the only way to maximize my running longevity. It does require a bit of humility. Some folks' egos are simply too broad to let them try. But mine isn't. I care about running. I care about being healthy. So I will let my feet do the rest of the talking.

Monday: 1.3 miles in VFF Bikila - road; 1 hour on bike trainer
Tuesday: Core and strength
Wednesday: 2.6 miles in VFF Bilila - road; Core and strength
Thursday: 45 min. on bike trainer; Core and strength
Friday: 1.3 miles barefoot - road; 1 hour on bike trainer
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Rest

 

Total running miles: 5.2