Dumb-Dumby-Dumb Dumb

I wish I had access to smooth surfaces, nice grass and nice sandy or dirt trails. Instead I have access to a really great track and sharp pointy tar or nice cement, and rolling grass with who-knows-what in it. Well I bought the book Barefoot Running: A step by Step guide and didn't realize I am doing things backwards, maybe not WRONG, but definitely backwards. I should have went from shoes to barefeet to five fingers. Instead I ditched the shoes gradually worked into the five fingers and now and am working on barefooting. Even starting on the track isn't recommended since you aren't getting the "feel" of the ground, connecting with it and what not. So on Tuesday I took off my vibrams and went for a barefoot-no-holds-barred run. Out in the open, free feet on the pavement on the sharp tar and the roads and cut up concrete, jumping on the grass every once in a while and enjoying it. I did have a TINGE on pain in my second toe but didn't stop I just figured I ran over a rock. I ran my usual run (about 4 miles) and towards mile 4 I did stop to examine where the tinge of pain was...and it was definitely bloody. I was pushing off on my toes, something that will give you blood blisters the size of dimes on the front of your toes, but only the second two toes. I do notice on both pair of five fingers that this part of my shoes is worn off, so I have to work on curling my toes up! Well I know my homework and I will work on this, maybe a barefoot marathon is in the future? Who knows?

Bare-footing

SO like I said I have been gradually increasing the amount of time and distance I am running non-shod. Last week I spent a good amount of time at the track banging out about 3 miles in total. I did some speed work as well as some slower pace work. I did some wind sprints on the fantastic artificial turf (really does a HS NEED that?) Anyways all in all I did get some weird looks and a few whispers as I passed by people but no questions. At one point I noticed two kids who were playing Lacrosse decide that they wanted to run barefoot and took their shoes off to give it a try. That didn't last long. I also have been running more in my KSO's than in my Bikilas and have noticed quite a difference. When in my bikilas I think I tend to land on a flatter foot than with the KSOs. I am sure it is due to the heel to toe drop and the fact that the Bikilas have those "foot pods." One thing I am loving is just running in the KSOs, and unfortunately I have a small hole growing in the left toe of my KSOs :( Oh well just means I can get a new pair to break in! I am sure I will run these right in the ground, and for now I will. I need to start some longer runs (longer then 8 miles.) The heat and humidity are just SOOOOO terrible these days. Well that is all for now!