Friday, April 02, 2010

How long does it take to learn to run barefoot?

Okay, foo on me for not writing for over a month.  I don't know when it happened, but something changed in my running experience.  Big change.

In the last post, I was obsessed with stretching, having correct running form, recovery time, etc.  I was about to write a post about how much concentration barefoot running takes compared with shod running.  How I don't listen to music while running because it distracts me from improving my form.  That post ain't gonna happen.

When I run now, I just run.  Shirt, shorts, and away I go.  I don't think about it.  I don't stretch before or afterwards and feel just fine.  What a difference a month can make.

So, how long did it take to learn to run barefoot?  Seems like somewhere around 3 months.

I still have things to learn.  On occasion, it feels like I'm gliding along barely touching the ground.  On other runs, I struggle.  While I don't have to think about form so much anymore, I'm much more aware of how much form matters to enjoying the run.

I don't shy away from unpaved areas, but big gravel is still a challenge.  My feet feel tough as leather (though they still look pretty normal), but an occasional rock will remind me that I'm still not invincible.  I asked my wife if she wanted to feel my feet.  For some reason, she declined.

I'm looking forward to the next three months.