Last night at Namban’s monthly 5k time trial I achieved a new personal best, completing 12½ laps of the track in 22 minutes, 9 seconds, and 54 milliseconds, beating my previous time by 17 seconds. And I did it barefoot.
Like a lot of people I was inspired by Christopher McDougall’s book Born to Run to give barefoot running a try, and I like it. I usually do part of Namban’s training sessions barefoot, and when I go running on my own I usually take off my shoes for the last kilometer or so on the way home. I do sometimes wonder what people make of the guy in running gear carrying a pair of perfectly good shoes though!
While the skin on the bottom of my toes felt a bit sensitive after running 5k, the rest of my body felt better. I get lots of aches and pains from running, usually around my shins, ankles, and instep. When I go barefoot, however, I don’t tend to get so many. The only issue is that the soles of my feet haven’t hardened up enough yet.
Less pain is good, but aside from that I feel freer while running without shoes. It feels good to have your feet hit the ground unencumbered by shoes. Even minimalist running shoes like Five Fingers or less cushioned sneakers like the Adizero Japan feel chunky and inhibiting. Running barefoot feels so much freer.
A large part of the reason I run is because it is time off from the world. Sometimes it is just a slog or tedium, but there are moments of achievement, or moments that manage to get me out of myself, away from this world of routine, stress, and everyday life.
Somehow running without shoes seems to help that process. It feels good to feel the texture of the ground, to feel the temperature of the surface, with no layer of leather, plastic, or padding in between.
After the run, on Laci’s suggestion I walked across the cool grass in the center of the track. It felt like a massage. Going barefoot and feeling the ground beneath our feet is something very simple, but something that we have lost touch with in this world of leather office shoes, multi-colored running shoes, and a type of shoe for every situation in-between.
It puts us in touch with the ground beneath our feet, but it puts us in touch with more than that. I’m still trying to figure out exactly what that is.
A 5K PB barefoot is awesome. And you looked good doing it! (Caroline and I were running a little ways behind you.)
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob. At some stage I'd like to do a race barefoot, maybe a 5k or 10k, but I'll need to toughen up my feet more before that.
ReplyDeleteNow all you need is a spear and a grass skirt and your set
ReplyDeletehehe (^0^)
Actually I'm trying to sleep without a mattress now..not exactly what you are doing but I feel like it's somewhat similar. They say it's good for your body to align itself naturally. Plus I have been getting a lot of allergies from the futons that they have here. At this point I rather freeze to death. Anyways I'm digressing like hell so I'll stop there...bored? NO I'm not bored!!
Hey there!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see you are still running!!
Exercise is definitely the best way to stay healthy and to de-stress!!
I guess I should try to do more exercise too...
But I know what u mean about going barefoot. I really miss walking on the grass or sand barefeet and wiggling my toes!!
There are a few Japanese singers who go on stage barefoot when singing because it gives them stability and energy, the say.
So going barefoot is GOOD!!
@Noodlefingers - I hope the mattress-less sleeping is working out for you, and that you are not so bored anymore. If so, why not try some barefoot running outside?
ReplyDelete@Kaputanchan - You don't to miss walking barefoot - just take off your shoes and do it! Do it!!!
I didn't know about singers performing barefoot, that is interesting. Maybe I should try that at karaoke sometime..