Barefoot Bit: The Runs

Ok, this week wasn’t so good when it comes to my barefoot runs. I am going to week two again. Sorry!

I ran once this week in my FiveFingers. 18 minutes (2 minutes running, 1 minute walking x6), 1.5 miles.

In February during marathon training, I started having trouble with the tendon on the top of my right foot, and it was bothering me this week for some reason. A few days off of running and it’s feeling fine now. So, instead of jumping to week 3, I’ll repeat week two—rather be safe than sorry!!

So that’s the lesson I learned from my runs this week. Don’t be proud. Actually, in Barefoot Running Michael Sandler quotes Scott McLean: “Barefoot running is running without pride!” But that is true of all running, too!

Barefoot Bit: Softball

Softball?!

That’s right: softball. Running not my first love, softball is. I was raised in a family that lives and breathes baseball. My dad didn’t want me playing baseball, so I played softball, and I was ok with it!

Now back to running. As I was reading some more of Barefoot Running he obviously stresses running on your forefoot instead of your heel. He talked about the phrase “on your toes” signifying alertness. No one runs to stop their child from walking out into a road on their heels. Nope. You keep on your toes. Your toes are your body’s natural spring, and when you run on your heels you actually are “putting on the brakes”.

When I started getting serious about distance running a few years ago, I would occasionally compare it to the sprinting I did in softball. I knew I was running differently, but I assumed that was because I was a sprinter then and a distance runner now.

Now I have a different perspective. The same drills and advice my dad gave me as my softball coach are in this book! When it came to fielding he would shout out, “Abby! On your toes!” You can’t chase balls and get the out if you’re running flatfooted. Plus, keeping your body on your toes before the ball is hit gives you an advantage.

Also, for those of you who are interested in the sport, another tip is NOT to keep your hands on your knees. Keep your glove down and stay on your toes!

Some drills!

• Back alley sprints: My dad would have me do sprints in the alley behind our garage. I would sprint and he would say, “I can still hear you.” If you keep on your toes, the quieter you will be. Loud steps are not fast steps. Long strides are not fast strides. Keep on your “springs” (toes), and use short, light strides. Your body works less to make you go faster.
• Sand Sprints: Next time you’re at the beach, or a muddy trail, take the opportunity to get dirty. If you are keeping on your toes, your calves will end up covered in wet sand or mud. Yes, when you are raised with boys, beach vacays are spent sprinting up and down the beach. However, this is how we learned that my little brother runs flatfooted and we worked to correct it.

But aside from being quiet, running on your forefoot lets your foot absorb the impact instead of transferring it up to the knee, hips and spine. I spoke about this more in my last Barefoot Essentials post. But anyhow, keeping on the forefoot and taking shorter strides is the key to lessening the impact on your body.

In the 1960’s Olympic marathon winner, Abebe Bikala, ran that marathon barefoot. It was actually an accident because his sponsor sent him the wrong size shoes. The next Olympics he ran in shoes, and although he ran it 3 minutes faster, he ended up with many stress fractures. Running barefoot kept his strides light. Running in shoes, he lengthened his stride (and hit the ground harder because he lost the sensation on the bottom of his feet) which changed the way his body absorbed the impact.

See the difference?

Miss the first Bare{foot} Essentials? Read it here!

P.S. My dad isn’t one of those dads. He helped me with running and softball because I wanted to be better. He never put expectations on me or made me afraid of letting him down. He is definitely the best coach I’ve ever had!