Let’s talk about failure.

What exactly is failure?

Is it getting a DNF because you break your foot half way into a race?

Or is failure not taking the time to care for your body during training which led to the stress fracture.

I’m going to say the latter.

Here’s another thing that I consider failure:

Writing a barefoot/minimalist running blog and not running bare not minimal for the past 3 weeks.

Say it with me, EPIC FAIL.

After last week’s Bare{foot} Essentials Post I had the best of intentions to whip out my Vibram FiveFingers and go on a 3 mile run Friday morning. Unfortunately, it was raining and I haven’t quite figured out how to handle VFF runs in the rain.

Why? Because of blisters.

For awhile, every time I ran in my VFFs, I came back with disgusting blisters. I would pop them and then let them callous, only to get another blister on my next run.

And then I discovered Gold Bond.

This stuff should be a barefoot runner’s best friend. Or products like it. Ashley uses climbing chalk which is cheaper, but I haven’t been to REI in a long time (but next time I go, I will pick some up).

This has stopped the blister drama altogether, but I have no idea what to do whenever it rains! I plan on getting some of the toe socks to help this problem and during the winter, but I haven’t yet. So until I get the socks, or someone gives me some priceless advice, I’ll remain a fair weather VFF runners.

Now there’s something else that I want to throw out there to you all. You see, I am just one runner and my experience with barefoot and VFF running is very limited, so these posts are lacking in good barefoot running advice and insight. So,

I would like any and all barefoot or minimalist runners to submit their stories to me to be feature on the Bare{foot} Essentials.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

• When did you start running?
• What led you to barefoot/minimalist running?
• What do you love about it (If anything)? What do you hate about it (if anything)?
• What advice would you give to someone looking into barefoot/minimalist running?

However you are not limited by the above questions. Really, I just want your stories. It always amazes me the reasons why people start trying minimalist running…and everyone’s story is unique. Also, don’t feel like you have to be a proponent for it, perhaps you tried it and hated it. All I want is to feature perspectives from different people regarding minimalist running.

Email your barefoot running stories to me at abby.normally.blog[at]gmail.com. There’s no length requirements.  And you can include pictures, too. The only requirement is that you write from your heart… and that you keep the language clean.

Oh, and spread the word!

For the rest of you…ever feel like a failure?

I hate to say that I’m no stranger to that feeling. But I try to adjust my attitude because I don’t have much control over my circumstances! I firmly believe that ALL things work for the good.

Other Bare{foot} Essentials Posts:

The Bare{foot} Essentials I
The Bare{foot} Essentials II
The Bare{foot} Essentials III
The Bare{foot} Essentials IV
The Bare{foot} Essentials V
The Bare{foot} Essentials VI
The Bare{foot} Essentials VII
The Bare{foot} Essentials VIII
The Bare{foot} Essentials IX
The Bare{foot} Essentials X
The Bare{foot} Essentials XI
The Bare{foot} Essentials XII