Please, oh please don't let it be...

... a stress fracture. That's right. Only a few days after I blogged about finally feeling an intense love of running, I feel a little twinge of pain on the top of my left foot. Not enough to cause me to cry or curse or stop running.

And then, of course, that pain got a little stronger and a little more intense. If this had happened a year ago, when I was running in shoes, I would have forged on -- a little discomfort wasn't going to stop me (I was already in constant pain; a little more wasn't going to break the camel's back). But this is now, where I'm a barefootin' girl and I can't afford to hurt my precious feet. So, I backed off running for about 5 days and stuck my foot in a bucket of ice & water (how, I wonder, do athletes SIT in ice baths without going absolutely mad?).

I'm thinkin' that a few things contributed to this pain:

1. I did a pretty fast workout on the treadmill the week before the foot started to talk to me. For some reason, I feel like I'm flying when I do anything on the treadmill, and I know that I don't pay nearly as much attention to my form when I'm running on it. I can definitely say that I was pounding harder on my feet during that workout than I should have been.
   
2. I wore heels for about 6 hours straight soon after my treadmill workout. Super. Stupid. Idea. Ok, ok, I have to say that they are cute heels and they totally completed the outfit. A girl can't let herself totally go when she starts tickling the pavement with her baresies (is that a real word?). But back to the point...my feet aren't used to that much altitude.

I'm really hoping that this isn't a stress fracture. I've never had one, so I dont' know how they are supposed to feel. But what I do know is that the pain isn't super intense, so I'm going to take it easy and ice a lot to see if that will help. I did a "maintenance" run this morning (a short and sweet 22 minutes) and things felt in good order. Will keep you posted on how the foot heals (fingers crossed).

I'm back!

I think I am officially back as a runner and that is so exciting! How, you ask, does one know if you can officially call yourself a runner? Let me count the ways:

1. I rarely sleep in on the weekends anymore -- those beautiful morning hours are definitely for training, whether that be a long run or a long ride.
2. When I began packing to go home for the holidays, I knew I had to make room for my running clothes. Regardless of whether I run once or each day I'm there, I know I'm going to need those clothes. That makes me happy.
3. I have a small tennis ball under my desk at work. What is it for, you ask? Don't tell my boss, but I take my shoes off every now and again and massage my feet with the ball. Not only does it feel good, but it also helps to strengthen my toes and feet. Have you ever tried picking up a tennis ball with your feet? It's not as easy as you might think.
4. I have a million water bottles. They are in my car, at my desk and in my room. And then of course, there are the ones I run with and ride with. They are pink, orange, green and Stanford-tree adorned. One can never have enough water (or water bottles).
5. This morning, my back split from my out-and-back run was faster than my out split. I was moving really, really well and had found a great breathing rhythm. Totally clearing your mind and only focusing on the one step to one breath ratio is liberating. There's almost nothing that feels better.
   

It's been a while since I've felt this good about running and about being a runner. And I'm lovin' where I'm at.

Welcome, December

Wow, it's been two months since I've last posted. I'm trying to wrack my brain to see what might have happened in those 60 days that would be interesting to put down in a blog post...let's just go with a nice little list this time.

1. It's been chilly here in Redondo Beach for the last week.

Good things:

• Snuggling deep into my down comforter
• It finally feels like the holiday season
• There's just something about digging out the warm running clothes that makes me happy. I heart my knit cap and pink running jacket.
  
• Seeing my breath when I go out reminds me of home

Bad things:

• It is SO hard to get out of bed in the morning
• Because I don't get out of bed, I feel guilty for not running
• I hate feeling guilty

2. Because I felt guilty yesterday for not getting up in the morning to run before work (see above), I ran on the treadmill at the office gym during lunch. I've done this before, but for some reason, this time was different. I was in my Vibrams, but my toes still felt like they were getting "burned." They were warm to the touch and were a little buffed up afterward. Not sure what that's about, but figure I should probably lay off the treadmill for a bit (maybe it will make me get up the morning. Maybe.).


3. To my excitement, I have found that my feet can sustain running two days in a row. Before, I was hesitant to run back-to-back because after each run, my feet were pretty tender and I didn't want to cause any damage. But after a few weeks of running two days in a row, I think that my body has adapted. I feel really good about this - I'd imagine it is how babies feel when they realize they can toddle all the way from one set of arms to the other. Just like those kiddos, my body is getting stronger.

4. I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions (it is about that time of season, right?) but I am going to make it a point in 2011 to train for and race 10k's. I've haven't done a real training regimen since running cross country in high school, but I am going to be dedicated next year to doing track workouts, going out on long Saturday runs, even fartleks if I have to. I'll try to do a post with more details about my resolutions as January gets closer.

Well, for now, I think that's all I've got. Over and out.

The Aftermath

It's all fun and games when you feel good and you're high off of the surging endorphins. But the aftermath of running semi-barefoot can be pretty ugly.

Take Exhbit A:



That is the bottom of my foot. And yes, that is a huge bruise/callus/blister on my poor big toe. I have one on the other foot as well (I figured you didn't need to see both of my ugly feet and instead could use your imagination).

Now, I had been getting these types of blisters in that exact same spot since I started running in the Vibrams. Most of the time, they would heal in a day or two and then, inevitably, would reappear the next time I ran. They normally aren't painful either. But after the 10K this weekend, these puppies were screaming for relief. They basically felt like a huge bruise on the bottom of your foot that yelps every time you take a step. I took a few days off to let them heal and they are actually back to normal again.

I think I am getting them because I am landing hard on that area. At the race, there were a couple of downhill parts (which I'm not used to) so that definitely contributed. I am going to be making a conscious effort to try not to land on that part of my foot and instead land more flat-footed and distribute the force.

Exhibit B:

No, this is not part of my body, but it has become my new best friend. It is The Stick, which is a do-it-yourself massage tool. And let me tell you, my calves sing its praises.

Let's just say that my calves are so tight that they cringe every time they see a staircase. I went out for a run this morning and only made it about 10 minutes out before they were crying out in agony. They were so tight that I thought they were going to pull my foot all the way up my leg. They were balled up and didn't want to let any tension out. When I got home, I massaged them out and while they did feel better, they are definitely still tight.

Here's a close up of The Stick cuz I just like it so much:

I need to make a conscious effort to stretch and massage my calves every single day, several times a day. What do I do when I sit in front of the TV after sitting in front of a computer all day? Nothing. What should I be doing? Massaging my calves. I'm sure they'll thank me for it later.

Getting From There to Here

After the mile three water stop, I was in the groove. I was striding well, hit a cadence and was breathing consistently and smoothly. Soon after that, I'm pretty sure I toyed with the line of "the zone," that magic place that runners love to go (besides the local running shop).

I ran the Manhattan Beach 10K this morning and I felt awesome! I finished in a time of 47:41 and after a cruise through the race results, found out that I was 4th in my age group and 419 out of 3555 runners - wow! The coursed meandered through parts of Manhattan Beach and then we hit The Strand for the last mile (after a nice little hill). It was an absolutely perfect day to run -- probably mid-60s at the start, overcast and there were even some raindrops at the end!

This was a big race for me for a lot of reasons:

1. I had never run a 10K before. I've done my fair share of 5K's, but never the 6.2 mile distance. Since I started running barefoot, I've only done three training runs that were over 6 miles, so that is one of the reasons that I feel like I can pat myself on the back.
2. On those long runs, I had been accompanied by a friend of a lot of runners -- Mr. iPod. There's no denying that music while running can be very helpful, and that is why I had been using it on my long runs. But today at the race, I decided to forgo the iPod. I was a little worried that I wouldn't have that same pep in my step without Carrie Underwood and Alicia Keys. But I put mind over the Black Eyed Peas, which was really awesome. Once your thoughts go blank during a race, and all you are doing is checking for vital signs (what hurts, what doesn't), you don't need any bass to back you up.
3. I ran in my Vibram FiveFingers! That in itself, I think, is a huge accomplishment. I saw a few people in Vibrams, so that was comforting that I'm not the only crazy person out there.

Let me back up and say that this race, this point in my running career, the feelings that I had during the race and the high that I felt aftewards, is a long time coming. It was only a few years ago that I was in the most cushioned running shoes I could get my hands on. I had gone through three different custom-made orthotics. Doctors and running specialists said I would never be a real runner, would never be able to run and train normally. My feet were swollen all the time, my knees ached with each step forward, my mind was turning on itself and made me believe, truly, that I wasn't cut out to do what I had been doing since I was young.

Where I am now is a miraculous transformation. I am running on a regular basis, have very little pain (every runner gets aches -- mine are tight calves) and am feeling good about my abilities. My mind believes that I can go that extra 1/2 mile, can push it in at the end of a long run. The change is unbelievable.

Do These Make My Toes Look Fat?

Well, I took the next (proverbial) step in barefoot running and bought the Vibram FiveFingers. It took about 45 minutes and a very patient REI salesperson helping to find the right ones that felt good. I originally wanted the FiveFingers Sprint because they were a little less dorky looking and had a cute Mary Jane strap on the top. But when I tried them on, my feet felt scrunched in them - they were definitely not comfortable. So, the REI guy suggested I try the KSO's (Keep Stuff Out). I hemmed and hawed because those are the ones that are full cover and look more like a shoe (and stand out more). I tried one pair on and the left shoe didn't feel right. Fortunately, they had another pair so I was able to switch them out. And so, I am now the proud owner of a pair of FiveFingers (and I really do think they make my little toes look fat).

The first day I tried them out, they felt really good and natural until about the last five minutes. Then the spot where the strap connects to the shoe on the outside started to rub and I got a teeny-tiny blister on my left foot. This wasn't a huge bummer because I had been able to run longer than I had in the past (barefoot), which was a huge accomplishment for me. Another thing I noticed after a couple FF runs is that my stride is a little different than when I am truly barefoot. I think part of it is mental -- "I have a shoe on my foot, so I don't have to pay as much attention to my form and can land harder than when I am barefoot." It's an easy trap to fall into. So now that I am more comfortable in my FF (and not getting blisters), I have to make a consicous effort to think that yes, I am still "barefoot" and I need to force my body into running lightly.

I am trying to only use my FF when I want to go on longer runs (had a superb one yesterday and felt awesome). I want to continue running truly barefoot and will probably switch off the days that I go barefoot and the days I go FF.

The Next Step - Vibram FiveFingers?

I'm by no means a purist about barefoot running. I don't have any strong feelings for or against the Vibram FiveFingers, but want to do a little exploring first. I like the fact that my body is strong enough to actually run barefoot and can adapt to the changing surfaces. But I went on a run yesterday morning in the rain and I could see how the FiveFingers would come in handy -- no blisters because of the friction between your feet and the water. Right now, I don't run barefoot two consecutive days because my feet are still sensitive after the first day of being barefoot. If I had FiveFingers, I could probably run everyday, switching off between barefoot and "semi-barefoot."

Here's what people around the Interweb are saying about FiveFingers:

"My second barefoot run, on asphalt, went more poorly: I tore up the tip of my fourth toe on the rough surface and spent the rest of my (shod) run bleeding into my sock. That was enough to make the attraction of Vibram’s foot gloves clear: They give you much of the feeling of running barefoot, and give the same workout to your arches, Achilles tendons and calves — except you don’t have to worry about injuries from rough terrain."
- "To Run Better, Start by Ditching Your Nikes" by Dylan Tweney for Wired.com

"I swore I’d never wear them. We called them the Five Fingers of Suck a few years ago and I was sure they were crazy. Friends, I’m here to tell you I was wrong. And I’m sorry."
- "Review: Vibram Five Fingers Classic" by John Biggs for CrunchGear.com

"I arrive home to find the Vibram FiveFinger shoes awaiting me. They look like green rubber gloves, with individual toes and none of the padding or protection found on regular running shoes. I wrestle them on--getting each toe into its little rubber home tests the limits of my podiatric dexterity--and run with my daughters around the block...I hadn't really been aware that I had toes, but there they are, all 10 little darlings, in corpse-colored hot pockets. I vacillate between splaying them out to grab the ground and lifting them up to spare their delicate sensibilities...These odd-looking shoes are worthwhile training tools as long as I don't run too far in them. I walk through my hotel lobby, past people who studiously avoid staring--something I've grown accustomed to while wearing the FiveFingers."
- "Footloose" by Peter Sagal for Runners World


This website, Birthday Shoes, is all about the FiveFingers. There are reviews, a blog, and forum for FiveFinger wearers (users?).

My uncle recently got a pair of FiveFingers and has been trying them out. He has gone on a couple of three-mile runs with them. While he has never gone totally bare, he does say things feel good in them and that there is a free-ness to wearing the gorilla-feet-looking shoes. Maybe later this summer I'll cruise into an REI and try on a pair and see what I think. I'll keep you all posted. Maybe you'll see me running around in funky looking toe-holders soon!

Random ramblings of a (kinda) barefoot runner

I've been MIA lately because of a couple of work trips, so here's just a couple of random thoughts since my last post:

• Sprinklers that make sidewalks wet suck. Then my feet get wet. And then they get sensitive.
• I was able to go out on a barefoot run in New Jersey and it was so cool to be able to explore a city like the old days when I was running a lot. But I think someone did yell, "Put some shoes on."
• On the flipside, a woman here in Redondo Beach told me, "You go girl!"
• When I got back from one of my trips, I went out for an afternoon jog and I didn't realize how warm the pavement gets compared to the mornings when I usually run. I got some crazy blisters and didn't run for about 4 days. I need to keep that in mind for the future.
• After a week of not hitting the pavement, I gave myself a weird blood-blister-looking thing on my first run. I think my calluses got soft and were really sensitive.
• I did some walking in my running shoes with orthotics and I was sore the next day. My body is already shifting and getting used to the more flat-footed way of life.
  
• I've noticed that it almost hurts more to walk barefoot than it does to run barefoot. It's hard to walk on your toes while barefoot and you automatically want to land on your heels.
  

A New Book!

I'm so excited! I got a book in the mail -- "Barefoot Running: How To Run Light And Free By Getting In Touch With The Earth." The book is written by Michael Sandler, the barefoot runner I interviewed. Get this -- the intro says, "One day the Denver Post came out to photograph me chasing down cyclists, uphill barefoot and it dawned on Jessica that I had an important story to share." I specifically remember that photo shoot. Michael indeed was chasing the cyclists and oftentimes, passing them.

So, needless to say, I am really stoked to dive into the book. I will keep you posted on what I learn and the thoughts I have about the book.

Heels vs. Forefront

Lesson No. 1 About Barefoot Running: Get On Your Toes

The main difference between running in shoes and running without them is that in a shoe, we are heel-strikers. This collision between the heel and the ground sends a shockwave through the body that can often lead to injuries. When landing on the forefront of the foot while barefoot running, the motion is springy and "less of the body comes to a dead stop at the moment of impact, so there is less force involved in the collision."

At the same time, when you run more on your toes, your Achilles tendon and calf muscles have to work over-time to control your heel and not let it slap down on the ground. This load on these muscles is one of the reasons people say to start slowly when barefoot running.

I noticed the other day that I am definitely a heel striker, even when walking. I am trying hard to not land as hard as I do on my heel, but it is a really hard habit to break. It feels very un-natural to shift to a forefront strike and I think I do a better job of it when running barefoot because it is so obviously painful to heel strike without shoes on.

A Brand New Barefoot Experience

Still getting my...feet...under me with this whole barefoot running thing. When I woke up this morning, the sky was overcast but I didn't realize that it had rained until I stepped out the door. Water + feet = very sensitive toes. But I figured I would give it a shot because if I'm going to be committed to this, I've got to be able to run in all types of conditions.

I'd have to say that the only curveball the water on the ground threw me was the fact that little pieces of gunk (pebbles, grass, sand, etc.) got stuck to my feet a whole lot easier. While most of the stuff fell off my feet within a couple of barefoot steps, I did notice that there were some pesky pieces that wouldn't fall off, which caused me to stop and brush them off. These pieces mainly were on parts of my feet that had contact with the ground that when I landed on them, they were uncomfortable. I guess this is a small price you have to pay for not wearing shoes.

I think I am making steady progress. The only thing that is experiencing a little bit of pain is my right ankle, which feels a little "tweaked" and strained because it doesn't have an orthotic to hold the arch in place, and therefore the ankle in place. I pulled out the trusty bag of frozen peas (the easiest and best way to ice any part of your body) and hopefully by not doing too much too quickly, my body will begin to adapt to this new movement.

The Self Consciousness of a Barefoot Runner

I had planned last night to go barefoot running this morning, but as I was pulling out my running clothes, I grabbed my favorite pair of socks (pink with piggies on them) without realizing. I guess old habits die hard.

I started out by walking a couple of blocks to get my feet acclimated to the ground but I was definitely giddy to start running. But just as I was going to begin a slow jog, I saw a person getting into a car on the same side of the street that I was on. Suddenly, I became self conscious. How weird am I going to look while running...barefoot? It's one thing to walk barefoot -- I live by the beach and feel like I can get away with that. It's another thing to actually be moving at a semi-quick pace down the street sans shoes. So, I let the guy get in his car and not until after he had driven away did I start running.

I walked/jogged for about 30 minutes (ok, most of it was walking). But being able to actually do some running and understanding the form that I need to have when running barefoot was really cool. I could hear Barefoot Ken Bob's sayings in my head as I cruised along with the ocean to my right ("Let your calves relax so your whole foot touches the ground"). Everything seemed to feel pretty good by the time I got home. I had a little tenderness on the balls of my feet (again) but not as bad as the first day.

I feel like I am doing things right and moving at a pace that is good for my body to get used to a different type of running. I will probably do a similar "workout" on Friday and get into more of a routine and hopefully be able to start running more. Fingers crossed.

My first attempt

I went to Griffith Park today for Bareftoot Ken Bob's barefoot clinic. There were about 15 or so people and yes, we were all barefoot. We talked the general basics about barefoot running (bend your knees, don't act like a pogo stick, relax, relax, relax), which was really great for me. There were a couple of experienced barefoot runners there - being able to see them run and watch their stride was very helpful.

For me, the most important and eye-opening part of the whole experience was hearing Ken Bob talk about how to lift your feet off the ground when running barefoot. Shod runners push off the balls of the back foot. Barefoot runners should lift their foot and not push out. In the same vein, your whole foot should touch the ground. It doesn't have to stay there very long (according to Ken Bob, a barefoot runner should have a cadence of 180 steps/minute), but it should land flat.

As we made a couple of barefoot loops around the parking lot, I realized that I was running with a totally different form. My knees were bent, my hips were leaning forward (making my whole torso lined up) and my feet were lifting off the ground. It didn't feel odd or foreign, but I'm sure it will take some getting used to.

When I got home, the heels and balls of my feet were a little tender, but other than that, they were good! I'm going to ice them tonight and then lay low tomorrow. I'm already getting an urge to go out and try it again, but I need to give my body some rest. I want to start slowly so as not to overdue it.

Momma said there'd be days like this...

I know it's gonna be a rough one when, as I lay in bed (even before getting up), my feet ache. It's a dull pain that makes me not want to put any pressure on my feet - it makes it oh-so-hard to get out of bed. But of course I get up, lace up the running shoes and hit the pavement. And I should have known better. The calves start to feel tight, the shins feel pressure and it's downhill from there.

Days like these make me wonder if my body will be able to handle barefoot running. How can it when I can't even wake up without pain?

But momma also said there'd be days like this...when on my run, the low fog hung over Palos Verdes and the waves had a little pep in their step as they crashed on the sand. The air tasted like salt and the smelled of fresh grass. Days like these make me want to run and run and run. Days like these give me hope that anything is possible and that maybe, just maybe, this barefoot stuff will work.

See, real people do run barefoot!

My sister commented on my last post and suggested I watch this video from the New York Times. The video is an interview with Chris McDougall, the author of the bestseller, "Born To Run," which discusses the notion of barefoot running and introduces us to the barefoot-running Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s Copper Canyons.

It is a nice intro to what barefoot running is all about.

Learning, reading, understanding

Like any good journalist, I want to do research before I dive head-first into this project. I want to make sure that I don't do irreversible damage to my body because what I'm attempting to do isn't fool-proof. Barefoot running isn't a magic bean that will provide all of my answers.

This is going to serve as a resource page with websites that I've found, books that I think would be good to read (if I haven't read them already) and other tidbits of information that I think would be useful. I will add more sites as I come upon them. If you guys know of others, please let me know!

Barefoot Running University: This is a terrific font of information. There is everything from how-to-start tips as well as reviews of minimalist shoes. I am going to be using this website as a guide for my beginning steps. There is a great step-by-step plan on how to acclimate your body to going barefoot that I am going to be following. According to Jason Robillard, a barefoot ultramarathon runner who started the website, slow and steady is the way to go. I'm all about that.

RunBare: This is Michael Sandler's website, which I'm super excited that I found. He has such a great story and is very knowledgeable about barefoot running, so I will be searching through his website for good advice. I have also ordered his book, "Barefoot Running," and will let you guys know what I think about it as I go through it.

Barefoot Running Shoes: I think this will be a hub of information for when (if) I decide to get some minimalist shoes. While Vibram FiveFingers are the more "mainstream" minimalist shoes, there are many other options.

Barefoot Ken Bob: A local barefooter who is a computer administrator at Cal State Long Beach. He is also hosting a barefoot clinic in Los Angeles on May 9, so I am going to be sure to hit that up.

Getting off on the right foot

As I watched Michael Sandler jog up the road, I thought, "I want to do that. I want to be that free when I run." I had battled against injury after injury, pain that seemed to make me stop, literally, in my tracks and I wanted to feel like how Michael looked -- unrestrained in his graceful movements.

I wanted what Michael had, but I wasn't sure I could get it. Michael, you see, was running barefoot. Sans shoes. There was nada on his footsies. Why, you ask, was I watching a man run barefoot up a mountain road on a warm, summer day in Colorado? I was writing an article for the Denver Post on barefoot running and had found Michael, a person who had been changed because he took off his shoes. Seriously, it was crazy how much his life and mentality had changed when he started running (and living) barefoot.

So, I'm going to try to channel Michael Sandler and am going to attempt to run barefoot. As I go through this journey, I'm going to update this blog with what I'm doing, how my body is feeling, other people that I've met who are as crazy (?) as I am, resources, etc. I'm very excited about jumping into this with both...feet! Stay with me and see how things go. There may be some blood and gore later on!

One small caveat -- I'm not going to start physically running without shoes until the middle of May. I am running a benefit race on May 15 for my aunt who died of breast cancer, so I don't want to mess with my body before that.