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.