I sort of feel like I'm learning to run all over again......

...are there any tips you all would suggest for a beginner?

I recommend spending as much time barefoot as possible (non-running) such as when you are at home.

I havent been running barefoot much, but I've been makiing sure I am barefoot (or sock foot) around the house and even poking around the yard.     This past week because they were on sale, I got a new treadmill - despite what some people say, I like running on a treadmill every now and then, and expecially when the weather SUX (this of course is a discussion for a different time and day)...

I decided to run again barefoot and did a 1/4 mile after I had completed 3 miles of running with shoes and again it worked out just fine for me.   The only problem was the belt on the treadmill is kind of rough, so it felt something like running on really course sand (in texture) and by the time I was finished, the balls of my feet felt a little raw.    They are fine today so I think I 1/4 mile was just about right for me..........

BUT - I have to tell you that I liked it again and did feel a little stronger then when I ran barefoot a few times (about a month or so ago).   So It seems I am making some progress here.....and plan to continue walking around to strengthen the muscles in my feet. 

I'm just started using a training plan (as a guide as I dont religiously use training plans) to prepare for a 1/2 marathon and there are number of days when the plan calls for hill sprints at an 8% grade for certaiin amounts of time.   I find doing this type of a workout much easier on a TM because I know how far I run, and I know specifically what my hill grade is, so I think on the days I do this workout ill do them on my TM, and  I'll finish with a quarter mile to mile barefoot run (like a cool down run).......see where that takes me.

But I have to admit - so far, so good ---

I just cant wait for the day when I am running barefoot and my wife comes down to switch over the laundry ....she already thinks I'm crazy for running --- in her opinion 40 miles per week is like obsessive crazy .......   so can you imagine what she will say when she sees me running barefoot............will give her something to talk about to her family and friends.........her posessed, crazed, obsessed  husband.............if she only understood the standard.....

 my main problem was that the belt would get too hot after 20 or 30 minutes for me to keep going (probably aided by the whole "raw" thing) but after the first couple of times I was able to stay on it longer without too much trouble.

 

I noticed when I first took off my shoes and got back on the TM, the belt was a little hot.....to the touch.....but it didnt seem to bother me....of course it might have been a part of the problem (a little hot, and a little course of a belt).....at any rate, it seemed to work, but the scratchy surface (almost felt like running on a sand paper belt) is something that I will have to get used to.....

I like you, I will still spend most of my time out of doors -- I dont really like the TM but as mentioned above, it does lend itself very well to some types of training better then being out....so until the winter time I'll primarily be out, but when the snow and ice start to fly and the the footing gets bad, I prefer the TM cause I feel I get a real run instead of slipping and sliding around in the dark....ANYWAY -- TM is a discussion for a different forum.....