Beware, batbear...
The running, even after just two sessions has really caused me to alter my stride. You can really feel the forward propulsion from bounding off the front of the foot. But my calves!!! Wow. Not sure I'm going to be able to make today's scheduled run barefoot.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
2014 Goal -- Run 5X per week, pain-free (relatively) by end of summer.
Queen of 3rd Place
The calf thing can be eye-opening at first, can't it!
Congrats to your fiancee on starting C25K.
Ex runner
If you are making the transition from heeled shoes to barefooted, there will be some calf discomfort. However it should be mild. If after a short adjustment period your calves still hurt it is VERY likely you are overstriding. If you land with your foot directly under your center of gravity there is very little tension in the calf.
How short is the adjustment period? I went through some calf pain when I switched to a midfoot strike in shoes. That went away so I started with some barefoot running...about 1/4 mile at first, up to 3/4 of a mile. Everything seemed okay until last week. Now I've got the calf pain again and it doesn't seem to be getting better. What is overstriding and how can I tell if that's what this is or if it's just muscle adjustment again?
The calf thing can be eye-opening at first, can't it! Congrats to your fiancee on starting C25K.
Yeah, the pain subsided after a rest day and I'm feeling better, but I've only done one barefoot run since then. We'll see how it goes after this week.
Certainly Something...
Hello Littlechime!
I've been lurking for awhile so I can tell you what people generally say to this kind of question. Not going to claim to be some expert as I'm still in transition myself.
How long have you been running with a midfoot strike?
Are you running in a minamilist shoe already? If so how long?
Generally a pretty typical rule people who have transitioned say you should go by is 1 barefoot mile = 3 regular miles. If your transition to a midfoot strike can help your form, but running expressly barefoot will work a lot of muscles that you weren't using inside your shoes. If you are still keeping up mileage in shoes you should think about dialing it back a bit to go with the rule above. After a 2 months of barefoot running you can move up to 1:2, then debate rages on when it goes 1:1.
Personally I can tell if I'm overstriding if I have to physically point my foot down to get a landing on my mid/forefoot strike. You foot should be relaxed even as it's coming down and it should naturally land more mid/forefoot. Pose method of thinking has really helped me with this aspect. Worrying more about picking my foot directly up after landing allows me to relax my foot as it is landing because I'm more worried about making sure I don't push off then expressly how I land.
http://groups.google.com/group/huaraches/topics?hl=en is a very helpful place regarding barefoot/minimalist running. Lots of discussion has gone on that you can search through relating to things that you might be worrying about.
Relaxed running is key as Ed4 continually points out.
Something else I heard which has helped me out was actually in reference to barefoot hill running. Which was when you are leaning forward to make your "controlled fall" is that you should be tilting forward at the ankles not at the waist. Your body should be straight and you tilt your center of gravity from your ankles.
Again, I'm not an expert this is just information I've gleened for myself off of forums and blogs. I've been running 1 mile a day(roughly) for three weeks and these are just some tidbits that I've noticed and helped me. Last year I had 3 missstarts with barefoot running because I was doing TOO MUCH TOO SOON. TMTS is pretty standard as barefoot running is too much fun.
Have fun! Don't just listen to me, read around.
If I've stated anything wrong or cryptically someone please correct me. I could use the help myself
It's so hard to back off though! My calves definitely need the break.
I'll try to pay attention to how I'm leaning. I hadn't really thought of that part before. That might be part of the problem too.
Thanks for the tips!!
Prizefighter
However, I stubbed my toe on my dog.
You did WHAT?
Chrismanity
That drawing made my day.