In Between My Toes

Monday

Sep062010

Barefoot Running 101: How to Get Started & Thrive by Jason Robillard

Monday, September 6, 2010 at 11:24PM

Jason Robillard again proves his interest in advocating barefoot running through education by providing helpful and free information (adapted from his own The Barefoot Running Book). He should know a thing or two about barefoot running as he ran 1/3 of his last 100 mile race barefoot. He shares these basic principles to the sport:

PRINCIPLES

Principle One - There is no single right answer. Barefoot running is inherently a very individualistic activity. Each of us will develop our own style and form. There is no single “correct” way to run barefoot. Our job as a teachers of barefoot running is to help you find your own style.

Principle Two - You must experiment and learn from your successes and failures. George Sheehan famously said, “Each of us is an experiment of one-observer and subject-making choices, living with them, recording the effects.” In order to master the art of running barefoot, you must be willing to try new things. You must be able to adopt the successes and discard the failures.

Principle Three - Your body is your best teacher. When following principle two, your best feedback will be your own body. Your brain has the amazing ability to receive feedback from your body, interpret that information, and adjust accordingly. Our own thought process often creates a roadblock for this process. We must learn to trust our own body.

Principle Four - Patience is mandatory. Learning to run barefoot takes time. Allowing your body to adapt to this new running style takes time. All too often we want to rush the process. This results in injury. We must be willing to start from nothing and rebuild ourselves.

Principle Five - Relaxation is the secret to great form. Barefoot running requires relaxation of the skeletal muscles. Running free and easy is the secret to running injury-free.

Principle Six - You must enjoy the process. Learning to run barefoot should be a process, not a destination. If you take the time to enjoy each stage of your development as a barefoot runner, you will be successful. This is a fun activity! Watch little children run around barefoot. Embrace that joy! Smile and savor the process!

For more detailed information including Jason's "Lose the Shoes" plan, visit here. Don't hesitate to pick up the second edition of his book either. I hope to have a review on it here soon.

Nathan Smith |

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Barefoot

Friday

Aug272010

Bad Idea to Run Sick?

Friday, August 27, 2010 at 10:17PM

Well, I'm off to the Moose Mountain Trail Run (42 km). A friend and I are driving 3 hours heading out at 4 a.m. so we can be at the start line when the horn blows at 8:30 in the morning. I've been planning for this race for some time now, tackling trails and elevation or rather being tackled by trails and elevation during training. I hate to let all that work slip thorugh my fingers because of a little friend that decided to join the party last minute, a head cold.

I guess the stress and lack of sleep that accompanied the birth of our fourth child just a week ago, not to mention hospital food, has taken it's toll. For the second time in the history of my not-so-terribly-long running career of 1 1/2 years I have gotten sick. Being the day before a race, I'm a little anxious about the endeavor. At the recommendation of friends and family, I have downed oregano essential oil by the droplets and injested sage both through chewing sage leaves with sugar-free gum and adding sage powder to a hot pepermint tea. Hopefully, after a shower, stretch, and sleep, I will be feeling better in the morning.

The plan is to run the marathon at a recreational pace, more for the experience than for the competition. Hopefully this will help keep me from pushing my body beyond it's limits and not get me even more sick. We'll see how my will does against that dreaded start line adrenalin. Wish me luck!

Update on Monday, August 30, 2010 at 9:35PM by

Nathan Smith

The answer to the question in the title of this post is a resounding YES. The cold I was battling was responsible for keeping me up most of the night. With a cold and only two hours of sleep you would think I had enough sense to put the race off. Well, my pride rationalized me into stupidity, and I went for it.

Having never stumbled once during training trail runs, I should have taken the hint to slow down after stumbling a half dozen times while making my 3000 foot decent from off the summit climbed during the first 1/3 of the marathon. At the 13.1 mile mark, the half-way mark, a stumble turned into a not-so-graceful fall, and I collided with hard, merciless dirt. At impact, I heard a pop as wind was forced from my chest. I knew instantly that something was wrong, and while trying to slog (slow jog) down the remaining switchbacks the growing pain confirmed my worries. It hurt to breath. It hurt to move. It especially hurt to run. All of the muscles around my right chest cavity screamed in rebellion. I was forced to walk the rest of the way back to the finish.

Lucky for me, the marathon route included an 8 mile loop near the finish line, so my walk out was only 5 miles long. After waiting for my running partner to complete his first ever marathon (way to go, Wade!), we made the 3 hour drive back to my local hospital where my family doctor had me x-rayed. With a possible cracked rib and a lot of bruising and strain, he loaded me up with some pain killers and told me to take it easy, anywhere from 2-6 weeks of rest from strenuous activities. I'll have some painful recoup time to think about the lesson learned... Next time, I will listen more closely to my body.

Watch for more detail in the upcoming race report.

Nathan Smith |

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Running (Race)

Thursday

Aug262010

A Friend's Vibram FiveFinger Experience: On the Mend Running in Flows

Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 1:54PM

I was never too interested in the barefoot running movement and saw it as a fringe group of serious runners, but I have been plagued by knee problems for the past two year (actually more like 3) and have been sidelined and getting fat and lazy. Nathan suggested that VFF could get me back on the road and I got a pair of Flow's about 6 weeks ago to test his suggestion.

First impression: Slipping them on was a big challenge, I had to resort to using a butter knife to get my toes seperated and slide them into place. My wife got a lot of chuckles out of that but I'd like to see how she would do it. Once I got them on I looked down and a smile came to my face. These are the goofiest things I've ever worn. Goofy, but also cool. I felt trendy, I felt good. I felt like one of the cool kids, and as my kids will tell you I'm anything but cool and trendy. I was getting some positive vibe from the non-shoes. The source of the positive vibe was a bit mysterious to me. I think it was a combination of the goofy coolness that is VFF and the fact that I was ready to try running again. Six weeks later I still grin when I view my VFF clad feet from above.

As I am out of shape and nursing a tender knee I have been taking it real easy in the Flow's. More walking than running. My first run was a quarter mile, I felt like a weinie for quiting so early but I'm trying to build up my knee, my stamina and most importantly not do anything that will sideline me before I get going.

I continue to take it easy, only running about a mile at a time. Is my knee better? I would have to say yes, there is still some tenderness there, but I am not agravated by pain on a day to day basis. I'm not totally converted to bartefoot/minimalist running but I have made some progress in accepting it as a serious movement and believe there are good reasons to go barefoot. I used to think barefoot was just for hippies and freaks. I'm niether.

I've only made one attempt at running totally barefoot. One night my wife and I were at a park watching the kids play. I was wishing I had brought my "feet" with me so off came the sandals and I did about a half mile un-shod. It wasn't too bad, a couple rocks made me wince but when I was done I felt great knowing I could do it.

I'm still at the beginning of a journey that I hope will bring me to the starting line (actually the finish line) of another marathon. I'm still going to take it easy, only increasing my mileage in careful increments for the next 5-6 months but then I am going to commit to a marathon and go for it.

More Later …
Former Marathoner now in VFF's

Nathan Smith |

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From the Readers

Wednesday

Aug182010

Michael Sandler - Healing Through Barefoot Running

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 9:12PM

Sandler's story is amazing. A documentary is currently in the works. Enjoy this preview, and get more information about Michael Sandler at runbare.com:

Keep an eye out for my soon to be posted book review on Michael Sandler's Book, Barefoot Running: How to Run Light and Free by Getting in Touch with the Earth.

Nathan Smith |

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Barefoot,

Running

Sunday

Aug082010

Home Safe and Sound... Now for the Work to Begin.

Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 5:32PM

I'm now back from a great trip with my kids. During our excursion I spent a close to a week perusing new outdoor fitness gadgets and gizmos at the Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City, Utah. I can't wait to share some sneak peaks and reviews on gear I encountered and got my hands on. It should keep me busy for a while.

There was definitely a buzz in the endurance zone regarding minimalist footwear this year. Lots of new 'barefoot' shoes entering the market next spring, and I was able to see so many of them. I have a number of models to test and review and have a number of others coming to me later this year but more about that in a later post. I really shouldn't be ruining the surprise.

It's good to be back. Now it's time for a little catch-up and some gear testing and reviews.

Nathan Smith |

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Wednesday

Aug042010

More Gibbon Slacklining in Vibram FiveFingers

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 10:23PM

Slacklining has become another pass time since beginning my FiveFingered journey over the passed 6 months. I had a chance to meet some of team Gibbon. Although I wasn't quite ready for some of the tricks they were pulling, I was able to make it across the Jibline to win a t-shirt. Now I get to advertise for them... Oh, wait. I've already been doing that.

Gibbon Slacklines and Vibram FiveFingers are a match made in heaven. Other than going barefoot, I can't imagine a better footwear choice, great line/foot sensitivity, ability to wrap toes round strap, promotes good balance. In 'Running Barefoot,' Michael Sandler recommends building core strength for more controlled running. While reading his book, slacklining kept coming to mind as a great way to accomplish this. I better get out and slackline more often.

Nathan Smith |

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VFF Activity

Wednesday

Aug042010

A Vibram FiveFingered, ChicoBag Bag Monster...

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 7:19PM

Ever wonder how to blend in at the grocery store? CicoBag inventor, Andy Keller, came up with a great grocery bag ghillie suit. No, it's not intended for blending into the produce section. It's all about environmental awareness, and I'm sure it helps sell a few ChicoBags in the same turn.

The bag monster is made up of 500 plastic bags, the amount used by the average American in one year. While I could try to tell you about my experience stepping into the suit, it would be better just to show you:

Learn more about the ChicoBags Bag Monster at chicobag.com

DON'T FEED THE BAG MONSTER!

Nathan Smith |

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VFF Activity

Tuesday

Aug032010

Man Enough to Run Barefoot in a Skirt?

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 11:12PM

Upon the dare of my wife, I did it... I ran in a skirt.

During the summer Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City, Utah, RunningSkirts hosted the 'Knock Your Shorts Off Fun Run' and even invited the guys to come along. My wife dared me to show up, and I thought it would make for a fun post, so with a little hesitance, I walked up to the front of the Salt Palace at 7 in the morning and was handed a little dittie in lime green and yellow plaid. Alrighty then...

I did notice another man, seemingly quite comfortable, in a skirt, so, knowing that I would not be alone on this venture, I headed for the change tent set up on the sidewalk. As I pulled it up, I was surprised how comfortable it was. The compression shorts underneath the flowing outer fabric were soft and form fitting. Hmm... maybe I could do this. The comfort factor, however, dropped as I unzipped the tent I was hiding in and put myself out there for the world to see.

Really? I was going to cross-dress in downtown Salt Lake City. Luckily, plans were to run for a less populated area. To my surprise, I quickly forgot about the skirt, testament to how comfortable it is. The 4.5 miles was quite enjoyable, and I had a chance to speak in depth with one of the owners, also the company's designer, about the possibility of a 'kilt' for the guys. She mentioned that she has had a number of requests and seemed positive to the idea. I could very possibly get used to the freedom if a more testosterone kilt-like version was available.

I ran in the Athletic Skirt with lightweight performance fabric, an inch of extra length along with a higher waist band, and a pocket on either side for keys, power gels or whatever else you would like to carry. Although my style had compression shorts, attached briefs are also an option. Personally, I'm glad I had the extra coverage underneath.

There isn't much that would be freer than running barefoot in a skirt, at least not that my values would allow. And doesn't the Shamrock Plaid compliment my skin tones.

Nathan Smith |

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Review (Gear),

Running