Live Long Naturally ©2012

Being referred to as a tad eccentric and strange by some friends and family has it rewards. My walking to the beat of a different drum these days has recently turned into running to the beat of a different drum.

Why barefoot running? I remember hearing or reading about it and it never left my mind. I kept telling myself that before I invested in a new pair of running shoes, I’d give it a try. Then I happened to stumble upon a barefoot running workshop at Griffith Park a few weeks ago. My sister-in-law and I went and there wasn’t a sole barefoot runner in site. So we left, and I wrote it off this time around (or at least my brain did).

Then while out running just over 3 weeks ago, my gut wouldn’t let it rest, so I thought… how hard could it be? Then I thought again… let’s see… my first event I trained with a coach – I ran from heel to toe and messed up my knees. Following the event he told me what I should have been doing all along and that was building up the muscle around my knees. Gee thanks for telling me 26 miles too late! My second event I ran Chi Running, which is basically running on the ball and toes of my feet – I felt great 13.1 miles later! Barefoot running was going to require I relearn how to run from heel to toe again. So… I decided to give my feet a try at barefoot running. I ran 3.3 miles in 33 minutes on asphalt… I felt fabulous!! I eventually ran myself up to swelling and blisters, but not giving it up!

I’ve learned what doesn’t kill me always makes me stronger. I’ve also learned running barefoot is a lot like learning to play the guitar. You’ve got to build up calluses in order to get past the pain. Something about barefoot and being connected to the earth makes it an enlightening experience!