Barefoot Run #1

I generally prefer Winter to Summer.  I’m not totally sure why, but I think it’s rooted in liking the feeling of being secure and warm in the house when it’s cold and blustery outside.  As a result I love Fall; and while Spring is fun, it’s an indicator of Summer – which means hot and uncomfortable.

Given the recent move out of the big shoes and orthotics I’ve been especially looking forward to Spring this year, so I can try a little barefoot running.  And wouldn’t you know it – it seems like Spring (or at least a few warm days) seem to be late this year in CO.  I know there are people who barefoot in sub-freezing temperatures, but for a beginner like me I just couldn’t fathom that.

This afternoon the weather and my schedule aligned and I was able to do a little barefoot running.  I only did a few hundred meters, on a sidewalk.

OH MY GOSH it was fun!  It just feels so unusual to feel your bare feet on the cold concrete.  I’d run a bit, walk a bit, run some more, walk some more.  I didn’t time anything.  I didn’t measure anything.  I just went out for a while.  I’d done enough reading to know one can run into an injury before you realize it.  Hopefully I didn’t do too much.  I don’t think I did.  I think the Pose training really helped.  Some people say you can’t run incorrectly when barefoot but I most definitely think that is not the case.  Whether shod or not form, I believe, makes a huge difference as to whether you’ll be successful long term.

If you get a chance give it a go.  It’s really exhilarating.

Jim

The Beauty Of Running

Being fit and trim has always been one of the many reasons I like running so much.  When I’ve been consistently running I’ve done pretty well on the “fit” part; OK on the “trim” part.  To that extent one could say I run for vain reasons.

I’ve never been driven by vanity when it comes to my actual running.  All decisions around clothing, shoes, form, etc. have been driven completely by functionality.  Over the years I’ve sometimes heard “You’re going to wear that?!?!”

As I’ve been learning The Pose Method of running (motivated, if you’ve been here before, by the need to get over some injuries) I’ve spent a fair amount of time looking at video of people running.  Some of this video has been of me, some has been video of others implementing Pose techniques correctly.  Much of that time, literally, has been spent advancing frame by frame through a video segment, watching the relative movement of limbs, zooming in on the position of the foot at landing, etc.  In essence, I’ve been looking at running very technically.

When I figuratively step back and look at those videos (the good ones – not mine) in a holistic way, however, and watch good runners run I’m struck at how fluid and beautiful the movement can be.  You’ll find below some segments I’ve found particularly enjoyable.

I guess I’m adding another dimension of vanity to my running:  I hope to look like these people some day – running with an apparent ease that is counter to the mainstream reputation held by many.

Jim

 

Video of Jacky, a Pose coach in Europe, from various angles, including some barefoot segments:

 

A comparison of running styles:

 

This video shows Jeremy Huffman (my Pose coach) demonstrating Pose running at various speeds, including walking.