Shoe reviews to come!

I have a couple of new shoe reviews coming your way here in the near future! Check it out.

Today I got a package from B2R (Born 2 Run) with some awesome shoes and a training program for me to try out and review for you guys, I can't wait to give them a go! Besides having the cool split-toe design, they offer an awesome training program that teaches proper form, strength training and many more things. I can't wait to take these for a spin tomorrow! Check back soon for my initial thoughts.

I also just received some of  Sockwa's G3 shoes to try out and review. After putting these bad boys on, I didn't want to take them off. They are as comfortable as a sock! Check back soon as well to hear more about these.

I just need to vent

Sometimes I just have to laugh when people tell me how much I am going to regret running barefoot in the coming years (trust me, I get it a lot). I try to just laugh because my initial reaction is to immediately attack them to try and show them how wrong they are, but that usually doesn't end well, thus laughing is the safer alternative. Barefoot/minimalist running to me is common sense. If you take the time to learn about your feet, you will quickly learn that your foot was built to move.

• Why have an arch if it was"meant" to be held stationary and not allowed to move? 

• Doesn't it make sense that if you run barefoot, you are going to run lighter on your feet. It's not like just because you put shoes on, now all of the sudden you are walking on pillows and your knees and legs take no impact and your feet work better. 

• Why do you think God gave you a nice thick padded spot on the ball of your foot? Do you think it was so you could put a fat sole under it with a raised heel and run on your heels? Obviously not.

• Why do you think we have 5 toes on each foot that all move separately? So we could cover them and hold them together tight and not allow them to feel the ground and help propel you forward?

I am not trying to say that running in any shoe is bad. In fact, I have a lot of minimalist running shoes that I use often. What I am saying, is that if you actually take the time to learn about barefoot/minimalist running, you will learn that there is a lot more to it than taking off your shoes and going for a jog. It teaches you the correct way to run. It allows your feet to be strengthened and the muscles to grow and work to help you run more efficiently. With that being said, I don't support conventional running shoes and will never wear them again in my life.

So to all those that tell me I am going to regret running barefoot in a few years, this is what I have to say to you.

NO I WON'T

Oh, and I will make you a promise right now. In a few years, I will still be running barefoot and loving it.

And in ten years, I will still be running barefoot and loving it. Injury-free.

Get it?

The attack of the mountain lion

This weekend we were in Boise, ID visiting some of my wife's family. While there, I decided to take advantage of what is called "The Green Belt" and go for a run. The section of the green belt that I ran is a beautiful dirt path that winds along the river through the trees. It was a really beautiful fall morning as you can see from the picture. I love fall, it's my favorite season.

Anyway, I came upon a bridge as I was jogging that had a sign on it. I ignored the sign and ran right past, but the word mountain lion jumped out at me. I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see what I had ignored. This is what I saw.

I thought about it for a second, but decided to continue forward on my run. Obviously since I am here telling you all this story, I didn't get eaten. I was actually quite disappointed I didn't even get to see him. In talking with my wife's family members, apparently there have been a number of sightings lately in this area. 

So the story has nothing to do with barefoot running, but I still thought it was pretty funny. Happy Monday! Have a good week!

To ultra or not to ultra

Think you aren't built to run ultras? Take a look.

http://vanessaruns.com/2012/10/18/7-reasons-you-think-you-cant-run-an-ultra-marathon-when-you-can/

100 miles in sandals

I mentioned a little while ago my dream of running a 100 mile ultramarathon. I don't want to run just any ultra though, I want to run the Bear 100. I found this awesome blogpost from Luna Sandals Co-owner Scott, logging his journey as he ran his first 100 mile race, the Bear 100. It got me so excited to continue training. Take a look.

http://dreamingwild.com/2012/10/16/the-bear-100-a-100-mile-vision-quest-in-luna-sandals/

Goatheads

This morning I went for a jog on the trail. The trail is short, so I continued running through the adjoining neighborhood. About a quarter mile into the neighborhood, I stepped on something that made me jump. This happens pretty frequently so I just figured it was a rock or something so I put my foot back down to continue to run, but it was still there. I jumped up again and grabbed the sole of my foot to see what it was. Goathead. Have you ever heard of them? If you are a biker, you will know what they are. No, I am not talking about this type of goat head below on the left, but can you see where the name comes from?

Goatheads have become famous for popping bike tires. I was in Boise last fall and my wife and I went biking, we crossed a dirt path to get back to her mom's house and parked our bikes in the garage. I came out a couple of hours later to ride my bike somewhere to find that both tires on both of our bikes were completely flat because of multiple punctures from the darn goatheads I didn't see. These suckers have a bunch of sharp thorns on all sides and seem to stick to anything in their path.

Well, I pulled this one out of my foot and continued to run. BAM! I stepped on another one! I pulled it out. Then I stepped on another one. So I pulled it out. And another. Pulled it out. Let me just defend myself and say, I was being careful and looking where I was stepping, but these suckers were everywhere and seemed to be disguised really well with the sidewalk. I looked ahead of me...for the next 50 yards the sidewalk was completely covered in these goatheads. I was screwed. I slowed down to a slow tiptoe and carefully and strategically placed each footstep for the next 50 yards until I made it through.

So, here is a note to all barefoot runners. WATCH OUT FOR GOATHEADS.

Can I run barefoot in the winter?

Obviously a very hot question in the world of Barefoot Running right now is, "What am I going to do in the winter?"

Well, like I mentioned I was going to do earlier, I have done some research and come up with some conclusions as to what us crazy barefoot runners can do once the snow starts falling and the mercury in that old thermometer of yours drops down below freezing. Just like when you started to run barefoot, it was a slow and sometimes painful process, it will be the same while adjusting to the winter if you choose to be one of the "nuts" and run barefoot over the frozen ground. I live in Utah, so this is a genuine concern for me (unless this winter is as mild as it was last winter). I will convey what I have learned to you in continuation, but before I go on, I would like to take this moment to say that running barefoot in the winter is not for everyone and I urge you to use correct judgment in your decision and release myself from all liability should you choose to run barefoot when you shouldn't and end up getting hurt! (Phew, I am glad that is over with)

Your ability to run barefoot in the winter will depend on your body

I think one of the most important things will be listening to your body and making sure you stop when your body tells you to, but remain strong when you know you can keep going. This is not for everyone and you are not a wimp if you do decide to throw on a pair of FiveFingers for the winter, most people won't continue to run barefoot, but for us crazies that will, just be careful and listen to your body.

Start slow and allow your body to adapt

Don't wait until the dead of winter to start running on the cold pavement, start now before it gets too cold. The more time you will allow for your feet to get conditioned to the cold ground, the easier and less painful it will be, not to mention the risk of injury will reduce greatly. So don't wait for the first snowfall, start now while you still can.

Take into consideration your weather conditions before you make a decision

If it is -35 degrees out and school has been cancelled so the children don't get frostbite while waiting for the bus, don't be stupid and go barefoot running (don't go running at all for that matter, in my opinion). Obviously if there is a foot of snow out on the ground, it will make a lot more of a difference than if it is packed snow just touching the soles of your feet. Be careful and exercise correct judgement, listen to your body. Stay clear from puddles in the winter created by the salt mixture many people use to melt snow. The salt melts the snow, but leaves a puddle of water with a temperature below freezing (since the freezing point of salt water is significantly lower) which will obviously increase your risk of injury and frostbite. Not to mention that the salt on your feet will make them more susceptible to injury.

Most Importantly, don't give up

If you have been training barefoot, start early, listen to your body and all of it's warning signs and all is going well, stick with it and have fun. I believe that much of what we endure as barefoot runners is possible by having a good attitude and having fun. So get out there and start training! Please give any feedback if you have any more winter barefoot running secrets.

Fall has arrived!

So this morning when I woke up, it was 59 degrees in my house. I finally caved and turned on the heat as it was starting to remind me of the cold mornings in the winter drinking "Frecco" (Some of you may know what I am talking about) when I lived in Chile. At about 9 o'clock, after it had warmed up a little (so I thought) I went for a little jog. I ran down to the river trail and through some of the joining neighborhoods. At one point I reached a grassy area that was still covered in the shade of the trees and houses. Just like any barefoot runner, I usually love the grass and find it quite comfortable to run in (besides the blades that get stuck between your toes). But this morning the grass was still covered in frost. This was not the most pleasant part of the run to say the least. It got me thinking, what am I going to do this winter to keep running barefoot/minimalist? I either run in my Xeroshoes, or barefoot, so I am in trouble when the snow starts falling (this is Utah, after all). Well this has inspired me to do some research on the matter, so check back soon to see what I've found. In the meantime, here are my feet.

Runners Connect barefoot running research

I found this article today and thought it was "share-worthy". It discusses whether barefoot running/minimalist running will strengthen the muscles in your foot and provides some research that I found quite interesting about how it will effect both the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles in your feet. Take a look and let me know what you think.

http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/will-barefoot-running-strengthen-your-feet/

Xeroshoes

Remember Invisible shoes? Well they changed their name to Xeroshoes. Along with the name change they also started making colored sandals! Check them out and get yourself a pair before tomorrow at midnight, because they are on sale! Click the link below to check them out!

Luongo Footwear

Check out this new minimalist footwear company, they offer some pretty good tips on  running barefoot/minimalist.

http://www.luongofootwear.com/barefooting/

Bear 100

So, does anyone want to see what my new running goal is?

Bear 100

Check back in a few years for the results... No, but in all seriousness, I am going to run this some day. Yes, it will take a lot of training and yes, I am crazy, but I am going to run this. I will log my journey here of course and hopefully provide some good tips/feedback on how to train for ultras.

Just this last weekend my wife and I were up in the mountains on a walk. We came upon an obscene amount of traffic in a random place where there are normally no people. Well, it turns out, it was a checkpoint for the Bear 100 mile endurance race. That is where I became inspired. I don't really know why, but every time I see a race happening, I feel like I need to run it. Who wants to join me?! Yeah yeah you may be thinking, this crazy son of a gun just ran a half marathon and now he thinks he can go and do 100 miles! Well, let's give it a shot!