My first "barefoot" injury.

Well, it happened.  I came down with an injury.  Nothing too severe, I hope as I have already registered for the Brookings Marathon this coming May.

I started the barefoot running strategy back around the start of December.  I started slowly... a half mile once a week, then a mile, then gradually upping my mileage.  I don't think I've run more than four miles in a "barefoot style".  Which means wearing my Altra Instincts as I run.  I'm pretty sure that I did a nice job of slowly breaking into them.  I hadn't worn them too much, never two days in a row, and never more than four miles.

The one thing I can think may have affected my training, is that I bought of pair of Stem Footwear shoes to wear for everyday use.  My thinking was, "what a great way to prepare" my feet for the rigors of barefoot running, than to wear shoes made with this philosophy in my day to day life.

I think, however this ended up "overdoing it".  I wore them pretty much every day, in all circumstances, teaching PE, going to church, you name it... I was wearing my Stems.

Started to feel some pain on the tops of my feet a few weeks ago, nothing major, but I noticed it.  As time progressed it really started to hurt and was very noticeable.  So I googled it, and found this article online at go barefooting.

Very informative, and sounds exactly like what has happened to me.

Barefoot runners beware: if you are feeling pain on top of your feet it may be tendonitis.  Rest, Ice, Anti-inflammatories, and stretching your calves are the methods used to cure this problem.

So, I'm going cold turkey on the Stems for awhile, at least until the pain subsides.  Just one day in "regular" shoes, and the pain alleviated a little.  Going to take a week or so off of running, at least no running until I'm pain free, and then only regular style...Then I will start over, slowly with the Altras, and when I move back to wearing the Stems, it will be intermittently, on days when I don't run barefoot.

Back to bare(footing)

Took a week or so off, not by choice, but life got in the way.

The last few times I'd ran before my break... I went a one mile in the Altra Instincts and then ran the rest of the way in my regular shoes.

So yesterday, I took advantage of the nice weather outside and took the Altras for the first run outside.  Went 2.5 miles and it went pretty good.  Calves got a bit tired, and ran a bit of the way with more of a heel strike, but it didn't bother me too much.

Today, repeat performance.. but ran it indoors on the treadmill.  2.5 miles

Calves tightened up about 2 miles in... nothing terrible.

Feeling pretty good afterwards, I am supposed to run six miles tomorrow, it will be in my "traditional" running shoes, though.  And it will also depend on how I am feeling in the legs.  If I feel ok, I'll go the full distance, otherwise I may cut back a bit.

Altras Day 2

Took the Altras out for another "spin" last night.

Did a 3 mile treadmill run, and did the first half mile wearing the Altras, and running barefoot style.

Definitely noticed a bit of soreness in my calves toward the end of the half mile, and after my run as well.  This is to be expected running two days in a row.

This morning... woke up with no pain, or stiffness in my calves... so I'll be going for a 3rd straight day today... short, 2 mile run with the first half mile barefoot style.

Hopefully I'll continue to improve.

The Altras have arrived.

My Altra Instincts arrived yesterday, and I took them out for a short spin on the treadmill.


Just did two miles, and did a half mile in the Altras.


Feel much better today, than I did after my previous run. 


Going to take them out again tonight for a 3 mile run, again only a half mile in the Altra's.


We'll keep updating the progress of barefootin here.