When I was a child I thought as a child and did many, many childish things. Today at thirty-something of age I think as an adult yet still do childish things. My great event this year happened hours ago during my first attempt at barefoot running. There has been a growing interest and following of getting back to basics, and raw sport of running at a level zero. There are guys I train with and have met that zeroed out there already expensive running shoes by cutting out and removing the all the fluff in the heal. This sets the runner’s shoes to the same level both front and back. Often you find running shoes that have a thickness of 12 mm in the front (ball of the foot) and 24 mm in the heal – creating the heal look we have used and feel comfortable with during these past 50 plus years! Now, I am being advised to not only run with “zero” level shoes, but also from time to time run barefoot. Honestly, the last time I recall running barefoot for any great distance was yet again – child age, let’s say… circa age 7 along the Oregon coast.
This afternoon’s, daring, intelligent, risky, and silly adventure was the BYU (Brigham Young University) outdoor track. The blue color was too tempting to resist. So, after running 400 meter, 800 meter, and 40 meter sprints with a friend a cool-down was screaming my name. During the 1st lap around the track the warm sun had to have tweaked my brain functions. I tore off my shoes, socks and tossed them to the way side. The 2nd lap was… indifferent! The heat of the sun augmented the pain from the roughness of the blue, smurfy-soft track. I really thought my feet were simply hurting from the 90 degree temperature. Nevertheless, I pressed forward switching from track surface to the cool, wet soft grass. My ankles were felt fine, knees never better, legs still strong, and my lung were no longer burning from the sprints and 175 heart rate stress. By the 3rd lap my sanity and common sense returned as I stopped to check the souls of my feet – ouch! There were about 4 blisters about to surface on each foot. Well, the smart thing to do was – stop! Although, sometimes runners, athletes, and persons with competitive drive enjoy a tad-bit of pain to finish the workout. Okay, one more lap to go! The 4th lap was all full! I cannot remember have my feet every hurt that badly before. I mean come on body – why was the central nervous system not allowing foot sensors to overpower drive? I finished the 4th lap on the grass – slowly… I then hobbled similar to an old man walking up or down stairs as I tried my best to walk entirely on my heals (no blisters there). The best way to describe how I looked while walking the 300 yards back to my car is to depict that seen where Eli Wallach walks up those steps to accept his lifetime award in the 2006 movie, “The Holiday”.
Today’s learning experience: research new training aspects of any sport before attempting them in large quantities. Listen to your body MORE carefully when you surpass the age of 36. Really, honestly listen to your body and mind when training – there is no sense in risking an injury to boost your ego.
"Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one." - Dr. Seuss
Sincerely,
Orange Rabbit Runner
A.K.A. one day soon a “Born to Run” advocate
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