I became interested in running barefoot a few weeks ago but decided not to focus on learning to run barefoot until after I ran my first 5K race. That was yesterday.
By happy accident, today is International Barefoot Running Day! No, I didn’t plan this but I do take it as an encouraging sign, an omen even, that my feet were meant to run nakey.
Today I did my first sans shoes mile and it wasn’t bad. I felt awkward while my body tried to find a new gait and rhythm but I think it will feel natural in a week. That’s my plan too–keep the barefoot runs to just one mile a day while I adjust and then I can start bumping up the mileage.
I don’t run completely barefoot. I wear running huaraches by Xero shoes. I talked about them last month here and did a three mile run in them on the first day. After my calves recovered I decided to take it slower as suggested by just about everyone.
Next goal–run a 5K barefoot!
