Barefoot ???

Lately my runs have been going like this......I will set a certain number in my mind and take off...I will run a mile decide I can go on no further and walk..then run/walk, run/walk the rest of the way...ummm hello....six months into my new running "career" and I am wuss-sing out (I am not saying walking is a wussy thing, I am saying my mind is not strong enough to push through..calm down) it showed on Sunday at the race.

I was mad, and immediately wanted to run the race again. But, in my mind I knew I would have the same result. Monday I took a break and today I was still dreading my run..then a few things happened. I received Runners world in the mail! The awesome fit chick on the front was enough to send me into a tail spin...I saw the marathon training schedules and felt all sorts inspired....and I was a total grump all day....even handsome said "maybe you need to run" I quipped back a nasty "whatever".

Anyhow, my wheels started turning I thought "you know I really want to try a barefoot run" I live in suburban Maryland this would be a challenge if nothing else. I also just needed a short shake down run..and the weather was beyond perfect....ahhh the stage is set!

We put the kids to bed and I told handsome my intentions...(he has been wanting to try this for awhile, barefoot running.) "two miles?" he questioned...I said "yeah why not" I already have giant blisters on my feet from Sunday so shoes would hurt anyhow...and I was staying in the neighborhood so I could cut through on any of the paths and come home if it proved to be too much.

Anyhow, off I went...goal one was to run the entire time! No matter what...goal two not get anything in my feet! (ok well maybe that was goal one) so I was off! my initial reaction was that it felt so strange, I felt like my whole body was pounding the ground, the sound of my feet slapping the ground was odd....

then I realized about half a mile in that I did not have any of the foot cramps that I usually get in the first mile! Sweet! I hated that I had to watch the ground the whole time though. It was a dizzying effect for me...so I would scan and then look up, also I saw the occasional dead squirrel and my germ a phobe mind did not like that my naked tootsies when running right next to dead carcasses..but you know what

I ran two miles I never stopped and I think my feet loved it! I won't do it all the time but occasionally to mix things up I will be all over it!! If you have not tried it you really should it is a completely different sensation!

Thank you AngieB for your inspiration and suggestion! It truly was fun and I liked it much more than I thought I would. If you don't know Barefoot AngieB you need to check this chick out she is a superstar!

After this run I felt renewed, refreshed, my mind was clear and I was happy...I love when you run and you go to a different land...that is why I love running in the first place! and I am total running believer all over again!(not that I really ever stopped believing it just was blocked) When does this roller coaster stop? you know the ups and downs?(I might puke if it lasts much longer, I kid) Anyhow now I am out for 10k redemption.....Watch out!