Inspiration

I have just finished the book, Born to Run, by Christopher McDougal. The book chronicals the Tarahumara Indian tribe in Mexico, along with the mechanics, science, and evolution of running, running barefoot vs running with shoes, and a healthier diet. It is a great story into the lives of the Indian tribe as well as the Ultra marathon culture. The author learns some valuable lessons in learning about both, and consults various doctors and scientists about the theories and philosophies brought up. Finishing the book, I was inspired to go out and run barefoot, and to follow my run with a diet of organic vegetables. Growing up in Minnesota with a family of hunters and fishermen, cutting the meat part out of my diet would be a challenge far greater than what I could handle right now, but this barefoot thing is quite a possibility.

I have been running for fifteen years now, starting in high school. There hasn't been a time in my running career that I wasn't nursing some injury or another. Here is a list of the injuries I have had that I can remember off the top of my head: shin splits, plantar fasciitis, patellar tendinitis, sprained ankle, stress fractures (2 of them!), pulled hamstring, a swollen hip joint, an undiagnosed back injury cured by a torque release chiropractor, and my latest, IT Band syndrome. The IT Band Syndrom has been bothering me now for 2 1/2 years, preventing me from running serious miles. I bought an IT Band strap about a year ago, and luckily that has helped me to get at least 15 miles in a week. I miss putting in serious miles, and the competition that I used to be a part of. I have yet to meet a Boston qualifying time and to compete in a triathlon. While I am quick to say that I need a different job before I can put in the training time, I could make the time if I knew I wouldn't be fighting off an injury.

Barefoot runners claim they run injury free. Born To Run scientists claim that humans were built for running, and that for hundreds of years they ran without injuries. What changed was the invention and development of a structured running shoe 30 years ago. Cushioned running shoes make our feet, tendons, and muscles weak. They encourage injuries rather than prevent them. Striking with our heels cause us to "put the break" on our running, locking up our knees, and causing adverse effects in other parts of our bodies. If we were to reverse time and run like we did as little kids in the yard, our feet, legs, and bodies would readjust, and we would essentially be injury free.

Between the book, a couple of articles read, and the influence of a well-respected coworker of mine, I decided to try it. I'm not running more than 15 miles a week anyway, what have I got to lose? I started by running laps around a softball field in a local park. I moved to California recently, and there is no way that I intend to stay lapping it when I could be up in the mountains on trail runs. Therefore, I decided I needed some shoes to protect my weak feet. I think the Vibram Five Fingers are ugly, so I definitely won't be wearing them around town, as I see many crazy Californians doing, but on the trails is a different story. A bonus is that I have a gift card to REI, so the shoes will only cost me $15 of my own money. Therefore, purchase was made, and I am now the owner of some VFF's.

I will be e-chronicalling my experience on the barefoot running journey. I am hoping that the claims are true, and that I am soon to be injury-free.