First and foremost, all of your comments on being more than just a number were beautiful and inspiring. Each and every one of you has something bright to offer to the world, so don’t hide your light! If you haven’t done so yet, please tell me who you are because you are more than just a number on the scale.
Now, please allow me to introduce…
PROJECT BAREFOOT
Unfortunately, Heidi Klum isn’t hosting this one. Project Barefoot has nothing to do with high fashion. In fact, it could probably be one of the ugliest fashion statements ever. You can blame Steve for introducing the idea of running barefoot into my head.
They are HIDEOUS. Known as Vibram FiveFingers, they are made from a thin nylon material that protects your feet from glass, sharp things, and dog poop. Other than that, it provides you no support. Your feet are on their own, just the way they were meant to be.
I’ve thought long and hard about this. I mean, Usain Bolt runs with shoes and that man is lightning fast! But did you know that running shoes were not fully developed until the late 1970s? So what the hell were people running with back then? And I mean, WAY back then, when they had to catch buffalo for dinner and run from tigers. Oh. That’s right. NOT running shoes.
I truly believe that we’re all meant to be runners because running is our instinctive method for survival. Run or be eaten. I also believe that for thousands of years, people functioned fine without shoes. In fact, I’ve witnessed an old grandmother hiking up a mountain barefoot with a basket of rocks on her back in Laos. It just never dawned on me that we are supposed to be barefoot. Until now. Screw you shoes, you are SO last year.
However, transitioning from running with shoes to barefoot will take practice because I will have to re-train the muscles in my feet and legs. The muscles are there but they are super weak because I never had to use them, thanks to running shoes.
At the moment, I do NOT own Vibrams. However, I took a barefooted two-mile walk/jog around my neighborhood today. Yep. Barefoot on concrete, asphalt and gravel. And I’m completely sold. This is how we’re meant to be. I felt my form change during my jog. I shifted naturally from landing on my heel to landing on my forefeet. In its natural element, your body immediately does what it was meant and designed to do.
My mom thinks I’m crazy. I’m sure some of you think I’m crazy as well, but I’m going to give this a try. If I can eliminate Corporate McDonald’s from my life, I can for sure eliminate Corporate Nike, who ironically has a shoe that mimics barefoot running. Like with photography, where the camera doesn’t make the photographer, the shoe doesn’t make the runner.
It’s official. I’m going barefoot. I encourage you to try it as well. If you don’t like it, that’s cool, but feel the difference before you decide to write it off.
I ran my first 5K race in shoes. I’m running my 10K without them. Project Barefoot initiated.
What are your thoughts on barefoot running? Will you try it?
Meat Lover’s Pesto Pizza – Dinner: lavash topped with homemade pesto, mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheese, basil, thyme, onions, asparagus, mushrooms, turkey bacon, turkey pepperoni, and ground beef.
Zucchini Tomato Pizza – Dinner: lavash topped with Swiss, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese with thin zucchini slices, onions, cherry tomatoes, and thyme. So good!
Consumption: 1534 calories, 27.05g of fat. Total steps: 14,869
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Workout: Barefoot walk. Treadmill. Assisted Pull-ups. Triceps. Lunges.
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Finally did some leg work! Wanted to do more squats but somebody stole the smith machine from me when I was getting water.
Come on push-ups! I’m almost there!
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Female. 25 years old. Chinese. Cook. Foodie. UCLA grad. Traveler. Musician. Scuba diver. GWU Law. Runner.
I’ve heard of this before and if it works for you go for it. I know I won’t be as my feet need the right shoe and comfort of cushioning with the weight I carry. I decided to take one more week before signing up for the Half Ironman or Olympic Triathlon.
I’m behind you either way. If you don’t do this coming up one, you’ll do the next Half Iron.
Hi – I just found your blog and love it. I just started running and I’m still going through I was not born to run part. I heard on Doctor Oz a man that believes in running barefoot as well. Now you have me convinced to try it.
HIs blog in case you never heard – http://chrismcdougall.com/blog/
Keep up the great work you inspire me
You really should try it! And thanks for stopping by
I’m glad you’re reading (and commenting to let me know you are!) Hopefully I’ll keep writing inspiring things.
Vibrams are awesome just to let you know. My guy and I tried them out at a running store. I would have bought some but unfortunately they are out of my price range. I stuck with shoes instead. I have ran barefoot on the treadmill before out of wanting to not wear shoes and I have nothing bad to say about it. I felt comfortable, but then again I spend most of my time barefoot anyhow. Good luck with your challenge I know you’ll do just as awesome as usual!
I do spend most of my time barefoot as well (I drive barefoot) but running is still different than walking barefoot, although I think my time barefoot has helped. You really should just go barefoot! Screw shoes! That’s awesome that you guys tried them on. I had to call a store here to check if they had them. Thank God they did
Everyone is blogging about these…even read about them on an LSAT blog…anyways…good luck with that
Jess what kind of turkey bacon do you use? seriously
This time around it’s Jennie O’s. They’re meh, not the best kind, but if you grill them on the pan for a bit, they turn out ok. Albertson’s (grocery store here) has a generic kind and it’s PHENOMENAL. Tastes great, just like real bacon.
I first read about barefoot running on Nerd Fitness also. I’m definitely very interested in the idea, I’ll have to give it a try as soon as they get our sidewalks clear of most of the dirt and rocks from the winter. Although it just snowed 6″ overnight here, so that might not being happened anytime real soon
.-= Brandon´s last blog Couch to 5K: Week 1 review =-.
I can’t believe it’s still snowing. Oh Alaska. When you see the Northern Lights (I think in the summer?), remember to snag a picture for me. I have never seen them and would love to.
I read about those on Nerd Fitness, too. I’m definitely intrigued. I like the idea of the weight shifting to the balls of my feet instead of my heels, which is why I can’t run. When you went running, did the shift happen immediately or did you just realize at some point that your stance had changed?
It was immediate for barefoot. It’s like your body naturally knows how it’s supposed to be. It felt different and you’re definitely more aware of your stride, but I think over time, I’ll get used to it.
You’re welcome.
When you get a chance, read “Born to Run.” I hate running, and that book made me go out and buy my Vibrams and start running.
-Steve
What the…apparently in the book he talks about The World According to Garp. I don’t read much but I LOVE John Irving. What the. I might actually go buy this book. I’m such a non-dedicated reader though…
I *love* being barefoot–just walking, doing everyday stuff. I haven’t run barefoot, but, it’s definitely something I want to try doing. Supposedly it’s a lot better for your feet too. I was looking into getting a pair of those–all out of stock in my size, go figure! lol…Let us know how the training goes barefoot!
Have you tried seeing if there’s a store near you that has it? Apparently they carry them at REI and what not! Check that out! Then you can try them on and make sure they fit!
Beej runs in Vibrams! I’ve thought about it, but I think I’m still too heavy to run without the extra support that a good cushioned shoe gives. I wish I knew for sure if it would help or hurt in my case.
In other news, I clicked on your Nike link and found the funniest shoe ad EVER.
http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikerunning_news-en_US/2009/05/12/get-naked
hahaha.
LOL. Yeah, let’s go “bare” but run with shoes. Oh Nike, you are too sneaky!
OMG, my dad is all about these. He’s been trying to sell me on barefoot running and how it’s the natural way our bodies were intended to run for the past year.
Like I told you, I need to hang out with Daddy Tsuyuki more. He is AWESOME. Does he run marathons too? Please tell me yes!
I want some Vibrams and I want to train in them!! Now, now, now! hahaha
OK company that makes Vibrams: we are fascinated and intrigued and you need to send Jess a pair to review so that we can all be impressed and run out and buy some!
Seriously!
I gave up my running shoes for all workouts at the first of this year and won’t turn back. I to am using Vibram Five Fingers and absolutly love them. They’re amazing for weight lifting and running alike, my balance has never been better. You can checkout my blog for a writeup on working out with them.
I’ve been transitioning into running in VFF, it definitely takes time. Be sure to not just rush in and give yourself time for that 10k. Personally when I went from 2 to 3 miles running in the VFF I got some crazy blistered / bruised feet whereas at 2 miles I was perfectly fine. It took a while to mess our feet up and will take a while to repair the damage.
Small suggestions, get used to doing good foot cleaning and skin removal. The better kept my feet are the better they behave barefoot, which again makes sense.
Good luck and keep us posted on your barefoot progress.
.-= Sean (Learn Fitness)´s last blog Perseverance Leads To A Loss =-.
Nice! Thanks for all the good info
I will keep in mind to not go crazy and potentially injure myself. Nice clean foot = lots of pedicures! YES! No complaints with that.
I have a friend that runs in them (she just started using them). She practicing on a track to get used to them. She likes them a lot.
Get on the bandwagon!