A Blister-Poppin' Good Time!

So, how about that bare-foot running, eh?

Well, here's the deal.  I probably over did it a bit on that first day, running about 3.8km barefoot.  There are two reasons for this.  Firstly, I probably ran further than my bare feet were ready for, resulting in some blistering on the bottoms of each of my feet.  Secondly, my form isn't terribly good at all, resulting in some blistering on the bottoms of each of my feet!

What have you learned from all this, Rob?  That barefootting is dangerous and silly?  NO!  I just need to think a bit more before I get out on the road.  (I think we would all do well to think a bit more about everything from time to time!)  So Saturday night I drained my blisters, and Sunday morning I drained them again.  Sure enough, by noon, the blisters were essentially invisible, and the pain had stopped almost entirely.

Knowing that getting back out there for another barefoot run might be a bad idea, I strapped on my Vibram FiveFinger KSOs, and jogged out the door the roughly 2.5km to my parent's place with my dog, Flash!  Once home again, and after a few trips to Canadian Tire to get parts to repair our bikes, and after a very nice nap in the hammock in my front yard, I decided to get out for another BAREFOOT WALK!

It was just a quiet stroll of 2km.  I made sure to walk, concentrating on my form. (Flairing my toes, keeping my knees bent and my torso vertical, etc).  The sun was really beating down on the asphalt by this point, so it was hot going.  But GOOD NEWS! My blisters are practically non-existent, and I might feel safe enough to add a short run to my planned walk today!

All in all the day was a fantastic one. A good run, a good walk, a short bike ride or two, some time lounging in a hammock, a free BBQ (for Free Day! Found it on my first walk!), a home cooked dinner, and a fire in the old fire-pit my parents gave us now that they've "upgraded" their own.  Good times had by all!

Today I plan to bring along my VFFs and put them back on after about 2km, just to make sure I'm not over-doing it on my feet again.  The real advantage to the VFFs is that I continue to strengthen my foot muscles as I go!

In any case, I should probably be off.  I want to get a move on before it gets nice and hot out there!