Welcome to our Wild Workout Wednesday link up! Each week I link up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Angelena Marie from Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced, and Sarah at Creating Better Tomorrow to bring you workout ideas, motivation, inspiration and recipes to try. Join us for a wild workout each week by reading along or grab the button and link up if you have a fitness or healthy living post to share!
I recently posted about my love affair with Newton Running and how even getting new Newtons was tough for me. But something happened at my track workout last week that had me nervously contemplating, ‘could I give up my Newtons??’
The fact that the very thought of that would pop into my head was unnerving, but what I would possibly give them up for was far more unnerving–no sneakers at all.
Simply put, my barefoot running experience was purely accidental. Like any fit, running mom, I left the house with 3 bags, 1 car seat, a jabbering 3 year old, all my hydration, but no running sneakers. By the time I realized, we were pulling into our parking spot at the track. After a brief moment of panic (I was really looking forward to 2 sets of 4×400 and 2 sets of 4x200s!) I had a moment of enlightenment–I’ll just run barefoot.
There is actually another barefoot runner in our group, so I wouldn’t have to feel like some running weirdo (not that it should matter), but there were also 3 reasons why I wasn’t nervous about running barefoot.
1. I’ve been previously intrigued about barefoot running
Clearly if you are going to be spontaneously thrust into a barefoot running track workout (which I do not recommend as your first barefoot run!) it helps if somewhere deep inside you actually do or have wanted to try it. I love being barefoot all the time and I dread when I have to actually wear socks. I’ve tried on Vibram Five Fingers and dabbled in barefoot treadmill running–but never took it any further than that. So when I decided I was going barefoot, I was actually a little excited.
2. I have very tough feet
I can basically walk on anything. Hot sand. Rocks. Shards of glass. Probably fiery coals. So I wasn’t really worried about the track.
3. I run (correctly) in Newtons
This is probably the most important reason why I was actually able to complete the track workout. Like I posted here, I started out in bulky stability sneakers that did nothing to teach me how to run, and actually resulted in injuries. I moved to Newtons and taught myself how to run in them–I’ve been injury free and faster ever since. Running in Newtons is similar to running barefoot, except in the Newton running sneakers you have the lugs to cushion your impact. I found a great blog post from Newton about their stance on barefoot running. Being as into my Newtons as I am, I found it to be an interesting read that confirmed what I had been thinking during my workout.
So when I ran the track workout with no sneakers at all, I executed the same form. I’ve always tried to keep my cadence quick and my feet under my body–barefoot running made me work on this even more.
I really have to say that my accidental barefoot running experience was very positive (although I don’t think I’m ready to give up my Newtons!).
There are 3 really great things about barefoot running that I realized during my track workout:
1. My connection with the ground
I loved the feeling of my feet physically connecting with the ground on every stride. Yes, it started to burn after a while, but there was something very invigorating about feeling my foot push off the ground. I felt 100% in control of my running, whereas with sneakers there is that comfort to rely on. When I do run with sneakers, I rarely wear socks. I need my toes to be free to stretch around and feel like they are gripping the ground. Obviously being barefoot, this is 100% the case.
2. Enhanced attention to form
I always focused on form with sneakers, but I had no choice but to focus completely on form when I was barefoot. Every stride, every movement of my legs was intentional with the goals of foot strike and cadence never leaving my mind. Additionally, I was focused on running with my core to lighten the load of the impact. My entire body was involved in 100% the workout instead of focusing solely on my splits and the finish line.
3. Free Flying
It was fun. I felt like a true runner. Like from the book Born to Run, I envisioned myself like the Tarahumara just flying across the land.
In the end, I don’t think I will intentionally go barefoot again, but I will be cognizant of barefoot running principles moving forward in my Newtons (as I always kind of had!)
I am definitely not trying to convince anyone to go barefoot–I just felt compelled to share a somewhat unique experience.
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Would you (or have you) ever run barefoot?
What would you have done if you forgot your sneakers?
Also linked up with Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday!
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I’ve never formally tried it (did it growing up all the time!) but my feet are tough too! When little I used to walk and compete against my brother seeing who could walk the furthest on the gravel driveaway…I never lose 😉
sarah@creatingbettertomorrow recently posted…HIIT Treadmill Circuit
Haha…yeah, my family cringes when they see me walk on rocks without flinching!
Oh my I would have bailed on my run if I forgot my shoes! I saw a guy running on the trail barefoot with bleeding feet! I have too many foot problems to try that!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Welcome Runs & TomTom Multisport Watch Review
I heard a lot of that same response…it’s definitely not for everyone!
Way to rock a barefoot run!!! I would be too nervous to simply because I am in stability shoes and my feet aren’t really that hardened despite walking around without shoes/socks most of the time.
Annmarie recently posted…Wild Workout Wednesday: BlogFest/IDEA World Workouts
I was definitely nervous on my first 400 and took it easy. But then I was able to push and run pretty close to my regular splits…it was a cool experience!
I considered going minimalist, not all the way barefoot, but I bought Newtons a few years ago and they weren’t the right shoes for me. That’s awesome that you were able to have your impromptu barefoot run! Do you think you’ll do it more often?
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…How to Stay Motivated To Run Solo
I definitely considered it, and maybe at the track where it’s a controlled environment I might. I can’t imagine ever running totally barefoot on roads! I am still intrigued by super minimalist shoes like Vibrams…it was a cool experience though!
Way to rock barefoot running. I tried running in Vibrams but they just weren’t right for me.
Christine recently posted…Row, row, row…
The thought of it is still intriguing to me, but I am so attached and happy with my Newtons…if it’s not broke, don’t try to fix it!
Great job getting your run in even though you forgot your shoes!! Sounds like it was a great experience!!
Angelena Marie recently posted…Nicole Wilkins Training Event + Nicole Wilkins Inspired Circuit Workout + AM Fitness Monthly Challenge Group Launch
Thanks! I have to admit, I’m a little glad it happened!
Wow! I think I would have done a bootcamp workout on the grass instead. 😉 Stopping by from Fitness Friday …
Coco recently posted…Favorite Beverages Summertime Or Anytime
Thanks! I did take a few laps on the grass towards the end!
My feet are rough but the thought of this makes them hurt….you rock girl! Way to make the most of the situation!
Renee recently posted…Friday Things I’m Favoriting
Thanks so much! It was a cool experience!
I’m currently running in Newtons & really loving them.
I’ve never actually run barefoot. But I don’t have very tough feet.
Interesting!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Friday Food Porn #3: Tasty Disasters
Yay, a Newton buddy! So in love with them…they’ve made me such a better runner!
Wow, impressed! I saw a guy running barefoot at a half marathon this past spring. He wws carrying shoes though.. Kind of odd.
I can see how he might want to carry shoes as a backup! I can’t imagine going totally bare on the roads for too long!
When I changed to a natural running form working with a Newton trained coach, part of the gradual transition was barefoot running. It fascinates me and I will run barefoot from time to time if my form feels off but I don’t think I’ll ever give up running shoes. It’s all so interesting.
Have a fantastic weekend Michelle!
jill conyers recently posted…Essential Oils for a Healthy Summer
It really does refocus your form…you have no choice! Thanks Jill! Enjoy your weekend too!
Wow, i have to give you a lot of credit, I probably would have just driven home. I tried Newtons a while back and broke them as I was supposed to but unfortunately they caused a really bad calf injury which was so frustrating, so I’m unable to wear them. I don’t really have an interest in barefoot running and I don’t think my PT or chiro would ever approve it. Very cool that you had such a great experience with it!
Thanks Sue! It’s definitely not for everyone!
You are pretty fierce! I definitely would have left and gone home super bummed. I’m inspired.
Glad you had a good experience with it! Very interesting read!
I need orthotics in my shoes, so I doubt I ‘d ever try it. 🙁
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Fashion Friday- Navy Dress with Pink Accessories
Thanks Julie! I did feel pretty fierce…I can only imagine what the bystanders at the track thought if me! Lol. Thanks for reading!