Well my journey began with Amazon. They highlighted the 'born to run' book to me. I ordered it, read it and loved it. Even while reading it I began searching for info on barefoot running.
I had to stop running about 8 years ago. My right knee got so bad it felt like it was going to snap backwards. As if there was no ligaments to hold it in place anymore. This only occurred after a very normal short run. So I decided that was the end for me. Bar an operation running was over. Over the years I tried now and then but it just flared up again.
Last year I found swimming for the first time. I could swim but not with multiple laps. So once I found Total Immersion Swimming, I just kept going with it 5 times a week for around 3 weeks until I got the hang of it. I've manged to keep up my swimming now for over a year. Its a constant refining process. I can say I feel I've bedded swimming into my lifestyle and fitness program, but its first and foremost enjoyable and relaxing.
So once I found that the author of Born to run Christopher McDougall, overcame a host of injuries I decided I'd give it a go.
I tried it the first time and it was effortless. I tried to follow the instructions I'd read. However, after about 11 minutes my right calf completely tightened up to a point of pulling a muscle. I was limping for around 36 hours and felt it very tight for about 3-4 days.
The second time I went out I decided to walk.I tried this lifting the heel technique I read somewhere. So I was speed walking and flying. All this was on grass initially. Then I decided to go on some cement. I continued with this almost scraping movement of my foot. I ended up feeling a stinging under my foot. I checked it and I'd managed to scrape a large chunk of skin off my right forth toe and the beginnings of my left toe. I hobbled back to the car pretty disappointed.
The third time I went out I ran again for a short distance after what I though my toes had healed. I ended up opening the smaller cut on my left toe.
I rested my feet a bit more, put some protection around my toe and went for a forth run. By now I was running a bit further but my calf on the right was still really tight so I was careful. Running at this point about 20 minutes.
My fifth run was also very tight on the right calf. I stretched it out and carried on until I felt it was time to stop. Around 25 minutes.
I rested for a few more days and ventured my sixth run. This went pretty well but this time the left calf tightened up pretty bad. I carried on after stretching half way.
My seventh run everything started feeling really good. I opened up a gear and felt the speed building. All these runs at this point had been on grass on the seafront area. I then landed on a big pebble unseen by me. Right over and under the ball of the foot. I carried on back to the car. This was the ending to a 50 minute run. Up to that point it was going really well.
I rested it for 4 days and then went out again. It seemed fine. Then for some impulsive moment I decided I'm tough enough to charge over giant pebbles on the seafront barefoot. Well 4 steps were fine then I landed smack on the same spot as before. I managed to carry on. But this time the recoverey was a lot more days.
My next outing was a walk over the same distance. It felt really good. But it stretched out the bad foot again. So I had to rest it again for 5 days.
