Running is for Masochists Part 1

So, as it turns out I'm not indestructible - it's been a rough couple of weeks. I really felt that I could just put on some barefoot style running shoes and be ok. My reasoning? Since I had never ran, actually ran, in my life, I had no bad habits to put me in physical danger. Well, aside of doing something stupid which did lead me to a foot injury that lasted 2 weeks, no major injuries have come to me. However, there is something that's not adding up. I hurt. Every! Day! Every morning. Is this normal? And if it is, do people actually get any pleasure out that? That is commonly known as masochism. 

Usually you are told to transition from regular running shoes into barefoot running. "Why in the world would you bother with barefoot style?" You might ask. Well, it turns out that according to many sources and running experts, barefoot running is the most healthy form of running. Ergonomically, it's how we're meant to run. A lot of people don't agree with that, but the Born to Run book makes some great arguments, very well documented and backed up, as to why this is the best form if you want to avoid injuries and add longevity to your running life.

In search of this longevity, I ignored better council and started cold-turkey (or warm turkey) right into my barefoot style. You definitely should transition into it, most running die-hards will tell you. And I am now telling you that this is true. While I have not gotten hurt again, at least not from running and not from these shoes; I have noticed that my feet are extremely sore after I run, particularly the next morning. I have been running like that now for 2 months and I expect - as would anyone else - to have developed resistance, some kind of tolerance, like you would with any type of exercise. After 2 months of doing 50 push ups a few times a week, you shouldn't have a hard time anymore, right? At least you don't get as sore as the first day. That's what I am waiting for, but it's not happening. The soreness remains and in fact it seems to have gotten a bit more intense lately. The mornings are stiff footed, long periods of sitting are followed by soreness when walking. Ibuprofen is not the answer here, because it is not meant for long term usage, and that's just treating the symptoms anyways. Did you know it actually causes your stomach to bleed? Not good. Read the instructions, you shouldn't be on it long term.

No, I'm not ok with being in pain all the time. I already have a hard enough time getting out of bed as it is, I don't need another one. So I'm off to get something that helps, something that can help me continue my experiment of whether or not running can be fun, something like transition running shoes, something like this:



This is a transition shoe. Click on it so you can get some more specs on it, it'll take you to amazon. In my next post I'll be touching on how to transition from running on heel stomping shoes, which kills your knees and gives you all the hip and back pain you might be experiencing, to running on minimalist shoes.

The moral of the story: Don't underestimate the power of proper training. Especially if you're just getting started. Push yourself but use common sense - in this case, do as I say, not as I do.