Trying barefoot running sounds easy on paper. I’m a regular runner, but it’s always whilst wearing my trainers laced up with a double bow.
On a mission to try 52 new things in the year, I decided to give it a go for the first time.
I hoped trying barefoot running wouldn’t be a ‘sole’ destroying experience. (sorry! I couldn’t resist!)
What Is Barefoot Running?
Barefoot running, is sometimes referred to as ‘natural running’.
In its purest form, barefoot running means that the runner has naked feet.
However, it does also stretch to include very basic footwear. We’re talking the simplest and thinest soles without any padding, cushioning or othotics of any sort.
Trying Barefoot Running Meant I Had To Get My Feet Out!
I’m a bit weird about my feet at the best of times, and generally like to keep them covered up.
This possibly stems back to being small and having a thread caught around my toes when I was tiny which needed multiple visits to the chirpodist.
Or maybe it was the time when I was little and cut between my toes on some sharp dry grass on the beach and then went paddling in the sea which was excrutiating as the salt water washed into the cuts. Just writing about that memory makes me wince!
Don’t get me started on horror films when people run away in bare feet. What are they thinking? First thing I would do is put my trainers on. Imagine if you ran over glass or a sharp stone? You’d hinder any chance you had of a get away!
Having said that, I did once walk over hot coals, and as daft as it might sound, it was hotter than I had expected. I think it’s because the pep talk lead me into a false sense of security.
I like my feet to be safe, dry, warm, and housed in a pair of socks and some form of footwear.
Whilst some people trying barefoot running will find it easy to get their feet out, this was a big part of the challenge for me!
Barefoot Running Inspiration
I’d been following the progress of Anna McNuff throughout the year as she ran from the Shetland Isles to London completely barefoot. With naked feet she ran over ninety marathons in just five months covering a whopping distance of 2,352 miles. Her poor soles, but what a feat!
Reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall had made me question all that I had ever thought about running in trainers. It made me doubt the integrity of big brands selling us the essential cushioning our feet apparently need.
Both Anna and Christopher had spawned the idea in my mind that I should give barefoot running a go.
As I mentioned, my feet are used to being comfortable. I don’t wear flip flops – I can’t stand the feeling of something between my toes, (probably a link back to the beach grass fracas), and I’m cautious about where I put my feet down, so this was undoubtedly going to be a step out of my comfort zone.
Deciding On A Location For Trying Barefoot Running
On a cloudy and chilly Sunday morning I headed to York Racecourse. I regularly run around the cinder track on a Saturday for Parkrun, and I thought this would be a fairly safe space to give it a go. It’s a flat 2km loop; it’s tarmacked; it’s the place least likely to have any broken glass or litter, and there was grass should I need it.
Setting Off
Taking off the trainers and putting my feet on the cold hard track, I felt that this should be easy, but was ready to see what the next 2 kilometers brought.
Those first shoeless steps were strange as I tentatively put one foot in front of the other to get used to the sensation. I wasn’t sure how much force I could use and was trying to land more gently than I would have done if I’d been in trainers.
Running The Course
My soles slapped across the ground and I didn’t seem to have as much bounce as when I’m cushioned. As I found my stride I neared the first bend of the track.
Navigating my way around some lose stones, my feet were throbbing and felt like they were in flames.
Unfortunately they weren’t feeling firey because I was going faster than I’d ever run before. In fact, checking my watch this was a particularly slow pace, but as my good friend says, “every step forward is a step nearer the finish line!”
I was grateful for the piles of sand dotted around the course and ran over them for some soft cooling relief.
How It Felt Afterwards
It felt like it took me forever to get to the finish, but I finally made it having completed 2km, or 1.2 miles.
The pain in my soles was so intense I would have sworn they would be ripped to shreds and bleeding. As I lifted my heel, it was a mixture of relief and amazement that rather than looking like I needed some first aid, they actually just looked dirty.
Perhaps I have very soft feet from never exposing them to anything, and maybe they could do with toughening up?
Will I Be Trying Barefoot Running Again?
Well, I could try and remove my trainers more often, but you can’t remove the perils to the soles. Glass; nails; sharp stones; poo, there’s lots to look out for. I’m not sure it’s worth the risk even if it would toughen up my feet and over time become easier.
That said, there has been a lot written about the benefits of barefoot running. There is also ongoing advancement in barefoot shoes which will give a small layer of protection from whatever might be on the ground.
Whilst I am intrigued about barefoot trainers, and I might look at them as an option in the future, I think for now I’ll be keeping my trainers on.
Want To Try It Yourself?
- This is really easy to try, but there are definitely some things to consider if you want to give it a go – check out the recommendations below.
- If you’re already used to running, why not have a go and see what you notice and how it differs to running in footwear?
- If you’re signed up to Strava, take a look at barefoot running clubs such as this one
- There are several groups on facebook dedicated to barefoot running, such as barefoot running uk
- Take a look at meetup.com for any barefoot running groups near you.
- Check out these active experiences to try too.
Cost Of Experience
- Free!
- Unless you decided to give it a go on a track at a gym or a sports centre where you may have to pay to use the facilities, this new experience should not cost you anything.
Recommendations
- Take someone with you who can look after your trainers, or help you out if you need any support.
- Take some wipes to clean up your feet afterwards.
- Carry some plasters in your pocket. Thankfully I didn’t suffer any cuts or injuries, but I carried some just in case I needed them to patch myself up.
- Have some soft fluffy socks to put on afterwards. I slid my feet into a pair afterwards and it felt soooooo blissful!
- If you are trying this on your own, let someone know where you are going and how long you are likely to be.
- Consider where you are going to run. Try to find somewhere that is not likely to have litter or debris.
- Listen to your feet – if it’s too painful, stop.
- Start small. If you regularly run a 5km, trying that distance with barefeet might be a bit too far on a first attempt.
- Don’t forget to take some pictures! Let me know how you get on if you give it a try!
First of all, I just wanted to say I only recently found your blog and I think it’s such a cool idea! I think so many people would benefit from trying new things like you do it’s such an inspiration. This sounds really interesting I’m not a runner myself but this was a very cool perspective thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you’ve found it! I hope I can share more ideas to encourage people to give things a go – it’s been amazing for me and anyone can try new things! It was good to try barefoot running, but I’ve only done it this once, I’m definitely not converted! Thank you for reading :o)
I always prefer beating barefoot around my home, but doing it outside? I don’t think I could. Ignoring the risk of standing in animal faeces, cutting my feet on stuff because my feet are too soft would be enough to put me off
There are so many things to watch out for aren’t there? Thankfully I found a safe and clean space, but it’s not easy! And especially as I don’t really like to get my feet out at the best of times! That’s great you do it around your home! Thanks for reading.
Great idea to try barefoot running on a racecourse! My friends and I used to run barefoot on an oval track at a sports complex, and it was a lot of fun. However, I’d be hesitant to try it elsewhere due to the risk of stepping on things like glass or sharp objects. It’s definitely worth choosing a safe, clean area for barefoot running!
Wow! That’s so cool you used to do it! I’ve only done it this once – it’s not always easy to find clean safe spaces outside of sports places is it? Thank you so much for reading! :o)
I haven’t heard of barefoot running, but it was great to read about your experience! It’s good you found a safe place to run and you didn’t have any injuries!
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I really appreciate it! I’m very lucky there was somewhere I could easily give it a go that was litter free! :o)
What a cool concept! I really enjoyed reading about your experience with barefoot running. I’m glad to hear that there weren’t any injuries. Great tips and recommendations, Sally!
Thank you so much! :o)
I’m very grateful I only came away with dirty feet and nothing worse too!
Thank you for reading and the comment too, I very much appreciate it.
I love your blog! It’s so great to try new things – you don’t know until you try. Thank you for sharing your experience of running barefoot. Running isn’t really my thing but I know it’s meant to be good for you (and your feet)!
Thank you so much! :o)
It’s good to try new things isn’t it?! I’m not sure I’ll be running barefoot again any time soon, but I’m glad I gave it a go so I know what it’s like. Thank you for stopping by, and for reading and commenting. I very much appreciate it.