Barefoot Running

Last night I started reading Barefoot Running Step By Step by Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton and today I decided to put some of it into use. I've never been a runner - this is a new thing for me, so I'm approaching it with a slow and steady zeal. I ran barefoot on the beach for 2 miles. What's exciting is that as I implemented what I'd learned last night in the book, my running felt easier and better. I kept telling myself: head and back up, hips swaying. As soon as I did that, running was actually easier. This is good news to a woman who wants to connect with the earth as much as possible.

I've only read a little bit of the book so far, but it was enough for a good day of exercise today. I also concentrated on Ken Bob's advice to keep the knees bent so that they act like springs, instead of a straight landing leg that might take the brunt of the impact.

Highly recommended. I was clueless on how to start!

Hip swaying is something that doesn't come naturally to me ever since I had a scoliosis surgery. I think since then I've unconsciously tried to keep my torso as still as possible when walking or running. So I kept reminding myself to let loose a little in my hips.

When I first heard that you need to 'learn' how to run barefoot, I thought that sounded strange since barefoot is 'natural'. But it's true that we've all been in shoes since we started walking, and shoe-running and barefoot-running are definitely different animals. You can see the difference in this video. At around 5:26 they show the barefoot fore-foot strike on the treadmill. In shoes, you hit heel first. Major difference!

I will finish the book and give a review. So far I think it's great. It's well-written with large color photographs. I was actually pleasantly surprised when I opened it.

Read the book to find out why NOT to start your barefoot running career on the beach…

The full name of the book is Barefoot Running Step by Step: Barefoot Ken Bob, the Guru of Shoeless Running, Shares His Personal Technique for Running with More Speed, Less Impact, Fewer Leg Injuries, and More Fun.

Coming soon, a more detailed review - of both the book and my barefoot running.