Fat-- the idea behind barefoot running is that our SHOES are the REASON we have so many running related injurues, and i think it makes PERFECT sense!! The more "support" and "stability" put into a new, high-end running shoe, the LESS your feet and leg muscles have to work to "support" and "stabilize" you. Basically we are giving our own feet permission to get weak, if that makes sense........

I agree about the snow....we almost NEVER got out of school for snow, unless there was so much people couldnt leave their driveways.......

crazy weather - good day for the elliptical afterall, I guess.

MK - very curious to hear more about barefoot running - do you run in booties or something to protect your soles a bit?

MBN - Thanks so much for your response. I thought it was just me! I definitely pushed myself pretty hard on Sunday and it caught up with me, but it was totally worth it!

Ilene and Slyvied - Hope you feel better soon!

Mk - Glad to hear your foot is ok! Are you just doing a bunch of short runs these days? During my race on Sunday, I saw a guy running "barefoot" but in those cool new black rubbery shoes with a space for each toe. Not something I'm ready to look into, but let us know how it goes!

Sorry you guys are having crazy weather! It's definitely cooling down here, but no snow in LA I think I'm starting to develop seasonal allergies though! My nose has been runny for a week and I'm just sleepy all the time, but I can tell I'm not sick with a cold (or the swine flu!!). Anyone else get allergies? What do you do to deal with the fatigue? I'm full of questions these days!

Barefoot running interest me as well. My arches are so weak I can't imagine running, I can barely walk barefoot. I am trying in Yoga to do things that increase my arch strength. The vibram running footies are pretty cool looking though. Did anyone else see the 50-50-50 documentary? Dean Karnazes (sp?) ran 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. People would come out to run with him when he was in town. Somewhere west coast(probably Cali) somebody ran wearing cheap flip flops and cutoffs like he does everyday . I can't remember exactly, but he ran alot every day( like 20+ miles) in cheap flip flops, cut offs and a big straw hat. My dh thought I might want to return my new suacanys and check it out.............

wow - I think I'd rather be totally barefoot than in flipflops!

Ya, so, i actually BOUGHT a pair of those Vibram Five Finger shoe thingies, with the slots for each toe and a rubbery bottom. The ONLY thing they do, is protect your feet from hazards on the ground when you are running. They provide NO support or anything. They feel amazing!!!!

SGeran----Running barefoot should actually MAKE your arches stronger! Thats kinda the point. As for me, i have these RIDICULOUSLY high Barbie doll arches, which, apparently make me ideally suited for running barefoot without needing much of an adjustment period. Your arches act like springs, and if you have flat feet or weak arches, running barefoot will re-strengthen the ligaments/muscles/tendons that support the arch. My doctor thinks im crazy for tryin this though.

im SO EXCITED to get outSIDE and try running barefoot...ive been doing it on the treadmill a few times since the marathon -- after i hurt my foot, when i discoverd i could run on the treadmill at an incline. my calves are SO SORE. but its a good sore!!!! YOu guys should try this next time you go to the gym!! Just take off your shoes on the treadmill (keep wearing your socks if you want). Set the treadmill at a bit of an incline, like 2%. Then run at a comfy pace. Its going to feel REALLY Weird at first. Our shoes have taught us to strike with our heels when we run, and to lean/power forward, and what not. When you are running barefoot, you CANT strike with your heel, which you will figure out within about 2 seconds. you have to hit with the ball of your foot, and you will naturally roll outward THEN back to your heel in one motion. You will also end up taking much smaller steps, and your foot will strike underneath you, instead of a little in FRONT of you. All in all, it feels different, but you will adjust to it within a minute or two.

TakingCharge-- i dont get allergies, so i am no help, sorry!

Hey all!! Thought i would post a few pictures illustrating why i am unable to RUN or leave my HOUSE for the past two days...GRRRRRRRRRRRRR.......................... CABIN FEVER!!! This picture is my daughter in the backyard---no, they are NOT snow DRIFTS, this is flat out how much snow we got, and YES, she is standing up straight!!! Check out the grill in the foreground, and the trampoline in the background!! The weight of the snow Broke it completely (but that might be hard for you guys to see!!! Also,a couple pics of my new Five Fingers! Im just Itching to try em out outside!
Fat, DAnce...you guys snowed in as well??

grrr----pictures wont post!! Will keep trying

In the UK Eddie Izzard did something similar with the consecutive marathons. I love Eddie... I was surprised when I heard he even ran let alone did 1000 miles in marathons!

http://eddieizrunning.com/

mk - definitely way snowed in! definitely another elliptical day for me!

ideal - from the little I know of Eddie Izzard, the running thing seems way out of character - how funny!

We actually did not get snowed in...can you believe that?? Usually we're worse down south but we got maybe 3-5 inches total. Yesterday was barely anything, today it piled up but still not enough to stay home from work (darn it!!) I am on the north side of the city and just barely a mile south of my house/work it's like an entirely different town... just a trace of snow. I can't believe it's doing this and it's not even November... think it's gonna be a LOOOONG winter!!

yikes - fat pants - I so hope you're wrong about this winter!

Hello All,
I know that October is almost over and a new November thread will be coming soon, but I want to jump on this band wagon while I'm thinking about it. Some faces are familiar, others not, but I'm looking forward to chatting with you all. I recently started running - about 2-1/2 months ago, then started C25K first of October so I'm currently in Week 4, will do W4D3 tomorrow. My goal is to be able to run a 5K next spring - I've already found one taking place April 24th that I want to run. For my long term goal, there's a Frosty 50K here in town each January that I'd like to be able to do in 2011 - no way I could do 31miles by this January! Even 2011 is probably pushing it, but what is life without goals?

Hi all I am new to running too. Started in Aug with the goal of being able to do a 5K well met that goal at the end of Sept and kinda lost my momentum is that normal? or am I just being a wus because the weather went nasty?

anyway I have a new delima and I am hoping you vetrans can advise. My business partner recently went back to running after a hyatis and wants to run durning afternoon breaks with me. (he is in my office 1-2 weeks a month) well my stride is slooow but steady and himn being male and I am sure a longer stride I am worried I will try and keep up with him instead of my own pace and then need to walk because I was going to fast...any suggestions? I know this is kinda silly-but I am competive but just not ready to be competive

Amy - nice to see you over here!

nancy - welcome! I would probably tell your partner what your pace (min/mile) is and ask him if he's comfortable running with you at that speed. A married couple that I'm friends with run at different paces (she's the faster one) so they do a loop from opposite directions and pass each other a couple of times while they're out - that may give you another option. Good luck!