I have run before, but its always been uncomfortable, which didn’t make it fun, but I was determined to do it for exercise. Last year, I joined a local running training group for both social and prepare for a half marathon. It was fun being able to meet people through running at my speed. I was told many times to shut up because I liked to talk when I run.
After my first half marathon, my feet hurt for about a week, something I attributed as a badge of honor. Needless to say, the rest of me hurt too, which lead to a week or two of recovery. I started training for my next half marathon (SJ Rock n Roll).
It was on long run (11 miles) that I was having major problems with my shoes and therefore my feet. I was wearing the right socks, hydrated, and even baby powdered to keep sweating under control. At mile 10, my feet felt like they were in a perpetual sauna. I took off my shoes and with the pain of the blisters just started to walk. This is what I will say was my eureka moment, which people will speak of years from now.
I started a light jog to finish the last mile, all while barefoot. Please forgive me if this sounds exaggerated, but this was the single greatest feeling my feet had ever had from running. There was no soreness from shoes, no rubbing to create blisters, and most importantly my feet could breathe. I received many worried looks from my fellow runners as they feared my safety for the possibility of stepping on something sharp.
There was no outside influence for minimal running for me. I had no idea where to begin about doing research or starting my journey with minimal running. I proceeded to do the half marathon, as trained, in my normal running shoes. I had a faster time, but the same reoccurring problem, my feet hurt like hell afterwards.
