I've started a pattern of barefoot running on the treadmill. Half my daily mileage (sometimes more) is run barefoot. I begin shod, but after about 2 miles (though sometimes I can make it 3) my shoes begin to bother my feet, so I toss the shoes to the side and resume running barefoot. The difference in my stride is amazing, and it's lovely to run without pain in my feet from shoes, no feeling of too-tightness and no knee pain. Truly the only pain is from my lower calf muscles. They always know I'm running barefoot, and remind me throughout the day afterwards.
I really have a hard time running more than 5-6 miles on the treadmill. I find it terribly boring. Even breaking up the mileage by mph bores me. I've begun to change it up to help increase my speed. My natural stride seemed to be 5.2 mph and I could run at that speed for miles and miles without even getting winded really. 6.0 mph is more of a push for me and 6.5 mph gets tough after about .25/mile. I fully realize that in order to really perform in a 5k or 10k I need to be hitting 7.5 mph easily. I'm trying to be patient and work up slowly. It's hard. I like to see progress YESTERDAY, but my aging body won't let me push it any harder or faster than I am right now.
Still, I remain dedicated and I run on the treadmill M-F without fail, 3 miles being my minimum. On some of those days I also run after work, depending on how hard I pushed on my lunch break.
Several 5Ks are coming up and I'd like to run at least one per month, with my real goal of the Peachtree Road Race (10k) on July 4. That's a huge one, with thousands of runners and over 150,000 spectators each year.
I need to be running 10+ miles a day, though, to really do any justice to myself and my age group in that race.
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3 comments:
Good luck! You'll get there by sticking to it. You've got a lot of dedication and time invested now!:)
Ouch! 10 miles a day could set you up for injury if you're not careful. I love the idea of running barefoot...though not on a treadmill. I hate the treadmill with a passion and when I have to run on it, I'll maybe do 4 on the treadmill and then another 1 or 2 on the track.
Races are great motivation and watching your times drop with each race is even more encouraging. I'd love to do the Peachtree some day. I hear it's the best 5k in the country!
Good luck with your training, but don't forget a rest day :)
And I think it's totally cool that you can run more than 6 miles now! It's hard to come back. I promise not to talk about my dogs... (I'm catching up on my reading after my lengthy absence)
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