Dear followers (all 10 of you!),
I will no longer be posting blogs on this blog spot... I have moved to The Barefoot Professor site (barefootprof.blogspot.com)
If, for some crazy reason, you wish to keep following my blogs, please go to the new site since I will no longer be posting anything here!
Sincerely,
The Barefoot Professor
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Barefoot Running Injuries
Barefoot running is taking the nation by storm. Seriously, it's becoming something of a phenomenon. I started running barefoot in 2007. By 2009 I had convinced a few LU students to try barefoot running. On my 2010 book tour I met dozens of people who run exclusively barefoot and on more than one occasion Ive randomly seen people running barefoot even here in Lynchburg. With so many people giving it a try, are there any injuries popping up? The answer is Yes.
Assuming you don't enthusiastically over-do-it when you start, the most common barefoot running 'injuries' are really just minor blisters or muscle aches that come with using your feet for the first time! What I'd like to discuss here though is a more serious injury that seems to be fairly common to new barefoot runners, one we can call top-of-the-foot pain.
Top-of-the-foot pain is just that, a deep soreness felt on the top of the foot. Personally, I never experienced this when I started running barefoot. I first observed this in a female LU student who started running barefoot in 2009. Since then I've heard (via the internet) of numerous cases and most recently a male friend of mine got it. What is it?
Most likely, top-of-the-foot pain is a stress fracture of one of the foot bones, probably most often the second metatarsal or intermediate cuboid bone.
Most barefoot runners are fully aware that their feet need rehabilitating, but we usually think about muscles, tendons and other soft tissues when we talk of strengthening our shoe-weakened feet. However, the bones of our feet are weak, too. It is a well-known biological fact that bones respond to muscle conditioning: The bigger and stronger your muscles get, the thicker and stronger your bones get. In your feet, the extra muscle activity induced by barefoot running puts extra strain on the bones. Until these bones strengthen they are prone to injury. Thus, stress fracture and top-of-the-foot pain.
The good news: This too shall pass. The best remedy is probably to take a break from running for a few weeks and then ease back into it. Once the bones have healed (and strengthened), you should be running farther and faster than ever!
Assuming you don't enthusiastically over-do-it when you start, the most common barefoot running 'injuries' are really just minor blisters or muscle aches that come with using your feet for the first time! What I'd like to discuss here though is a more serious injury that seems to be fairly common to new barefoot runners, one we can call top-of-the-foot pain.
Top-of-the-foot pain is just that, a deep soreness felt on the top of the foot. Personally, I never experienced this when I started running barefoot. I first observed this in a female LU student who started running barefoot in 2009. Since then I've heard (via the internet) of numerous cases and most recently a male friend of mine got it. What is it?
Most likely, top-of-the-foot pain is a stress fracture of one of the foot bones, probably most often the second metatarsal or intermediate cuboid bone.
Most barefoot runners are fully aware that their feet need rehabilitating, but we usually think about muscles, tendons and other soft tissues when we talk of strengthening our shoe-weakened feet. However, the bones of our feet are weak, too. It is a well-known biological fact that bones respond to muscle conditioning: The bigger and stronger your muscles get, the thicker and stronger your bones get. In your feet, the extra muscle activity induced by barefoot running puts extra strain on the bones. Until these bones strengthen they are prone to injury. Thus, stress fracture and top-of-the-foot pain.
The good news: This too shall pass. The best remedy is probably to take a break from running for a few weeks and then ease back into it. Once the bones have healed (and strengthened), you should be running farther and faster than ever!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
2010 Barefoot Book Tour Complete
The book tour is finished! I traveled to 15 cities, passing through 20 states in 21 days and covered 5412 miles. I met a lot of wonderful people and saw a lot of beautiful places; I even sold a few books! I will post pictures (and maybe even some of my looney videos I shot while driving DUIB (Driving Under the Influence of Boredom). Right now... I'm exhausted and I'm going to bed. Good night world.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Columbus event
Columbus was an interesting dudd. Interesting because one hour before my talk I was informed that I would need to wear shoes (which I don't have on the tour). We thought there was a chance I would be denied entry. That did not happen; I was in fact welcomed politely, bare feet at all.
The event was a dudd because only one person showed up - SBL member Greg. Greg and I (and the event coordinator) enjoyed a good hour together, but it would've been nice to have a few more in the audience. Apparently, the event was not publicized at all by the library, the event was not even listed on its website!
Oh well. I had a great time with Greg, and the library event coordinator got an earfull as to why barefoot is better and businesses (and libraries) should not have a "shoe rule."
The event was a dudd because only one person showed up - SBL member Greg. Greg and I (and the event coordinator) enjoyed a good hour together, but it would've been nice to have a few more in the audience. Apparently, the event was not publicized at all by the library, the event was not even listed on its website!
Oh well. I had a great time with Greg, and the library event coordinator got an earfull as to why barefoot is better and businesses (and libraries) should not have a "shoe rule."
Monday, July 19, 2010
Chicago event
Not a big turn-out tonight in Chicago, but I really enjoyed meeting SBL members Pete (the carpenter), Therese and future SBL'er (?) Patrick. And Juli of Author! Author! gave me some great marketing tips!
I absolultely love tall buildings. I usually drive out of the way to get close to them. Sadly, very sadly, I may not have time to go to the tallest building in the U.S. right here in Chicago, but I will try.
I absolultely love tall buildings. I usually drive out of the way to get close to them. Sadly, very sadly, I may not have time to go to the tallest building in the U.S. right here in Chicago, but I will try.
Crime & Punishment... the barefoot way.
Imagine a young couple driving out on a date. The young man, more fixated on his girl than his driving, finds himself going 60 miles per hour in a 45mph zone. Unfortunately, he's spotted by a cop and is quickly pulled over. The police officer approaches the car and asks the female passenger for identification. He then proceeds to write *her* a ticket and leaves. What's wrong with this picture?
As far as I know, for every law in the United States, it is the person who breaks the law who pays the penalty. It works that way for theft, murder, tax evasion... everything. Except apparently for the health code "laws" that regulate restaurants and businesses.
No such laws actually exist, but I've been told by more than one restaurant manager that if "they got caught with me in there barefoot, they'd be fined." One manager even told me they'd be "shut down." Wow. This is serious stuff. Fined? Shut down? Like everybody out, doors padlocked, out-of-business "shut down"? Strangely, this is apparently the only law/code/regulation where the perpetrator goes home while someone else pays the price. If I walked into that restaurant not only barefoot but fully naked, who would be arrested/fined? The restaurant manager? I don't think so.
Silly. But many, many people believe the law works differently when you're barefoot.
As far as I know, for every law in the United States, it is the person who breaks the law who pays the penalty. It works that way for theft, murder, tax evasion... everything. Except apparently for the health code "laws" that regulate restaurants and businesses.
No such laws actually exist, but I've been told by more than one restaurant manager that if "they got caught with me in there barefoot, they'd be fined." One manager even told me they'd be "shut down." Wow. This is serious stuff. Fined? Shut down? Like everybody out, doors padlocked, out-of-business "shut down"? Strangely, this is apparently the only law/code/regulation where the perpetrator goes home while someone else pays the price. If I walked into that restaurant not only barefoot but fully naked, who would be arrested/fined? The restaurant manager? I don't think so.
Silly. But many, many people believe the law works differently when you're barefoot.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What's up with Missouri?
Missouri seems to be one hostile state to barefooting. You are probably aware that a family was ejected from a Burger King last year because their 6-month old baby was barefoot! The manager insisted that shoes were required (by law) and kicked them out! I happen to be staying with a friend in St. Louis who was actually with that family at the time it happened.
Sadly, it seems that few have learned much from that incident. I saw signs like "shirt and shoes required by state law" at several places today (I have the letter disproving that) and heard some truly horrific stories from fellow barefooters who live in the Show Me state. I even had a rather nasty experience myself in a store. I'm sorry to my friends who live here, but all I can say is, "Garmin... Show Me the way out of Missouri."
Sadly, it seems that few have learned much from that incident. I saw signs like "shirt and shoes required by state law" at several places today (I have the letter disproving that) and heard some truly horrific stories from fellow barefooters who live in the Show Me state. I even had a rather nasty experience myself in a store. I'm sorry to my friends who live here, but all I can say is, "Garmin... Show Me the way out of Missouri."
Links to my recent TV appearances
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Amazing Restaurant Experience
I just had the most amazing restaurant experience. I stopped at Olympia Steaks & Seafood in Blytheville, Arkansas for dinner. I was hesitant at first because I was wearing capri pants and (of course) barefoot, but I really wanted a good meal. They seated me, I ordered catfish with baked potato and everything went well. Then, after I finished eating, a waitress approached and asked me if I always go barefoot. We started a conversation and she was really interested. Within a few more minutes three other employees joined our conversation. A waiter (Mark) was really knowledgable about how shoes change your gait and he even bought a book! All of them were very accepting but curious. Oh, if everyone I met was like that!!!!
Mark, I hope you enjoy the book. I'll be waiting for that email...
Mark, I hope you enjoy the book. I'll be waiting for that email...
Friday, July 16, 2010
So yesterday instead of an interview with Wess (the sports anchor) I did an interview with Stefanie Bryant at KTHV in Little Rock. She was super nice and very intrigued by the whole barefoot thing. This morning I rose at 4am to be in the studio at 6am for a live segment on The Morning Show at KTHV with Alyson Courtney. At noon at did an hour-long presentation on shoes/feet at the Central Arkansas library; there were probably 50-60 people in attendance and I sold books to half of them! I really like these library venues; the people that come are very interested (and interesting). Tomorrow I head to Memphis for a Barnes & Noble.
Tonight I'm staying with Lee & Karen Smith again in their home outside of Little Rock. They were Carla's youth pastors back in the day! They are a great family.
***
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
TV interview on KTHV in Little Rock
On Thursday evening I will be interviewed by Wess Moore on KTHV TV in Little Rock, AR. I will be giving a presentation of The Barefoot Book on Friday at noon at Central Arkansas Library Main Branch/Cox Creative Center. I will be busy in Little Rock!
Welcome to my barefoot blog!
Welcome! I'm totally new to blogging, but I'm super excited to give it a try! Stay tuned to follow my progress through The Barefoot Book tour... and beyond!
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