Free your FEET and your MIND will follow

My barefoot experience started when I got a call from ASAP Headwoman, Perl Jacalan, that VIVO Barefoot wanted to give away trial shoes for runners in Cebu. I smiled as I confessed to Perl that I have already been running barefoot for the past few weeks to improve my form and to get rid of an annoying hip discomfort I had since the MILO Cebu Eliminations. I became an attraction at the gym as I walked towards the treadmill or indoor track with my usual gym shoes then removed them as I started running. I ran with my bare feet for 15 minutes then slowly increased to 20 then 30 minutes. It felt great running like a kid again.

After I got my VIVO Barefoot EVO running shoes from Karen and Harley of Terra Plana Philippines I was excited. Finally, I can run barefoot on the streets not having to fear glass or rock hurting my feet. I was so excited that I decided to run 10K during the ECO-Dash Fun Run using my EVO. I planned for a slow and receptive run but the shoes felt so good that I increased pace to finish at sub-60 minutes. As expected, I felt some soreness in my calves while running because the shoes force me to land on my forefoot and as lightly as possible. I was no longer hammering my foot to the ground with every footstrike to gain speed. Despite having been trained in Midfoot or forefoot running, Barefoot running is a totally new experience.

(My First EVO Run during the ECO-Dash Fun Run)

I am now a witness of how running barefoot helps all the runners improve their form and avoid injuries. Running with your bare feet strengthens the leg and foot muscles that are neglected when running with cushioned shoes. Expect to get calf or foot muscle soreness after your first few runs with barefoot shoes as these are signs that they are now stimulated and needs to gain more strength. The soreness should not be confused with bony pain that one feels on the knees or the ankles when running with barefoot shoes and landing with a heelstrike. Never heelstrike on barefoot shoes. If you are, then start slow and learn to correct your form. Land lightly on your forefoot with slightly flexed knees, feel the ground and never overstride. Barefoot running is about high cadence and landing forefoot. Run as quietly as you can. 

After a 10K Long run and a few more 30 minute runs in the gym, I wore my EVO running shoes during the MO Plus 16K run and followed a Sub-1:45 pace. Again, I started slow and climbed to JY Square with a little calf discomfort. My pace slowly increased until I was about a kilometer away from the finish line 15 minutes ahead of target pace. As expected, my calf muscles were sore the day after. I used my compression calf sleeves and let my calf recover. Every time I feel muscle soreness from running, I cross-train. Swim! Bike!

The transition to barefoot running is a slow process. More so if you have been running with cushioned shoes for months or years. Your foot and legs seem stiff during your runs and your muscles sore after. That's a good sign!!! It means barefoot running is doing what its suppose to be doing while you run. It strengthens your leg and foot muscles, it causes you to be more aware of the terrain and it corrects your form. I was lucky to have ran with Michael Sandler during his brief stay in Cebu and was given a few running tips. Michael and wife Jessica, authors of bestseller book Barefoot Running, were invited by VIVO Barefoot to enlighten Filipinos on the benefits of Barefoot running. They share their passion for barefoot running in their website www.runbare.com.

(Post-Run talk with Michael Sandler during the ASEAN Heart Fun Run) 

 (VIVO Barefoot sponsored TEAM REBORN)

On the 2nd week of December, Cebu will launch its first Barefoot store in Ayala Center Cebu. VIVO Barefoot by Terra Plana Philippines will soon cater to the barefoot needs of all Cebuanos. See you There!!!