Barefoot Bootcamp

It seems Juliana has picked up a few ideas about barefoot running after reading Born to Run recently (I'm next in line to borrow it!). So when we met for our run this morning and she suggested a couple of laps barefoot on the track, I thought: Why not? As J pointed out, it would give me something to blog about. :)

I've done some barefoot running in the past - specifically of the beach variety in Cuba and Antigua.

We peeled off our shoes and socks once we got to the track and got started on our first lap. It was certainly different from beach running! The surface wasn't quite as soft as I was anticipating; it felt okay at first, but the balls of our feet were on fire by the end of that lap.

After that we decided to stick to the soft, wet grass and it felt much better.

But first J had another idea up her sleeve; we completed our own mini bootcamp, doing sets of various exercises between each lap: push-ups, squats, sit-ups, jumping jacks, lunges.

We completed 7 barefoot laps, 40-45 push-ups, 30 squats, 50 sit-ups, 50 jumping jacks and walking lunges across the field before putting our shoes back on. When we started running in our shoes again, we both noticed immediately how light and comfortable we felt; it was the strangest sensation, especially when we expected the opposite! Go figure. I think we may have to do some experimentation...

Great way to start Friday!