Baring it all

Move that body: 2.3-mile walk

Walking.

That was the only thing I ever intended to do in my Vibrams. I understand there are benefits to barefoot running and that people really enjoy it but it’s not just something I’m interested in. I am, on the other hand, interested in preventing injuries and thought walking in Vibrams would provide some of the benefits of barefoot running without actually barefoot running.

Of course, that all changed tonight when a little someone woke up about a third of a mile from home and let me know he was hungry. Very hungry, I gathered from the, err, volume of his request. Some moms might be able to listen to their young one scream as they finish their walk but Miles’ cries make my blood curdle.

So I ran. I ran the third of a mile home in my Vibrams.

How did I like it? Umm … let’s just say I didn’t love it.

I enjoy walking in my Vibrams because they are lightweight and easy, offer my muscles a chance to work on a walk and remind me of playing kickball barefoot in the cul-de-sac as a child. (Yes, I was the girl with the black feet all summer long. I’m pretty sure my mom hated me.)

Running that short distance in my Vibrams wasn’t an experience for me the way walking in them is. Sure, it could have been the reason I was running in them. I mean, no one like a run motivated by an unhappy child. But … I don’t know … it just didn’t seem, well, me.

What’s your stance on barefoot running?

Back in the, err, saddle

Pretend you are reading this on Friday when I started writing this post …

Everything hurts. My calves. My quads. My butt. My abs. My shoulders. My head.

All because I went for a measly 3.2-mile run yesterday. OK, my head hurts because I need coffee or Diet Coke. Everything else, though … all because of a run.

My first post-baby run.

Now, I hadn’t been planning to make my comeback until Saturday so I wasn’t ready. I had no real strategy mapped out. However, Mark encouraged me to to take out the BOB on Thursday morning as he got ready for school (the car seat adapter arrived Wednesday) and, well, you don’t have to tell me to run twice. At least the old me.

So after Miles’ second morning feeding, I got him situated in the car seat, put on my Garmin and Road ID and headed down the street. We walked the first quarter mile and then began a slow jog. And when I slow, I mean S-L-O-W. My focus was just to make it as long as I could before I had to die, walk long enough to catch my breath and go again. I made it about 1.7 miles before walking .15 and going again. There was one more short walk break – a block or so – before I “sprinted” home.

I really wish I could say that the run felt amazing, that it was like riding a bike – coming back naturally – but I felt heavy. Tired. Slow. It was my legs forgot what it was like to move.

As for Miles? He was quite happy with his introduction. Active and alert the entire run, he stayed content as I tried to wash away the frustration of such a poor comeback.

I know that it will take time, effort, patience and miles (and Miles :) ) to get to where I was. I just wish I wasn’t starting so far away.

What are your return to running tips – whether it’s from a baby or injury?