As I do not spend my time under a rock, I have been exposed to the idea of barefoot or minimalist running. When I began running I hated the way my feet would feel just moments after being on the pavement. The very idea of having LESS between me and the unforgiving surface was completely inconceivable. Last year, temptation did strike as I was getting into trail running. However, a few sticks, rocks and bruises I later found lead me to believe that was also not a good idea.
So, when I decided to try a pair of minimal shoes the other week, I expected all fears to be confirmed. Unexpectedly, I was in love. Never have I felt a connection and comfort with a pair of shoes the moment they touched my feet. Although I just finished a run, and was feeling a limp coming on, and numbness in the balls of my feet, I wanted to run in these shoes. No, I wanted to SOAR in these shoes. After a quick jog around the parking lot, swerving through parking markers and on and off of the grass, I was committed. Less than a week later they were mine. The woman who wanted to run in marshmallows, decided to feel what was under her feet. I decided to work with instead of against my most important running tool.
Prior to the actual purchase I found myself wondering how they made my feet feel so good. The more I thought about it, the more I realized it was not only my feet that felt better. My uneasy stomach settled, organs seemed aligned, my back felt stronger and my headache eased. Not that I was falling apart, but the new life I felt pressed into me was nearly indescribable. This lead to a little research and I am proud to come to the realization on my own, minimal running and reflexology are connected!
Reflexology is essentially the belief and practice certain areas in the feet or hands correspond to other areas of the body For example a common complaint among runners is issues with the sciatic nerve. According to reflexology a certain manipulation of the curve along the lower back part of the heel could relief discomfort. While some may argue protective shoes prevent damage and thus pain, I would suggest forcing and holding feet into a position they do not naturally want to fall into could also be damaging. Minimal running may be a treat to get a reflexology massage. Reports suggest the longer a person wears barefoot or minimal shoes the stronger the feet can and will become. I plan to use this reasoning to transition into a minimal approach. Test it out; see if it feels even a little better. Wait a day or two, and try again, each time trying a little longer.
Probably very few people woke up one day and ran a marathon on the first outing. Learning a new style of running should be approached with the same caution. Train the feet to sense and appreciate the process and perhaps something rewarding will happen.
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