I got to run with Chris McDougall!

Here's your sign :)

So, last night on DailyMile, one of the runners posted that they were doing a 3 mile run with Chris McDougall, and I had to ask where it was at.  She mentioned where and when: 3:00 talk at Kutztown, 4:00 autograph session and a 5:00 3 mile run.  Given that I hadn't received a phone call yet about power being returned to our schools, I thought I might have a shot at another snow/emergency day and get to see Chris speak AND get my copy of Born to Run autographed AND run with him (and a few others...blah blah blah:  Hi Wildflower :) ).  Shortly after I found out about it, I got the call- power was restored and we were to have school.  CRAP!  Oh well.  So, my new plan was to change at school right after the kids left and then speed my ass to Kutztown to try to make the 5:00 run (about a 55 minute drive without traffic).  So, the kids left, I changed, cleaned some stuff up and got my ass to Kutztown!  Wooo!  I made it in time to stand around for about 10 minutes and chat with another runner before we headed out!

He was so friendly before, during and after the run!

Some of the runners were going sans shoes for the first time right from the start.  I opted to stay in my shoes- that whole you-have-been-feeling-good-in-your-recovery-from-injuries-and-illnesses-fear-of-getting-hurt-trying-something-new feeling made me stay in them.  We headed out and ran on mostly grass mixed with some pavement and gravel for the 3 mile course.  Chris seemed to spend time talking with everybody- at the front for a while, then moving back to us slower runners.  Of course, he wanted to talk running, see how the barefoot people were doing, races, etc.  He was just very friendly!  He also loved the area.  He mentioned a few times how gorgeous the views are.  And he's right!  I LOVE running around here, too- it's gorgeous  day, night, cold, warm, rainy- All. The. TIME!  When we made it back to the parking lot, he talked to the other runners who had gone barefoot for the first time, about how their form looked good, how they felt.  They all responded that they really enjoyed it!  Then he said, "Who wants to go for some more miles?"  Well, many did!  So, I took off my shoes and socks and we headed out again!  It was slow going for me at first until I got used to running barefoot.  I also kept my shoes with me figuring I'd be putting them back on after a few minutes.  I did eventually catch up with Chris and a few other runners after a mile or so.  At this point I was feeling fine!  I was surprised I wasn't feeling achy at all.  I struck up a conversation with Chris about trail races and he mentioned one that I may have to check out next year (The Conestoga Trail Run).  He mentioned that it's very difficult and that no runner has been able to average under 9 minutes a mile for the race.  Sounds like my kinda fun.  It'll definitely be on my calendar for next year!!

Rocking the barefoot stride :)

When we got back to the parking lot (it was either 5 or 6 total for both loops) we all stood around and just continued to talk about running- barefoot and otherwise.  Of course I got my photo taken with him:

Me and Chris McDougall!!!  Woooot!

And I also took a shot of each foot after the run:

Left Foot

Right Foot

My overall impressions of running barefoot?  I LOVED it.  The only negative for me is the fact that I love running shoes and if I run barefoot, I won't be buying as many :(  I doubt that I will become a total barefoot runner, but I will do it more often.  I was able to run in them a lot longer than I thought.  I thought I'd make it a few minutes, then put my shoes back on (I was carrying them with me).  I was wrong!  My feet and calves felt (and feel now, three hours later) great!  I really feel that playing whiffle ball, soccer, etc. with my kids in the backyard barefoot as well as the style of shoes I run in helped make the 3 miles go by just fine!  When I hit some gravel, I just went slower, and focused on taking more steps and stepping more softly.  I did the same with pavement and the sidewalks, minus the going slower.  My form felt good the entire time as well.  I even liked the feel of mud squishing between my toes :)  I did feel a bit of a twinge on my big toe when my foot slid, and I did end up with a hot spot there, but I blame that on the mud, not on running barefoot.  

Do I now think barefoot running is for everyone?  Yup!  And I always have.  I think taking off your shoes and socks at the end of a run and heading out for 20, 30 feet and building up to more, can help with your form.  Give it a try!  And, of course, it brings up the question:

Are you a barefoot runner?  Whether it's a lot or a little, let us know!