Running

I think calf pain is more likely a technique issue than something to which you will simply adapt.

As far as I can see it is because my calf muscle is now absorbing the force of my foots impact with the ground, rather than the cushioning in my normal shoe.

As I have learnt to run with the cushioned shoe my calf has never adapted to take this repeated loading cycle, so it gets tired, and then once fatigued it starts to hurt.

Therefore, if I keep going barefoot running the muscles will increase in strength, and it will no longer hurt.

If there is a way I could adapt my technique to avoid this process then I am all ears.

running straight off the bike is really hard!

rode to Richmond park and ran around and it took 4 miles before i was up to my normal running speed.

really good run though and still managed to average my target speed of 9 min miles for the 7.2 miles lap, in fairness i could have gone on for another lap, but I've promised myself no to go over 7 miles until December to try and keep me as motivated as possible

Or clip a traffic cone?

yep, confirms i never want to do a traithlon, ironman, duathlon or any other multisports event.

but the wife has stolen my car for the weekend so needed a means of transport to get to and from the park.

ive only run there round and back once before and i was a lot fitter then, should be capable of it by mid january though!

Ran 8.1 miles in the Vibrams this morning (64 minutes) and 5 this afternoon (slightly faster). Just need to string that together for the half marathon. Then I want to build up to that distance barefoot.

4.7 mile run to get a coffee this morning http://app.strava.com/runs/2218945

Should have been a bit longer but I got frustrated waiting for the Garmin to find the sky, so it only picked my up from just under a mile in.

Average of 7.30 minute/mile, so I clearly didn't need a coffee that badly

Itb?

As far as I can see it is because my calf muscle is now absorbing the force of my foots impact with the ground, rather than the cushioning in my normal shoe.

As I have learnt to run with the cushioned shoe my calf has never adapted to take this repeated loading cycle, so it gets tired, and then once fatigued it starts to hurt.

Therefore, if I keep going barefoot running the muscles will increase in strength, and it will no longer hurt.

If there is a way I could adapt my technique to avoid this process then I am all ears.

Do you shorten your stride so that you land with your foot underneath you? In cushioned trainers, people land with the leg outstretched, relying on the bounce in the shoe's sole to carry them forward. Trying that barefoot/vff will hurt.

Are you trying too hard to stop your heel touching down, perhaps? It's important that the ball of the foot touches first, but toe and heel can make contact right after that. Some do try to avoid any heel contact, which can only be done by tensing calf muscles.

Do you land with a bent knee? Many barefoot runners use an exaggerated knee bend. It reduces the shock of impact and helps the thigh muscles to share the load and contribute to the spring back.

I definitely shorten my stride, and I am landing with a bent knee.

I think I probably am trying to avoid my heel landing at all, and am "springing" off my forefoot again using my calf muscle to effect the spring, just after it has absorbed the force of landing.

Sounds like a likely culprit, then. I ran up to Notting Hill yesterday and I was thinking about your remarks about calves. I usually run with loose hips and calves, but I found that if I tried too hard to control my footfall, my calves tensed up and began to hurt.

New trainers for my run this morning, same style/fit as the old ones.... but a much more comfort ride, and at my age I like a comfy ride. #phnahphnah

Not to blow my own trumpet but I'm pretty happy with this. On 4 out of the last 5 Sundays I've run the same c.20km circuit. The route is flat (c.140m ascent), mainly off road, and has always been preceded by a long run on the Saturday. The graph shows my average pace (minutes per kilometre) improving over the last 5 weeks and is quite satisfying :)

chapeau

Its a dog, wearing a towel over its hind legs.
Good work though

IT IS!! :)

Sadly thats the last time I'll run that route in a while, next week is a rest week and then Sunday runs get longer again.

my foot / ankle still not good, missing xc race #2 this weekend. ho hum.

I think it may be. Docs & physio next week to be sure & to get it fixed.

good call, R.I.C.E. between now and then, and if it is then you should be right as rain.

any idea about possible triggers; upped training, shoes being knackered are the usual culprits in my experience

Itb stretches are fun. Itb massage is a world of pain. Good luck with it.

^ it feels like you've got new knees afterwards though.

Could it be the extra weight that you're carrying?

Did a five mile genuinely barefoot (not VFF) run yesterday. Slightly faster than 8 minutes to the mile, which is very close to what I do in the Vibrams. Would have been faster if I had avoided Tulse Hill, which has some very, um, technical surfaces.

I am hoping to get some tips from you guys having just entered myself for the Brighton Marathon !
I originally put myself down for the London and was unsuccessful in the draw.
But have started training since September not wanting to leave it to the last minute.

I did my first 8 mile run on Sunday and was so pleased, no stopping at a continuous speed.
I completed in 1hr 20. May seem slow I dont know, but did feel relatively comfortable.
No aches or pains and no tiredness the next day.
Not really looking to get a fast time just knowing that I will be able to complete it.

This is my rest week but finding it weird not doing anything at all.
For those that do a rest time do you still do your usual commutes on the bike ete... or do nothing at all ?

Has anyone run the Brighton Marathon before and any advice and tips on keeping motivated in the cold winter months for training as this is all self motivated
long post hope your still reading :)

my best motivator is that i will go to bed a happy man if i've exercised, and if I haven't, I end the day thinking I should have

and i've decided that 3 swims / runs / rides per week is a good amount, any more is hopeless to fit in

^Very true. I've got a bit obsessive about doing some exercise before flumping on the sofa, a bit like an itch that must be scratched before I can relax.