Allison's Big Toe

Ouch! Hello, Calves.

So, I’ve been rediscovering my calf muscles in the past couple weeks while barefoot/minimalist running. This morning I shuffled downstairs, trying not to use the screaming parts of my body much. I’m amazed at how quickly the muscles break down! I didn’t run much from November through January because I started the GAPS diet, but I didn’t think that I’d have to build my legs back up all over again after having run the Camarillo Half Marathon back in October. Well, hobbling home in my Vibram FiveFingers last night and on the run last week, I realized I can’t just pick up where I left off. In a way, this is great because my body, with the pain in my calves, forces me to take the running introduction slowly and not go too far at first. I’ve run four times so far this year, and each time I’ve pushed it further than the last. I ran 4.5 miles yesterday and probably should not have gone that far. But I’m running a 4 mile race this weekend on Superbowl Sunday and I just wanted to make sure I could do the distance. Now that I know I can do it, even though I might be in some pain, I feel better.

When I first started running in FiveFingers back in June and made the initial transition to barefoot running, I couldn’t run more than .5 miles at a time without my calves cramping up. So, I know that 4.5 miles is not something to have rushed in to yesterday.  But I was motivated by the race this weekend, which I still think was a good thing. My favorite part of the run was how my cardio system and arm muscles felt. I find the GAPS diet to be extremely nourishing, even though it eliminates ALL cereal grains and sugar. If I make sure my meals have LOTS of good fats, I feel energized all the way through a run. I don’t get the blood sugar spike/crash problem that comes with eating and drinking processed, sugary electrolyte supplements and carbo loading. I drink natural coconut water for electrolyte replacement and it seems to work really well, and my energy level on last night’s run was solid. I could have run much further if my calves would have been up to the challenge. Also, I know that the arm workouts that I do each morning are helping my running. I feel like I can do the ChiRunning arm swing / pelvic rotation technique much easier when my arms and shoulders are strong and not fatigued.

Well, that’s it for now. Have a great weekend everyone! I’ll update after the Sunday race. (I don’t even know who is playing in the Super Bowl ;)

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