First full "stealth run"

I say "stealth run" as one of the first things you notice about running shoeless is how quietly you can run.

Anyhow, I thought I'd go to the club tonight as my wife's in Jersey and I fancied a go at trying a run completely shoeless and sockless. We set out down the cycle track (all tarmac now) and that was easy enough for the first mile or so but the skin of my feet started to feel hot, a bit as if blisters were developing. Consequently, when we reached the edge of the golf course I moved off of the cycle path an on to the grass.

That brought some comfort but also some anxieties as I'm sure that's where Troonies walk their dogs! I was careful to avoid any particularly luxuriant growths of longer than average grass in case they held any hidden "surprises". ;-)

After that it was across the railway line via the footbridge and then across another golf course. This was particularly enjoyable after the hard tarmac. We then headed across the dunes and down to the beach where I then hoofed it northwards to catch the main body of runners who had got away from me whilst I was tiptoeing down one particularly horrid section of path.

Again, I delighted in the fleetness of foot that you can achieve running unshod (on the right surface).

We finished off by heading up St Meddan's road back to the Marr which was mostly okay apart from a section of pavement that consisted of textured concrete rather than tarmac. Very prickly!

By the end I'd done 4.5 miles of mixed surface running barefoot. Some of it had been unpleasant but some had been really enjoyable. My feet/ankles/shins/knees all feel absolutely fine so I think I'm going to stick with this a bit longer. I love the lightness of foot of barefoot running, I'm just not sure I'll ever get used to the prickling & stones etc!

Hopefully my Vibram 5 Finger shoes will be the answer.