We had a few inches of snow over the weekend – always a big deal in England. Anyway, I couldn’t resist testing out my form using the slippery conditions as the perfect testbed. Let me explain. If running using the correct natural form, running on snow and ice should be fairly easy. As you shouldn’t be using long strides, nor should you be pushing off with your toes. Thus, running on snow and ice is the perfect way to test your current form, and to help you hone that form.
I found that I was tending to push of slightly with my toes which made me slip slightly on take off. This was easy to correct and correcting it made my steps feel even lighter if that’s possible. The running was so good that my plan to build up to my next target distance slowly went completely out of the window and I continued on to do a complete circuit of the Common, 6k. It was such an enjoyable run.
I think that pushing off with my toes was probably the cause of the unexplained blisters on the balls of my feet 4 months ago. This would have created friction on that part of my foot which generated heat which in turn caused the blisters. Of course my bare skin gripped so well on the tarmac that I didn’t notice this and after 5k the damage was done.
I’m happy that I’ve got an explanation for my setback from actual barefoot running.
So I ran 6k Saturday morning and another 6k Sunday morning. My calves are complaining a little, but nothing to worry about. I did have 3 months off running, so I expect a little reconditioning of my legs as I get back into this.