Barefoot Running University- Helping runners learn the art and science of barefoot and minimalist shoe running

Guinness just confirmed our attempt to set the World Record for most barefoot runners in a single race!!! The race will be the Fifth Third Riverbank Run in Grand Rapids, MI on May 8th, 2010. There are three distances- 5k, 10k and 25k.

Read more...

3/3/2010

Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot Lucy Review

Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot's "Lucy" shoe is a woman's shoe designed to be an alternative to being barefoot. Yes, I am a male. No, I did not actually test the shoe... my wife Shelly did. She is a recent barefoot running convert that was suffering for a problem that plagues many barefoot runners: what to wear when shoes are required. Shelly, like me, is a teacher. We have the freedom to kick off our shoes during class, but still need something to wear when walking through the hallways and outside. This is especially true during out harsh Michigan winters.

3/02/2010

Barefoot Runner Meetup at Fifth Third Riverbank Run in Grand Rapids, MI on May 8th

Are you a barefoot or minimalist shoe runner looking to meet others? Join us for this awesome event! We're still planning the specific details, but it promises to be a great time! Find details here!

2/27/2010

"The Barefoot Running Guide" giveaway!

I'm still trying to build my collection of information regarding barefoot running (and ultras) on this blog and my Barefoot Running University website. In an effort to spread the word, I'm going to give away copies of my "The Barefoot Running Guide" ebook to those that help me out. There are three ways to get a copy:

1. If you have a website or blog, add a link to this blog (http://barefootjason.blogspot.com) and my website (http://barefootrunninguniversity.com) to your website or blog. Once the link is added, send me the link to your site to this address: robillardj "at" gmail "dot" com. I will send you the ebook in the return email. If your site or blog is barefoot or ultra-related, I'll add it to my BRU links as well. If you are an RD, I can add your ultramarathon to my calendars, too. If you already have links to both, send me your address and I'll send you a copy!

2. Recruit five "friends" for my blog (http://barefootjason.blogspot.com/). All you have to do is send me an email of the screen names of the five people you recruited at the same email as above.

3. Recruit 20 "fans" for my Barefoot Running University fan page on Facebook. Once you recruit 20, send me an email to the address above with the FB names of your 20 recruits.

I'll keep this going until Friday, March 5th at midnight.

2/26/2010

Vibram Five Fingers KSO review

Vibrams's Five Fingers KSO is the current gold-standard by which all other minimalist shoes are measured. I have used this shoe extensively for about three years in many different conditions. It is my default gym shoe, my winter running shoe, my asphalt-too-hot-for-barefoot shoe, and the shoe I wore to finish my first 100 mile race in September of 2009. This model has served me well and is still my preferred minimalist shoe, but does suffer from some minor faults that prevent it from being the Holy Grail of minimalist running shoes.

2/25/2010

Ultramarathons for Lazy Runners: Chapter Three- Can I run ultras if I'm already a slow runner?

There's a myth that runners have to be good to run ultramarathons. By "good" I mean fast. Sure, many ultrarunners are blazing fast in shorter races. It's not a prerequisite, though. It's entirely possible to be turtle-slow and still finish an ultra. I would go out on a limb and say it may be advantageous to be slow.
Generally speaking, there's an inverse relationship between speed and distance. As distances increase speed (as measured by pace) decreases. Once you get to ultra distances, the non-elites are pretty slow. How slow? When i finished my first 100 this last September, my average pace was around 17:30. No, that's not a typo. Yes, most people can walk faster than that. The point... it's a VERY slow average pace. Even at my fastest, I doubt I ran more than 10 minute miles.

In ultras, slow is the name of the game. If you already run slow... perfect! You won't have to learn how to restrain yourself in the early miles of ultras. Many novice runners start out way too fast, which results in a severe crash-and-burn. The ability to run slow is an under-appreciated skill set.

I know you're still doubting me...

2/24/2010

Barefoot Ultramarathon runner running 24 hours for hunger

Leif Rustvold, one of the few other barefoot ultrarunners here in the US, is running in the Pacific Rim One Day Run to benefit the Oregon Food Bank. The best part- he's doing it barefoot! Leif ran the Hundred in the Hood 100 miler last September in Vibrams... the same day I ran the Hallucination 100 in Vibrams. He ran a marathon the next weekend while I was still hobbling up stairs. Check out his Distance Minimally blog for more info.

3/4/2010

Be a Part of a World Record Attempt!- Most Barefoot Runners in a Single Race...

3/3/2010

Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot Lucy Review

3/02/2010

Barefoot Runner Meetup at Fifth Third Riverbank Run in Grand Rapids, MI on May 8th

2/27/2010

"The Barefoot Running Guide" giveaway!

2/26/2010

Vibram Five Fingers KSO review

2/25/2010

Ultramarathons for Lazy Runners: Chapter Three- Can I run ultras if I'm already a slow runner?

2/24/2010

Barefoot Ultramarathon runner running 24 hours for hunger

	3/4/2010 Be a Part of a World Record Attempt!- Most Barefoot Runners in a Single Race... Guinness just confirmed our attempt to set the World Record for most barefoot runners in a single race!!! The race will be the Fifth Third Riverbank Run in Grand Rapids, MI on May 8th, 2010. There are three distances- 5k, 10k and 25k. Read more... 3/3/2010 Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot Lucy Review Terra Plana Vivo Barefoot's "Lucy" shoe is a woman's shoe designed to be an alternative to being barefoot. Yes, I am a male. No, I did not actually test the shoe... my wife Shelly did. She is a recent barefoot running convert that was suffering for a problem that plagues many barefoot runners: what to wear when shoes are required. Shelly, like me, is a teacher. We have the freedom to kick off our shoes during class, but still need something to wear when walking through the hallways and outside. This is especially true during out harsh Michigan winters. Read more... 3/02/2010 Barefoot Runner Meetup at Fifth Third Riverbank Run in Grand Rapids, MI on May 8th Are you a barefoot or minimalist shoe runner looking to meet others? Join us for this awesome event! We're still planning the specific details, but it promises to be a great time! Find details here! 2/27/2010 "The Barefoot Running Guide" giveaway! I'm still trying to build my collection of information regarding barefoot running (and ultras) on this blog and my Barefoot Running University website. In an effort to spread the word, I'm going to give away copies of my "The Barefoot Running Guide" ebook to those that help me out. There are three ways to get a copy: 1. If you have a website or blog, add a link to this blog (http://barefootjason.blogspot.com) and my website (http://barefootrunninguniversity.com) to your website or blog. Once the link is added, send me the link to your site to this address: robillardj "at" gmail "dot" com. I will send you the ebook in the return email. If your site or blog is barefoot or ultra-related, I'll add it to my BRU links as well. If you are an RD, I can add your ultramarathon to my calendars, too. If you already have links to both, send me your address and I'll send you a copy! 2. Recruit five "friends" for my blog (http://barefootjason.blogspot.com/). All you have to do is send me an email of the screen names of the five people you recruited at the same email as above. 3. Recruit 20 "fans" for my Barefoot Running University fan page on Facebook. Once you recruit 20, send me an email to the address above with the FB names of your 20 recruits. I'll keep this going until Friday, March 5th at midnight. 2/26/2010 Vibram Five Fingers KSO review Vibrams's Five Fingers KSO is the current gold-standard by which all other minimalist shoes are measured. I have used this shoe extensively for about three years in many different conditions. It is my default gym shoe, my winter running shoe, my asphalt-too-hot-for-barefoot shoe, and the shoe I wore to finish my first 100 mile race in September of 2009. This model has served me well and is still my preferred minimalist shoe, but does suffer from some minor faults that prevent it from being the Holy Grail of minimalist running shoes. Read more... 2/25/2010 Ultramarathons for Lazy Runners: Chapter Three- Can I run ultras if I'm already a slow runner? There's a myth that runners have to be good to run ultramarathons. By "good" I mean fast. Sure, many ultrarunners are blazing fast in shorter races. It's not a prerequisite, though. It's entirely possible to be turtle-slow and still finish an ultra. I would go out on a limb and say it may be advantageous to be slow. Generally speaking, there's an inverse relationship between speed and distance. As distances increase speed (as measured by pace) decreases. Once you get to ultra distances, the non-elites are pretty slow. How slow? When i finished my first 100 this last September, my average pace was around 17:30. No, that's not a typo. Yes, most people can walk faster than that. The point... it's a VERY slow average pace. Even at my fastest, I doubt I ran more than 10 minute miles. In ultras, slow is the name of the game. If you already run slow... perfect! You won't have to learn how to restrain yourself in the early miles of ultras. Many novice runners start out way too fast, which results in a severe crash-and-burn. The ability to run slow is an under-appreciated skill set. I know you're still doubting me... Read more... 2/24/2010 Barefoot Ultramarathon runner running 24 hours for hunger Leif Rustvold, one of the few other barefoot ultrarunners here in the US, is running in the Pacific Rim One Day Run to benefit the Oregon Food Bank. The best part- he's doing it barefoot! Leif ran the Hundred in the Hood 100 miler last September in Vibrams... the same day I ran the Hallucination 100 in Vibrams. He ran a marathon the next weekend while I was still hobbling up stairs. Check out his Distance Minimally blog for more info.

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