This is my journal about art and living in the mountains, deserts, and lava flows of Southern Utah. I enjoy writing this blog and hope that you can feel my passion for endurance sports, art and one of the most incredible places in the world to live.
Enjoy,
Michael Carroll
I just came across your blog and I am so jealous of you. Living in the landscape that I love so much.
I just started barefoot running. I am addicted, it is wonderful.
I am currently living in the southeast U.S. while attending grad school, but I’m originally from SLC, UT. I miss Utah like crazy and I can’t wait to get back to red rock and blue sky.
good luck with the training.
p.s. you should post a picture of Mr. Pepper.
Sarah
Hey, just came across your blog and wanted to say thanks…
I am just starting to get into barefoot running, and this has been a big help in both information and motivation to continue with it…
Just wanted to say thanks!
I live in St. George and am starting barefoot running. It is a little tough getting started, but it feels good. Are there many people who run barefoot here? Thanks for the blog!
-Jason
Mike at Sunset Bikes, other than that I do not know any others. Hang in there and enjoy.
Michael Carroll
Hey, thanks for the pics and blogs! I just started with kso’s and snagged my big toe and ripped the fabric in less than a week. What did you use to sew yours up? I’m not too worried, but a lasting repair would be ideal.
I haven’t run barefoot yet but I’m excited about the prospect!
Thanks again!
Scott
I just used regular sewing thread. The next time I make mods to my five fingers I will be looking for something stronger like goretex brand thread. You wont be able to run in five fingers properly until you learn how to run barefoot. It does make a difference.
Regards,
Michael Carroll
Michael,
Great website. I began running in sandals while at Guam several years ago. Moved back to Maryland and began running in Nike Straprunners, doing trail runs up to 13 miles, learning the barefoot style. My mile time dropped from 5:15 to 4:40 as I learned to use my tendons properly.
Because I thought the Straprunner straps might fail, I switched to Nike Rayongs, which have strong synthetic leather and strong velcro, and a softer bottom but are only 8 ounces. The Rayongs are great. Buy one size up. Size 8 was like a racing flat, a perfect fit, but straps were a bit tight. Size 9 was perfect, and I added lacrosse stick sticky-back ball stop pads to be sure of comfort around heel strap and front strap. I am running thru the winter with medium thickness Smartwool socks. Super on the pine needle trails I run on!
Cheers from Maryland.
Glad to just find your site and excited to read up on all your adventures and advice. Barefoot running is new to me and I’m trying to learn all I can.
Thanks for the comment. Barefoot running is a wonderful journey.
Michael Carroll
Hi Michael,
You have built up a Great side here.
I also have begun with the Barefood runnig.
It is the sky on earths.
Kind greetings
Marco from germany
Thanks Marco from Germany. I appreciate your remarks.
Thanks again.
Michael Carroll
Thanks for offer such a rich resource for barefoot running. And thanks for the inspiration to run.
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Michael,Great website. I began running in sandals while at Guam several years ago. Moved back to Maryland and began running in Nike Straprunners, doing trail runs up to 13 miles, learning the barefoot style. My mile time dropped from 5:15 to 4:40 as I learned to use my tendons properly. Because I thought the Straprunner straps might fail, I switched to Nike Rayongs, which have strong synthetic leather and strong velcro, and a softer bottom but are only 8 ounces. The Rayongs are great. Buy one size up. Size 8 was like a racing flat, a perfect fit, but straps were a bit tight. Size 9 was perfect, and I added lacrosse stick sticky-back ball stop pads to be sure of comfort around heel strap and front strap. I am running thru the winter with medium thickness Smartwool socks. Super on the pine needle trails I run on!Cheers from Maryland.
+1
Cheers. Have you tried making your own sandals (huaraches) like barefoot Ted?
Michael Carroll
Hi,
I really love your site and you seem to have a lot of great advice about barefoot running. I had a question about shin splints. Ever since I tried barefoot running, I would get really bad shin splints, and even after months of staying off my feet and letting them heal, as soon as I go even a few yards barefoot, they come back. I love barefoot running, when it doesn’t hurt, and everything I know about it says it should be better for my feet and legs, so it is frustrating that I can’t do even short runs on grass. I was wondering if you knew anything about this or had any experience. Thanks
Khaled,
When I was putting in serious mileage training for my first marathon I was getting what felt like shin splints. Even if you are running with correct form you may still be experiencing what I did. The feeling is caused because you naturally pull up your toes as you foot lifts off of the ground. If those muscles in the forefront of your lower leg are weak then this may be what you are experiencing. The cure, decrease mileage, and daily self massage by using your thumbs to work the affected muscles. However if you are truly getting shin splints you are running barefoot like you would if you were running in shoes. Make sure you are practicing on a solid surface such as asphalt or concrete.
Regards,
Michael Carroll
Great blog, man, I just came across it. Now, you’ve got one more reader here..
What up brother? Hope all is well with you. You doing the IRONMAN? Life in the ATX is going well. Only snag is I broke my shoulder in October. It didn’t heal right so I had to have surgery early January. Going in on Friday for final clearance to train again. Four long months off.
RH
Dude sure miss swimming at the lake with you. Ironman training is going back to the basics. I am also working through some muscle injuries. Hence the refocus on the core fitness.
Hey Mike,
I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now and always love to hear your input on all things barefoot. I first stumbled across your blog when I was looking for a fix for my KSO Treks. After having them for about two months, my beach runs took their toll and the sand wore holes in between the toes. I used your inputs and fixed them, however, just like your blog reads, the normal sewing thread held for a short time and then made the holes bigger. What made you switch to sandals for running? Do you still use VFF’s or are you strictly using huaraches now? How do you feel about your sandals? Reading about your trials with adopting a barefoot kind of life has encouraged me to try my first half marathon this year in my VFF’s (The Virginia Beach Rock n Roll Half Marathon). Thank you for continuing to post helpful hints and information on living the barefoot life!
Many Thanks,
Meredith
Meredith, my reply to your comment took on a life of its own and ended up as a blog post.
http://wp.me/p5YT2-6n
Michael Carroll
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As a high school student that has been trying to run barefoot on and off for the past year, people like you inspire me. Everyone on the school track and cross country teams say you can’t run far barefoot, but you’re proving them wrong.
High school athletics is a strange place. Best of luck…. Thanks for the post…
Michael Carroll
Hi Michael,
My name is Matt Gunn, I’m the guy that talked to you at the barefoot clinic about the 50 and 100 mile race near Zion National Park next spring. Just emailing to let you know that things are moving forward with the race, I’ve got a basic website up and running (www.zion100.com) and everything is looking good with the BLM and city of Springdale. I had the race date set for the 27th and 28th of April, but then I recently found out that the Red Mountain 50K is the 21st next year so I’m planning on changing the date to either the first weekend in March or the 11th and 12th of May to give a little space between the two races. I was hoping to get your opinion on which date you think would work out better for most people. A rough course map can be found on the website.
We should go for a trail run sometime and talk details! Send me an email at chiagunner@hotmail.com
Matt
Sorry for the long delay in posting to your post. Would love to go for a run and discuss details….
Michael Carroll