Hey - I’ve started to take up barefoot running to improve my running biomech. Can do it great as laps around softball fields, creating interval training, etc… but it can get really boring.
Anyone in Maryland know of long stretches of grass (aside from --ha-- the median of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway) which is safe to run in? Good parks which might be safe for feet?
Anyone run grass on WBA Trail or B&A Trail? (both rail-trails with tiny strip of grass next to asphalt)?
Thanks,
Lauren
Lauren, golf courses are great for this. Go around sunrise or sunset when the pesky golfers are off the field, and run to your heart’s delight. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
“golf courses are great for this.”
Do they allow runners on their fields? Really?
Strictly no. But I’ve never been stopped when I get on the course near sunrise or sunset. I treat the golf courses with respect anyway - they are my temple. Plus it’s beautiful to be out there at those times.
There are some really nice long stretches out in Hunt Valley at Oregon Ridge Park. Lots of grass hills, too. If you carry a pair of trail shoes with you you can hop from spot to spot on the trails with running shoes, then ditch them again on the grass. I’ll show you the areas if you want to come up here sometime. I thought we were going to ride together anyway!
“I’ll show you the areas if you want to come up here sometime. I thought we were going to ride together anyway!”
I think we had a disconnect then - I ‘lost’ you in the shuffles last year when we were talking about riding. I did some rides in HoCo alone, sadly.
Oregon Ridge sounds pretty cool… yeah, been there to perform in a festival or two. It’s not an any-evening thing for me - more like a weekend-day outing, or I have to far plan ahead on a weekday evening, away from rush hour. (It’s over an hour away).
PM me your contact info - thanks 
Have you tried Nike Free shoes?
I’ve had great luck with them. You can run ‘almost barefoot’ anywhere
“Have you tried Nike Free shoes? I’ve had great luck with them. You can run ‘almost barefoot’ anywhere”
Not yet - my new shoes are still good. I’ve thought about switching but have heard mixed reviews about them - some people like them, some don’t. I thought it was ‘personal’ what people liked.
I REALLY like barefoot running - feels much different than shoes and asphalt.
Do you know if stores have a “try for xyz days” policy? I think that’s not a great policy for a story’s business, although it’s great for a customer to really work out the kinks in making the switch to a radical shoe like the Free.
I don’t know, when I was looking at them the Free was only ~$50 so it seemed like a no brainer to try them. You do have to slowly work up the mileage in these, your feet will get sore at first. I assume the same is true of barefoot running though, so you may already be acclimated.
Ah … the golf course runs. They are my sanctuary as well! I run on the paths in the winter at dark to avoid traffic, get hill work, barefoot down the fairways then home. I’ve lived on a few for the past 8 years and always will. Great for run training.
“I don’t know, when I was looking at them the Free was only ~$50 so it seemed like a no brainer to try them.”
After you mentioned the Free I went to their website. Are you in MD? Did you buy them at a MD-location store? Is there a knowledgable salesperson (@ the Free) in a MD store, do you know?
Yeah, that price isn’t like $100-120 for other trainers.
It’s the calves and ankles. I don’t run long distances now - but I’ll guess that I’ve got strong feet. I actually have a foot issue (Morton’s foot - a metatasal issue) which makes me ‘balance’ on my feet instead of stand easily. I haven’t had much fun distance running on roads but I’m really jazzed about this barefoot-running feeling (feels like I am flying!), and being in parks.
Yes, building up the mileage is what I have to do anyway. I just wanted a fun place to do it!
i would definitely NOT look at those trails as barefoot running options.
try quiet waters park. the center circle is almost exactly 1 mile.
“try quiet waters park. the center circle is almost exactly 1 mile.”
Another great suggestion! Thank you!
Lauren
going out to a local 1-mi away softball field RIGHT NOW to try to beat the rain…