pavedwave longboarding

edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 86

Ok I know this may not be the forum for this but this site is kinda like my home.

If you don’t know Barefoot Ted – he is absolutely incredible. Youtube him -He runs ultra marathons barefooted. When I met him at the ultra he was like some mythical being that had energy pouring out of his veins. I wanted to take a picture with him but I didn’t want to come off as a tourist. I’m an ex-runner that has MAD respect for anyone that runs. And for someone to do it barefooted well that’s simply incredible.

Heres the thing I’ve spent the last 4 days reading everything I can about barefoot running. And what I have found is nothing sort of amazing. Everyone that can barefoot run well just doesn’t do a little they do a lot. So why is this? Ted is obviously not crazy – so what then. It seems the body was made to “move” with no shoes and if you can tap into that in fact learning how to walk/run again evidently it has great rewards.

I am inspired and compelled to try to learn this. So I went ahead and studied every video I could find and tried it for myself today. This thread will be a log of my progress until the Ultra 4.

Day 1

15 min – ½ mile. With in minutes I got real in tune to the ground. By doing it barefooted you have no choice unless you like pain. Very interesting - I can’t believe I even got this far. And surprisingly with no pain. The first thing I noticed is that your no longer bouncing up and down it feels more like gliding forward. I will indeed continue…..My goal will be 5 miles pain free.

Day 2

.75 mile After Skating 8 hours today I still managed it. Yet again pain free

Day 3

2.10 Mile 50 min Pain free

Day 4

2.30 Mile 50 min Pain free

Day 5

2.50 Mile 40 min Pain free

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 213 Location: seattle wa usa

This is great Eric! The 'pain free' thing is the focus, that's whats going to keep us in this game for decades to come! Cool to see your progress here. You're gonna have to try getting a short run in with Ted when you make it up here next time.

edp_swakakin · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 86

I'm so stoked I'm darn near counting the hours......Seriously

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 213 Location: seattle wa usa

Same here dude!

Some other thoughts on this... I know in the immediate future I won't be jumping into barefoot running, just because I've been pretty sporadic and not disciplined about running in general.

However, I do anticipate wearing a lot less on the feet this summer while skateboarding.

A couple days ago, for the first time in a long while, I skated half my commute barefoot, and it felt awesome. I was wearing some new shoes and they were just a little too tight. Going against my usual policy that shoes should fit perfectly right from the very first time, I was hoping these would "break in" after a little while. Well, after about 5 miles, they were still pinching my toes and not letting my feet breathe at all. So I tossed them in my backpack, and wore my socks for a couple miles, then finally tossed those in the backpack as well.

There's something very back to roots connecting directly with the board, through the trucks, down to the wheels, down to the asphalt. But you have to do a little tweaking if you're going all out...last time Derek and I did this at Greenlake, we pumped a few laps and my feet were shredded from the grip tape.

So I think finally, it's time to cut up that yoga mat to create some summer grip!!

Sheldon · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 13

I totally know what both you guys mean too. I used to make my short commutes to the store barefoot, and when I was in NZ got really fond of walking around barefoot. (It was easier to do on non freezing pavement, plus its very common over there) The only reason I never have done it a ton has always been my fear of having to foot break, or having to push too much. Walking the board barefoot too... you just feel it in a much better way.

I saw Ted wearing those shoes, do they give you more of that kind of feel? Did anyone happen to talk to him about them

Barefoot Ted · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 5

Howdy Folks

Well, I am very glad that my little experiment in barefooting has inspired others to tap into their own genetic memory of being a barefooted being.

Luckily for me, barefooting has been a way of life from childhood forward growing up in Southern California.

In the early days of skateboarding, barefooting was the norm. Then came urethane and higher speeds. Started becoming necessary for something to protect the feet during high speed exits and foot braking.

Barefoot running is far more natural than most of us in this present American generation remember or know; however, it has been a major part of great runners' training for a long time. Definitely something to look into and practice, building up strength little by little.

I have been resistant to enter into any sports that require toys and gadgets. Barefoot running was the most enjoyable way that I could recreate and learn to run 100 miles.

However, LDP has caught my attention. The Subsonic Pulse 40 board that JP has loaned me is absolutely one of the most beautiful moving objects I have ever had the privilege to pump through space. Beautiful!!!

Sadly, crashing is not good for old timers like me. A spill on the Burke has had me dealing with hip muscle pain and an infected knee. Embarassed

On the other hand, I can't stop riding that board! Confused

The FiveFingers are an excellent board shoe, especially for LDP and situations where you don't need to foot brake all day. I have started adding non-slip patches to the bottom of my foot brake foot.

The feel is close to barefoot. You can FEEL the edge of the board. You can feel where you foot is on the board. I think that it will bring about a lot of board movement and footwork.

I have also been doing some barefoot riding. It gives you a pure feel and makes you become very much focused on what you are doing.

Check out the photo of barefooted rider here: http://www.randal.com/index.html

BFT
_________________
--
One foot at a time. One sole at a time. One hell of a good time.

Barefoot Ted's Adventures
www.BarefootTed.com
818-332-7944 ext. 708

barefootboarder · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 19 Location: England

Hey guys!
I must add to this thread. Hello! I'm logged into PavedWave with the name 'Barefootboarder'!!
I'm really interested in all you all have to say about barefooting... Ted you are clearly an inspiration!
I've always got a lot of pleasure from walking barefoot, especially on the coarse sand and rocks at the beach as I think the rough surface is SOOO lovely. The rougher the better! Smile

It's like auto-acupressure!
I started longboarding about a year ago and soon tried to ride barefoot and found that I LOVE it! Footbraking is ok if I do it gently.
I don't ride barefoot too often, but I'd love to get a pair of those Vibram Five Fingers. I wear Converse soft shoes which really let me feel what is going on with the board more than regular skate shoes which feel far too clumpy.
LDP is my favourite thing, I do either 5 or 10 miles every day, sometimes 15, and I am really proud to have my beautiful Roe Racing Mermaid now, all set up according to the PavedWave recommendations. Very Happy

Thanks to you guys for all the guidance. LDP is truly a wonderful sensation, and with the right equipment it's an incredible feeling.
I really wouldn't have discovered the LDP potential without PavedWave, and I wouldn't feel so encouraged to continue and develop my barefooting without knowing of Ted. So thanks again.
PS the Mermaid is INCREDIBLE. Gareth was lovely to deal with, and very helpful, and the shipping to the UK wasn't too long to wait. Setting it up was very exciting. Riding it is a thrill everyday.
Keep up the good work you guys. Wouldn't be the same without you!
Jo xx

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 213 Location: seattle wa usa

Jo, I am so stoked to see you're out and shredding up the trails on your Mermaid! Thanks for sharing the review and kind words about Gareth. Things have really improved in this past six months - the CNC has been speeding up things for his build process and communications have gotten much more fluid.

There's a ton to share in the barefooting as well. Just as Ted and I have been sharing back and forth, LDP for running and barefooting (I was never much for running in the past) I've been spending a solid portion of my last vacation and commutes in general, sans footwear! I think the biggest thing you get from all this is, as Ted says, foot strength. But also the extra sensory input you get from all the surfaces you walk and hike over. I'm diggin it. Still don't have the Vibrams, but have moved also to thin converse and vans, or just nekkid feet. So much more to say about what I've learned in the past few months but I gotta go hit some waves with my daughter today...

Appreciate the review on the board and sure hope to see some "action" shots or maybe even vids off the trails over there some time soon! cheers
jp

barefootboarder · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 19 Location: England

Thanks JP! Hope you and your daughter caught some good waves.
I'll put a couple of little video clips up on the other thread. Hope you have better weather there than over here... Wink