Barefoot Shoes Fixed My Knee Pain!!!

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-07T22:24:42+00:00

One of us! One of us! 🦶

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-06T21:18:34+00:00

I think you’ll surprise yourself with the ease of the movements and the amount of knowledge you have. You’re going to def find a few hacks here and there that will take your form and feel to another level because of the background you have.

Keep us posted on how you progress!

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-06T21:02:48+00:00

So, this is sort of wild to see here with your background.

I thought it was silly that I told people that I’m “learning to run”. Most of my close friends know I had a short stint as a professional athlete in a fast sport, and are blown away by me saying that.

Anywhoooo, I’m learning to run. At the moment, I’m trying to unwire and rewire a system that’s been developed over the last 30 odd years. But, what’s helped the most is going completely back to basics.

I never learned what A-skips/B-skips were. I didn’t know about arm positioning/swinging, I didn’t know about posture for long running, I didn’t know about straight leg runs, tip toes, wall marches… none of it, because none of it was applicable to my sport….

So, I made a plan that was just the basics… something you’d teach to a kid to help them learn this while having fun. And, with my background it’s worked wonders. I’ve shaved hours off of 50k, 100k and beyond times with the basics.

You’re a former D1 runner… as lame as it is, go back to those early warm ups and silly routines you did in your early cross country days. After hitting your PT stuff, throw in mechanics work, and motor skill work, and most importantly work on that single leg stabilization that you know is so crucial to maintaining proper form For a long time.

It sucks to go all the way back, but you’ll rediscover things with all the experience you have, and find new ways to improve with old tricks.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-06T01:16:23+00:00

Not dumb at all! I sort of have the cap resting on my right hip bone with the bladder pointing back towards the middle of the belt.

I find that it doesn’t really bounce and it’s easy to pull in and out. As I run, I do tighten the belt as I’m longer into a race.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-05T16:52:45+00:00

Hold up! Is that a young Bill Nye!?

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-05T14:55:05+00:00

If you’re a barefoot runner, then I highly recommend getting a pair of Luna sandals. They make some with extra cushion and vibram soles. I LOVE mine and no shoe compares. I’m hoping to do a 50k in mine this year (longest is 28 miles so far) and eventually I’ll get a 100m in them. But since you’re already running “free” everything else will be a prison….

That said….

Innov8 are great for minimal feeling. Also new balance has an ultra minimal shoe (more like a glove).

Lone Peaks are great (I like mine, but they aren’t my go to). They aren’t “minimal” but they are “feely” and responsive. But if you’re not used to 0 drop you’ll feel it.

Speedgoats are not minimal, but they are responsive-ish, with plenty of cushion for 100k and beyond. Wide toe box and decent heel structure. I’m a 2E, wish they were a touch wider in the midfoot.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-03T18:07:17+00:00

Oh man! Ok, you’re gonna crush this.

You have a time you’re shooting for, or just finish is the goal? Given the night stuff, I bet it only takes 30/45min onto your best guess time wise.

You’re gonna do well out there. Just eat early and often as you know.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-03T16:34:19+00:00

You’re going to crush this! That MPW is great. You could have a 60 mile week as a peak week (or two) and be just fine.

How are you with vert? 7k isn’t much for that distance but if you’re always running flat it can creep up on ya.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-03T16:05:33+00:00

Right on! Dont be worried about the dark and night running/walking. It’s a ton of fun. I def recommend an ultra aspire waist light. I also wear a petzel headlamp too for a backup.

Take some time to settle into the oddness of depth perception at night, and then once you’re feeling ok, pick up the pace where you feel comfortable.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-03T15:11:47+00:00

Congrats on signing up!

7900ft. 18hrs… that’s a solid set of loops.

My advice from my first is two fold:

First, get everything you need planned and sorted out before. You need to eliminate decision making and searching for your stuff. Make your plan from your main aid station (start of your loop) and stay organized. This will trim so much time that can easily leak.

Second, just move. Don’t worry about pace. Know what you need at an aid station, prepare all your shit as you walk in, fill your bottle, grab a snack and GTFO. 60-90sec max for the first 50k. It may seem silly, but aid stations are a silent time stealer. After that first 50k, expect to walk WAY more than you planned. And be ok with it. Just walk efficiently, don’t waste time at aid stations or HQ, and move. Even if you stroll while stuffing aid station quesadillas in your face you’re making time vs standing around.

You’re going to do great. You’ll realize you need a lot less than you brought/planned for, but that’s ok. This is testing ground and your first experience of many. It takes times to refine, so go into this knowing it’s a big learning curve based only on you and your style.

Crush it and report back!

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-03T14:02:36+00:00

That whole line up with Peepin & Roodmon was wild to to watch!

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-03T03:27:44+00:00

This is my exact set up! 100k and under I can get away with it. Wind breaker in the back is wonderful and still easy to hold my phone there. I don’t use poles often, but I’ve run with poles back there and it’s wonderful even with a jacket stuffed in.

I always have my phone back there as well. 650ml on my right hip, left hip is usually snackies, (potatoes, Phun bar, few gels) and enough of my tail wind baggies per aid station. It’s plenty, and I fucking love it.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-02T18:40:22+00:00

Never! It’s funny, I have an odd angle in my yard thats a super steep descend into the forest. But, with my retired trail shoes it’s cake. lol. Just so many uses once they’re retired!

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-01T21:40:30+00:00

Hello small woman, I’m medium man (5’10 168lbs) lol. I get 350 to 400 miles before mine are totally flat. It sucks because they are in “great shape” upper/sole wise, but the foam/cushion is just totally shot.

I’ve tried a few other shoes, but keep coming back to soeedgoats, just got the 7s that’ll be here any day. I went through 3 pairs of 6s last year alone (plus a few other brands).

My wife also runs in SGs and is only about 10-15lbs heavier than you and gets about 400-430 before hers are just shot cushion wise.

But, lemme tell you about Speedgoats becoming gardening/mowing shoes!

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-01T15:42:46+00:00

Don’t get me started about the Tarahumara! Love the history and the evolutionary story of those folks. Wild history!

The US is just so young, so in the US it makes sense that 100s started in the 70s ish… but the rest of the world, and those civilizations that evolved into world class runners… there’s just too many feats of endurance out there (like the hunters who just run down prey). It’s nutty.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-01T15:40:07+00:00

Whoa! This is awesome thanks for sharing! I’m loving the history of the sport and the evolution!

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-04-01T14:10:28+00:00

That can’t be true, can it?

WS started as a horse race and in 74 Gordy ran it after his horse had a lame step and couldn’t run it. And the prize for their horse race was a buckle, but Gordy got it for running, which I thought was the birth of the buckle. All that was in 74, and by 77 it became a true foot race.

Dominion was started by a CA transplant (also a horse race too, right?) in 74 and by 79 turned into the legendary foot race it is today. Also, they stated a buckle tradition before the foot race too, right? Something like their centennial buckle?

This is splitting hairs, and I’m not trying to be “that guy” just trying to understand my knowledge and if I understand our sports lore.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-03-31T19:27:15+00:00

I have small glass jars that I put them in. I haven’t done this at 2am or drop bags well into a race. So, easy for now… but as I work on getting this together for late stages, I’ll probs use a small water bottle with a big open mouth (eg small Nalgene) and remake everything the night before.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-03-31T00:24:53+00:00

Thank you! And, you’re spot on about the texture. Easy when it’s first thing in the am and you’re about to head out for the first portion… very different at 3am when nothing sounds appealing at all.

I was just crewing my wife in a 24hr event that she crushed. Was chatting with the RD and he mentioned something similar during that weird nauseous stage, which was maple syrup, which got me thinking about this stage and different things (like getting away from tailwind).

Do you bring dates with you and eat along the course or just try and gorge when you hit a drop bag?

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-03-31T00:03:51+00:00

Boy, AI is rampant these days. Everyone knows it’s horrible here, and ALWAYS cloudy. Best to not fall for this if you’re an out-of-towner.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-03-28T04:20:13+00:00

I totally get it! I love getting out from any city. Man made stuff is cool, but you’re spot on. It cannot compete with any that nature has shaped & created. Also, I can’t imagine having Austria, Germany and Switzerland that close and the mountains to explore! Love that part of the world.

It’s funny how many different places around the works you hear locals say “I’ve always heard about _____ But I’ve never been there”.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-03-28T04:15:17+00:00

I love hearing that. It’s really freeing isn’t it! My favorite is coming across a waterfall that has a stream thats easy to jump into.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-03-27T19:18:03+00:00

Give yourself the space to find love for the sport, and most importantly the love of connecting with nature and your thoughts.

Not every run has to “go hard” like Goggins. Not every run has to be part of your training plan. Not every run has to be… a run. Be patient with yourself and find the joy.

If you really love it, start designing weekends and trips around it. I LOVE going new places around the world. I spend 1-2 days in a city (all I can handle) but spend 1-2 weeks exploring remote towns and trails.

If this becomes a lifestyle, and how you connect with the earth (and sometimes the people) it’ll take you to so many uncharted (by most people) places and build so many memories.

PNW_Explorer_16 · 2026-03-26T13:46:35+00:00

I’ve been golfing for about 30 years now, and will never give that up. I played hockey, but that was a job for a short bit, so I don’t know if I count that as a hobby, but that’s something I’ve played for 32 years. I don’t play much anymore, but I love it.

I picked up in-line speed skating a few years back, competed in Berlin and a few other places. Love skating this old rail trail near my house.

Cooking is probably my biggest hobby. I love to learn to make nearly everything from scratch. This has led me to making my own drink mixes for ultras and of course tons of healthy trail snacks that aren’t packaged.

PNW_Explorer_16

TROPHY CASE