Michael Birchmore - Elite Triathlete Feedback

Feedback from Michael Birchmore, Elite Triathlete

I have recently teamed up with Jonno and VIVOBAREFOOT to help improve my running technique to help slash times and more importantly help keep me injury free. 

It all started with a one-to-one video analysis of my running in my current shoes on a treadmill with Jonno, and from there he showed me my technique on his laptop pointing out good and bad points. We then re-filmed me running but this time barefoot, he pointed out how much better my technique was now I was stripped away of all the support in the shoes, which originally I thought were helping, but were actually making my posture bad. 

He broke everything down to simple terms and went through the history of running which was both informative and interesting. He then showed me drills to help improve my running which I still incorporate into my training.

I must admit that I was very nervous at first about changing my running style after all these years, but after hearing all the information from Jonno it makes so much sense. 

VIVOBAREFOOT have been so great, they've currently set me up with some casual shoes, which are so comfortable. These will help my calves and achilles adjust to not having that support. They have also set me up with Aqua Lites and Evo's which I am currently trying to switch to as my main running shoe. I'm still racing in other flats at the moment, but come the end of 2012/start of 2013 season I hope to be a full time VIVOBAREFOOT runner. 

This concept of running is going to grow and grow and soon we will all be running the way we were born to.... Barefoot. 

FREE BAREFOOT DEMO

Free barefoot demo with www.barefootrunningcoach.co.uk this saturday april 28 11am-3pm at Trizone store Truro - chance to win VIVOBAREFOOT shoes. Have your technique analysed and learn about the natural running technique that we were all born with. And ask any barefoot questions!

Barefoot Proof

Here's the proof that our ancestors were barefoot - and rather bigger than us!

Seriously though, it's amazing how the image of the bare foot gets everywhere - this is at a new children's park in Cornwall. I also spotted a learner driving school vehicle emblazoned with 'Barefoot Driving School' - also proof that driving barefoot must be legal!

The London Marathon 2013 - Training Starts NOW!

Watching the 2012 London Marathon on TV were thousands of runners and wannabe runners, all being inspired to emulate the feats of the 37,500 men and women of all abilities - were you one of them? I was!

With a whole year to train, now is the perfect time to start preparing - and the key element to your future success is your technique.

The way we were designed to run results in an efficient technique enabling us to run further using less energy and with fewer injuries.

Join me and learn the barefoot technique now and enjoy success at The London Marathon 2013!

Group Coaching Clinics are £35 per person. Email me to find out more!

Online Coaching also available.

Godolphin National Trust Barefoot Trail Opens

Sunday April 22nd saw the opening of a dedicated barefoot trail at one of the NT's Historic Houses. The fact that the National Trust are keen to be involved with such a project without hiding behind some 'Health and Safety' paperwork is a huge step forward.

The trail was designed by Julie Hansen, a park ranger with the NT and well known local barefoot podiatrist Steve Bloor, in an attempt to re-connect people to nature and the ground in particular.

Everybody loved it - my six-yr-old son was in his element (there was lots of mud!) and it was all I could do to drag him home at the end of the day, feet and legs looking well used - as soon as he was home he designed a barefoot trail of his own! All the kids loved it (big and small!) and as a barefoot running coach finding somewhere that actively promotes being barefoot is such a bonus as too often bare feet are looked at with distain, regarded as dirty and unhygienic and somehow offensive.

The truth is that feet were designed to be bare. Just like our hands and our head, our feet are part of our temperature control system and need to be able to release heat - if they are confined by socks and shoes they will sweat and effectively create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Athletes foot is caused but such an environment.

Shoes act like a cast for our feet, weakening and deforming the entire structure. Pretty much all foot problems are caused by wearing shoes. As are many other problems throughout the body due to the heel and arch support in shoes causing postural abnormalities not the mention simply creating a weak foundation - your foot is your foundation and just like any other structure a weak foundation will cause all kinds of problems. If the foot cannot support itself then other muscles further up the leg and body have to work over time to compensate which eventually leads to injury.

And I haven't even started on running issues yet! 

Many people are becoming interested in learning how to run barefoot or at least with the barefoot technique in a barefoot shoe - well there is an adaptation phase to consider and the best way to teach your body how to run correctly again is to start with walking. Barefoot.

Being barefoot and walking on all kinds of terrain and surfaces will wake up your feet, especially the 200,000 nerve endings in the sole of the foot which are responsible for telling your brain about the forces acting on the body. These sensors are there to protect joints in the body from undue stress - but they cannot work when protected by a traditional shoe. Being barefoot as much as possible will strengthen the muscles in the feet which in turn will ease stress on other parts of the body. It's a win win situation.

So hats off to the National Trust (or should that be 'shoes off') for going down this path - talking with Julie at the event it is clear that there are all kinds of exciting opportunities that could stem from this, not least taking barefoot running to the masses!

Watch this space!

VIVOBAREFOOT TEST

Took the new Breatho Trail out for a spin last week, really impressed with the feedback considering the amount of tread on the sole. Lightweight, allows the foot to work as it should, full-on awesome grip and looks great as well! Here's the proof...

Want some? Check out the links page for stockists of the VIVOBAREFOOT Breatho Trail in Cornwall, UK.

Photos courtesy of Sports Photographer, Jordan Weeks

Penzance Triathlon 2012

Nice start to the 2012 Tri Season - the first event in the Cornwall Triathlon Series was held at Penzance, a sprint triathlon with a pool swim. This is the start of my third triathlon season and the plan is for it to be an injury free experience, now that I have corrected my previously injurious running technique, thanks the Lee Saxby.

Certainly started that way, improved times in all disciplines, especially the bike (probably thanks to Trizone and the Specialized Shiv), no sign of previous calf pain so the run felt as comfortable as can be expected after a swim and a bike.

My Vivobarefoot Ultras were super fast in transition - they provoked a few strange looks that's for sure - good to see 4 other Vivobarefoot shod competitors too.

Bring on Race two...