Following the Inaugural Scottish Barefoot Run last Saturday, we adjourned to the Eric Liddle Centre for an afternoon conference. It was great end to the day which started with registration at the Bruntsfield Links. Find the run report here (It was a run not a race).

I arrived on the dot at 11am and was greeted by Colin McPhail from Footworks. The barefoot run was Colin’s brainchild and registration was just across the road from the Footworks shop.

There were a few representatives there and I got to chat with top Vibram Barefoot Coach Helen Hall. I have never worn toe shoes but was interested in what Helen thought of my running form.

Before I knew it, Helen and I were discussing my long standing calf issues and being filmed. Helen had a look at my technique which didn’t seem too bad although she did comment that I was wasting some energy by lifting my heels up towards my backside in a pronounced way. I think that this is a remnant of my Chirunning beginnings and a good point. Well spotted Helen.

I also had the chance to try out the new Inov8 Trailroc 235. As a shoe it stands out and was comfortable from the moment I put it on. I tried a 41 but settled for my normal size 42 (UK8). The ride was firm but I could tell that I had some cushioning. I have been looking for a pair of zero drop cushioned shoes for a while and if I hadn’t been determined to run the route barefoot, I would have enjoyed trying them out around the streets of Edinburgh. Helen had a look at my form in them and it didn’t really change so that can only be a good thing.

She also suggested that I try on the 3mm drop version to see whether that altered my form. I was pretty comfortable in them and my technique remained intact so it may be a pretty good shoe for those looking to transition if you decide not to go all out from the start.

The Eric Liddle centre was an apt venue. 20 years ago, I did my first ever primary school assembly as a youngish teacher and chose Eric Liddle as my subject. I think that I admired his talent and courage but also the way he didn’t run using the same style as everyone else. His running seemed raw and untethered, a gift from God. I spent the break-time looking round some of the displays and it was one of the highlights of my day.

Ben Le Vacant from Vivobarefoot and Matt Walden from Primal Lifestyle gave really good talks and even though I read barefoot stuff all the time, I was impressed by their depth of knowledge. One thing I share with Matt is that I am also from a long line of people who were born barefoot so we had something in common!

I reflected on a their talks on my journey home, so what did I learn:

I am not superhuman but I am human and that means that I am a runner.

Humans have 3 natural modes, walking, running and sprinting. We have invented a 4th that doesn’t work called jogging. When I jog I get injured.

As a child, I either walked or sprinted and didn’t really run at all. I never learnt how to gauge it properly. The ball game in ‘Born to Run’ would have taught me a lot.

As a child I sprinted everywhere. When I decided to become a proper runner, I bought a pair of running shoes and had shinsplints within a fortnight. I thought that I had something wrong with me, I never even considered that it might be the shoes. How numb!!!

I am going to make up for lost time.

The party adjourned to the pub but I had a train to catch and I headed off clutching my TEKO socks and one or two other freebies.

There will be an official film of the day out soon and I will post a link as soon as I get one.

It takes courage to start an event like this and I would like to thank Colin McPhail and Donnie Campbell for having the vision to get it off the ground.

In years to come when people look back at the very first Scottish Barefoot Run, I will be able to say that I was there. I will be back next year and encouraging a few people to join me.

For the Inov8 Trailroc visit the store and select Inov8 on the right