Luke's Log

[Chris H Laing]

That metcon must have been miserable. I just tried db thrusters for the first time as well and its crazy how fast they suck the life out of you.

[Patrick Donnelly]

Luke,

After one week, the difference in my foot's skin was noticeable.
After three weeks, I was good on pretty much any flat, smooth surface.
After six weeks, pointy stuff and wet stuff was no longer a real issue either.

This was going pretty much 24/7 barefoot, though I think that volume actually slowed me down a bit. If I avoided moisture more initially and wore shoes for the longer Tuesdays, it would have been quicker.

I walk with a forefoot strike, similar to how I run, but more gentle. When my foot hits the ground, it lands on the outer edge of the forefoot, then rolls into the whole foot making contact, heel last. If I ever do step on something sharp, it typically results in my "feeling" it before it breaks the skin and taking a lurching step to relieve the pressure before any pain occurs. I can tell that I also reach out and grab the ground in front of me with my foot though, which needs correcting. I think I picked that up when I started running in Vibrams.

Since starting, I've only had one thing stab my foot. It was a small white rock in a parking lot, a triangle shape about 5mm long and 3mm wide with a thickness of 2mm or so. A tiny little thing. After a few painful steps I realized something had actually broken the skin, and I hobbled over to the nearest bathroom and it came out very easily, cleanly, and without any more pain. I think this was after three or four weeks, but I can't remember exactly. I was walking to work at around 5:30AM in the pitch black darkness, so I had it been light, I might have avoided it to.

I haven't had any run-ins with broken glass yet (though everyone cites that as a reason to wear shoes), but I'm fairly confident that I could handle it now if it were fairly pulverized.


If you get the chance, try walking on different sports turf fields. The grasses are amazing there - like a carpet, really. I love the feel. Not astro-turf though, since that stuff is nothing like turf (it's also hot stuff, like I said before).

[Luke Douglas]

Patrick,

I'm finding changes in my foot's skin as well! Also, good to hear that the time frame for the committed is not too too long. I definitely have six weeks to spend on this project.

With regards to walking technique, I have been attempting to 'roll' onto my foot more in the way you describe in the above post. It has helped to reduce the soreness under the heel of my foot, though it still feels somewhat awkward when I walk around. I guess it takes some time to unlearn how I've walked for most of my life.

Other thoughts: I too have been lucky so far, with no punctures of the skin on my foot. I'm thinking that rolling onto my foot will help me avoid any injuries in the future, like you said. *fingers crossed* I'm also finding joy in walking on certain surfaces as well. My yard feels awesome and I like standing around just experiencing it. Too bad its been rainy lately. Also, have you walked on those rubber doormats with all the little nubs on them? Free foot massage!

And a workout:

Thursday 20090528
Worked out again with my parents at Crossfit Boston:

WOD: Deadlift
5-5-5-5-5

I did 250lbs for five sets across. Still really sore from Tuesday. . .

[Luke Douglas]

Saturday 20090530
Warmup: Freestanding handstand work, max hold of 7 seconds
Barefoot jogging in the park

7x tuck FL negatives on the playground
60s tuck planche hold (probably 20x3s)

10 hills sprints in the park (small hill, probably 20 meters long, 10 meters rise) - alternated standing and flying starts

[Luke Douglas]

Sunday 20090531

AGT Stretching

Monday 20090601

tuck FL statics, 60s total, held one for 8s, new PR
tuck planche statics, 60s total

Wednesday 20090603

PT leg isometrics@0lbs

3x5 pseudo-planche pushups w/ feet on ground
7x1 tuck FL negatives

AGT Stretching

[Luke Douglas]

Thursday 20090604

PT Leg isometrics@0lbs

Friday 20090605

GBWOD 090604:
Complete 3 sets each:
1 Embedded BL tuck+ 5 Assisted OAC did normal chins, broken sets
1 Embedded PL tuck+ 5 Box HeSPU
1 Embedded FL tuck+ 5 Reverse Cranks tuck, broken sets
then:
Finish the workout with 10 Bridge Wall Walks skipped

PT Leg isometrics@0lbs

[Luke Douglas]

Saturday 20090606

GBWOD 090605:
1 - 15' Cirque sub'd 10 towel pullups (alt L/R) broken sets
5 Front Lever Pulls sub'd 1x tuck FL negative
10 Elevated XR Rows broken sets

PT Leg isos@0.5lbs

[Luke Douglas]

Sunday 20090607

PT Leg iso@1lb

[Luke Douglas]

Monday 20090608

GBWOD 090608
Perform the following:
3x5 Jumping Deck SLS R only, off 15 inch box
3x5 GHR skipped
then:
Finish with 3x10 Hip Extensions straight leg lifts, R only

PT leg isos@1.5lbs

played around on my new paralletts!

[Luke Douglas]

Tuesday 20090609

GBWOD 090609
Perform:
15 minutes of HS Walking Ladders max 6 steps
rest 5 minutes
2x6 Wall Pike Press HS sub: headstand pike press, broken sets
then:
Finish the workout with 2x10 Wrist Pushups from knees

PT leg isos@2lbs