Sandals can make you 10 years younger

The injuries will never go away, I will always run with discomfort, I will never be able to be faster....

Has this ever happened to you?

When Tomás was 20 years old, it was common to see him running in Retiro Park.

He was running a few years.

But there comes a time when we stop being children, when we stop running.

There may not be a reason. It happens and that's it.

It happened to Tomás and when he started running again he was 41 years old.

His son was taking part in a race and he decided to accompany him up the slopes of El Escorial.

He writes:

"...I also ran that day in 2010.

It was just 4 km, but the years without doing sport made me spend a horrible afternoon. I was exhausted.

So I decided to get fit.

I started to run three days a week, to do series, hills, changes of pace...  

Then came the problems.

A plantar fasciitis kept me out of running for 15 months. And just when I was starting to get back on my feet... an inguinal hernia and I had to stop again.

Once I recovered, I returned to run the Tragamillas Half Marathon.

But the previous sensations were not good.

In the last few weeks my Achilles tendon in my right foot was hurting and I had to slow down my training pace.

The dreaded fasciitis was looming again and I didn't want to go back to the insoles.

I became interested in minimalism with the help of the Learn to Run Guide and then came the confinement.

 What better time to start barefoot?

- Going up and down stairs barefoot
- 100 ups
- 10 minute runs around the house

And so day after day .... and my feet were regaining their full potential".

So how did Tomas adapt to running more efficiently and injury-free?

He continues:

"I bought some minimalist sandals and when in May 2020 we were given "conditional release" I started with 3 km a day.

4 km in June.
5km in July.

Until now, I do 7 km a day, sometimes in sandals and sometimes completely barefoot.

The Achilles tendon discomfort and the fasciitis, not a peep.

It's incredible how the tendon is damaged with cushioned shoes and how you don't have any discomfort barefoot or with minimalist sandals.

But the best part came when I took my times.

On the running track I was doing 1,000m runs totally barefoot at 3:45
and my best time was 4 minutes 10 years earlier!

And the fatigue is much less. As the steps are shorter, you get less tired.

I count the kilometres by expiries. I used to do 300 km in 1 km and now...

...200.

100 breaths less.
And running 15 seconds faster per km!

I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E.

Now I have a goal.

To run the Villalba Half Marathon in sandals.

The goal is not to run better than last year, but better than ever.

Better than 10 years ago, when I was in top form.

If I achieve it, will I be able to say that minimalism has made me 10 years younger?

If you like running, what Tomás tells us is a great lesson.

Despite his good times for a popular runner, he wasn't feeling well.

He knew something was wrong. It's not logical that he had so many problems.

That's why he decided to relearn how to run.

How did he do it?

Well, as one does something new.

By learning first and then little by little.

Without rushing.

Step by step.

And without adding anything external.

Barefoot.

Then he put on the only footwear that has stood the test of time:

Sandals.

And he continued with the progression.

If running is your thing, Tomas' example can help you.

But if global exercises are your thing: calisthenics, weight lifting or just walking or shopping, you can also get the most out of your feet with sandals.

So you can feel the light, air and space on them.

Because if you've felt the restrictions of the pandemic, you'll know what your toes feel like when you put them in modern footwear.

Of all the sandals, the Zauri Hanami sandals offer you the above.

And what's more, you can wear new sandals every day by simply changing the straps in just a few minutes.

And use the type of fit you feel most comfortable with (both included):

• Easyknot: quick and easy

• Wheelknot: accurate and tribal

And of course feel that your toes are free to move.

Available for all feet, they are unisex: for her, for him and for the little ones.


Now that you're free to travel, set your feet free.