The best energy return, most durable, and cheaper is no shoes! Infinite value for money!
TeXitoi
Don't ignore pain, listen to it. If it hurt that's because you need to fix something. So think of what you have done that cause it. Did you change your habit? Why on this side and not the other? Did something different happened, not necessary in sport, but in your life?
Then try to change and see if you fixed the problem.
I don't have a head torch, but I think I'll buy a Fenix HM65R-T (or a similar model). I'm particularly interested in the surdiness, and the standard lithium battery.
I active walk the first hundreds of meters (letting the GPS time to warm up) and run easy the first km. At the end, easy last km. That's it.
Science shows that static stretching before is counter productive. Static stretching at the end depends on you: it can be productive or counter productive. If you feel the need, you can do it, bit if not, nothing wrong to not do it.
Maybe it can give a clue to ultrarunner hallucinations?
Be careful, choc v1 board are almost never compatible with choc v2 switches.
Lily58 or Iris?
Be careful that, with this tool, you are naturally reproducing the habits you already have. I've seen this tool used by Ben Vallack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoBjVhJY4io&list=PLCZYyvXAdQpsEWfa6OEBOhHn48SWgneoD) and you can see, in his progression, that at first he was for no pinky stagger, and now he is for aggressive pinky stagger.
That's an original stagger. Why?
Otherwise, beautiful board.
Anyone can run barefoot (except maybe if you are diabetic, as you has less feeling on the feet in this case). But be very careful, train your form, and don't do TMTS, that's like being a beginner again.
Good quality asphalt or concrete are perfect surface. I'm personally fond of the very smooth asphalt of the sidewalk in my neighborhood.
A pair of handmade huaraches or cheap minimalist shoes can be a good complement.
Doing a C25K, and seeing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSIDRHUWlVo every month is a good plan. You can cross train (like bike) while transitioning. It will take 3 to 12 months to be back to your actual level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ_Qp53lck8