Barefoot Running

[jessmarimba]

Sarahspins, slightly off-topic, but how did you even get a pair of Bikilas without trying them on? Not being snotty, I just want some and supposedly they aren't available online.

[colby]

Sarahspins, slightly off-topic, but how did you even get a pair of Bikilas without trying them on? Not being snotty, I just want some and supposedly they aren't available online.

I bought mine on zbsports.com back when a big lot of them came in. Kayak shed, zbsports, and city sports are the 3 reliable places I've bought stuff that do carry Vibrams. (REI too but I don't think they have Bikilas)

The way I understand it is that a store can only carry them online if they carry them in a physical storefront too.

[TsPoet]

Sarahspins, slightly off-topic, but how did you even get a pair of Bikilas without trying them on? Not being snotty, I just want some and supposedly they aren't available online.

Got mine from City Sports. They are the hardest to put on of all of the styles that I have (Treks, KSO, Sprints, Bikilas).

[tulip]

I tried on a pair of KSOs while my mother and I were at a local outdoor shop in the NC mountains. She was buying Keens. I decided I'd try the KSOs for kicks. I did not like them at all. I'm sticking with my bare naked feet.

[MrsOski]

Have to add my .02. Have been run/walking in VFF KSOs for about 6 weeks now. I'm up to 3 miles, slow. No knee, shin, ankle, or joint pain of any kind. The only problem I had was hot spots on the balls of my feet and on my big toe. This past weekend, I bought Bikilas and Injinji socks. Problem solved. I never ever thought I would be able to run. Now, it's just a matter of bringing my cardio up. I love love love my fivefingers.

[TsPoet]

Have to add my .02. Have been run/walking in VFF KSOs for about 6 weeks now. I'm up to 3 miles, slow. No knee, shin, ankle, or joint pain of any kind. The only problem I had was hot spots on the balls of my feet and on my big toe. This past weekend, I bought Bikilas and Injinji socks. Problem solved. I never ever thought I would be able to run. Now, it's just a matter of bringing my cardio up. I love love love my fivefingers.

Wow, this post looks like I created a new user name and posted my experience.
+1 on everything you said! That includes the experiences and the distance and speed.
(BTW - I also found that aloe gel right after a run on the balls of the feet and big toes did the trick and hot spots eventually went away).

[GLC1968]

4.5 miles tonight in my huaraches from invisibleshoes.com. It was so much fun! I even had a quick stop to pick blackberries by the side of the road (I was starving and thirsty and mother earth provided!).

[Blueberry]

GLC - Those look really cool (I'm guessing it's invisibleshoe.com - without the S)! Do you really not feel the part between the toes? I'm looking at some Soft Sole shoes for winter - just to kick around in. Still not running, but my feet are happier for being less confined.

[GLC1968]

Yes, sorry...invisibleshoe.com! I can't wear sandals with the thing between the toes. It always hurts like a mofo. In fact, I have one pair of flip flops that reside in my pool bag, and I can *barely* stand wearing those for the quick walk to the poolside and for my shower.

I was super skeptical that these things would work because of that, but I was willing to give it a shot. I'm still constantly amazed that they don't hurt...at all. Not even on day one! Last night I periodically stopped to check for blisters between the toes because I was sure I'd get them there (not that I felt any rubbing...I didn't). No blisters. Not even a tiny bit red.

I have no idea why these are so 100% different from regular flip flop type shoes, but they are. They protect me from hot sidewalks and sticky stuff...but that's about it. I still feel acorns and cracks and rocks and just about any other imperfection. It's *almost* the same sensation as being totally barefoot but they are 'legal' in restaurants and stuff.

Oh, and I'm MUCH better at running in these than I am at walking in them. My running technique is correct for barefoot, but I don't think my walking form is there yet. I kind of trip on them sometimes when walking (never an issue when running - even when tired). I'm getting better though!

I opted to buy the kit and make my own and they worked out really well. The pair I wear for running are the neon green but I'm noticing that they are picking up enough dust (it hasn't rained here in months) that they aren't as bright as they used to be. I also bought a black kit that I haven't yet assembled. I plan to wear those as more 'everyday' shoes (and I need to make them soon or it'll get too cold for sandals before I get a chance to wear them!!).

[carinapir]

I have a novice question. I'm starting to run with a group training for a 5k and I've haven't run in years. I really need to get shoes of some kind and I was thinking of going right to VFFs or something similar. My question is if I pretty much go barefoot all the time around the house and only put on shoes to go outside or to work and the always come off promptly upon coming in the house, will I have an easier transition than someone who wears shoes all the time?

I ask because from reading this thread it seemed as if some people wore shoes even in the house and that being barefoot at all was foreign to them. I'm kind of hoping that it won't be so weird for me. :)

Thanks!

[tulip]

This just in

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/baring-it-all-the-barefoot-running-trend-2337336/

[colby]

I have a novice question. I'm starting to run with a group training for a 5k and I've haven't run in years. I really need to get shoes of some kind and I was thinking of going right to VFFs or something similar. My question is if I pretty much go barefoot all the time around the house and only put on shoes to go outside or to work and the always come off promptly upon coming in the house, will I have an easier transition than someone who wears shoes all the time?

I ask because from reading this thread it seemed as if some people wore shoes even in the house and that being barefoot at all was foreign to them. I'm kind of hoping that it won't be so weird for me. :)

Thanks!

Yes, I think you will have it easier than someone who wears shoes all the time - at least for walking in VFFs (or other minimal shoe) and some of your running. For running, it will still be a big adjustment. However, if you're just starting a running program and considering VFFs/minimal shoes, I would start them together, so you can build your running muscles and your ankle/calf muscles at the same time. The plan for both is about the same and you might be frustrated to backtrack your running if you go from shoes to minimal shoes much later.

I'm one of those barefoot at every opportunity kind of people, so I wear my VFFs to work and whatnot and feel like I am cheating. :)

[OakLeaf]

Well, it's not running, and it's not barefoot, but it's progress.

I spent all weekend on my feet in my flat Crocs Cleo sandals. A year ago my feet and my back would have been killing me after three hours. Now, I'm just tired. Woot!

[KnottedYet]

Just found this article on the epidemic of foot injuries from barefoot running.
http://running.competitor.com/2010/05/features/the-barefoot-running-injury-epidemic_10118

Both Daniel Lieberman and Christopher McDougall (the dude who wrote "Born to Run") recently developed metatarsal stress fractures from running barefoot (McDougall) and in VFF (Lieberman). Rather difficult to say those two didn't ease into barefoot running properly...

(a piece of irony the author of this article missed)

[colby]

Just found this article on the epidemic of foot injuries from barefoot running.
http://running.competitor.com/2010/05/features/the-barefoot-running-injury-epidemic_10118

Both Daniel Lieberman and Christopher McDougall (the dude who wrote "Born to Run") recently developed metatarsal stress fractures from running barefoot (McDougall) and in VFF (Lieberman). Rather difficult to say those two didn't ease into barefoot running properly...

(a piece of irony the author of this article missed)

Very interesting. My husband had a problem with his metatarsal on one foot about a month ago after almost exclusively wearing FiveFingers Treks (his issue was corrected by chiro and stretching) and now he splits his time between those and a pair of Keen sandals to give his feet a break. He doesn't really run in his, just walk. He did a few bike rides in them and decided they weren't the right feel for that either (so now he rides in the Keens :P).

Reminds me of the Atkins guy having a heart attack ;)

[Susan]

I get the point that it is wrong to believe that barefoot running will magically prevent injuries and that some problems will be more common in barefoot runners (PF) than in shod ones.

I don't however get why anyone, especially a scientist, would come to the believe that most humans where not made to walk or run without shoes. The author of the article compares shoes with wearing glasses. He would have a point here, but would anyone believe, that because there are humans that need glasses, human eyes generally were not made to be used without them?
Also, how can we know if the problems caused by barefoot running in new barefoot runners aren't caused by the fact that most of us are used to wearing shoes all our life, from early childhood on?

A really neutral scientific discussion about barefoot running seems to be difficult because a lot of "believe" seems to come into play when ever it is discussed.

[KnottedYet]

"I don't however get why anyone, especially a scientist, would come to the believe that most humans where not made to walk or run without shoes."

Nobody believes that.

However, everyone recognizes that humans were never meant to be sitting on their butts all day long in front of a computer and then rip off their shoes after wearing them for 40 years and start running barefoot on asphalt.

And everyone recognizes that some folks are better runners than others. Hot and sexy runners will be hot and sexy regardless of shoes or bare feet. Crappy runners can be better runners with shoes that help them. Some feet (especially "Irish" or "Greek" or long-second-ray-long-toes feet) do better without the highly engineered shoes on the market these days, because they were made for the other foot structure ("Egyptian" or short-second-ray-short-toes feet).

I have to roll my eyes at most of the barefoot hoorah from both sides in the media. Folks who grew up in the country (where we spent the summer barefoot outgrowing our shoes) spent a lot of time barefoot as kids. I've been running barefoot my whole life and still do. But I fall out laughing when some soft city-slicker goes out running on asphalt and concrete barefoot and goes rhapsodic over how "natural" it is. Nope, dirt and rocks and cow pies are "natural." Asphalt is a repetitive stress injury just waiting to happen, and it does regardless of the fitness of the runner: metatarsal stress fractures and plantar fasciitis are a'comin' down the pike.

Look at your foot. It is an amazingly beautiful thing. Flexible and irregular to interact elegantly with irregular surfaces. In one split second it is soft and molds itself around the surface it lands on, in the next split second it is a rigid lever and pushes off that same surface. All those little muscles let the foot change its shape so one step it is domed up over a sharp rock and the next step it is sagged down into a hole in the path, constantly interacting and adapting to the changing world so your legs can do their work. Asphalt is just slamming this beautiful foot onto the same flat hard boring surface over and over again. Slam-slam-slam. No variety. Muscles fatigue and fail, while others don't get the chance to do their job. Some bones crack under the constant unremitting unvarying pressure.

I don't blame shoes for modern man's foot woes. I blame asphalt.

[Jolt]

Nobody believes that.

However, everyone recognizes that humans were never meant to be sitting on their butts all day long in front of a computer and then rip off their shoes after wearing them for 40 years and start running barefoot on asphalt.

I have to roll my eyes at most of the barefoot hoorah from both sides in the media. Folks who grew up in the country (where we spent the summer barefoot outgrowing our shoes) spent a lot of time barefoot as kids. I've been running barefoot my whole life and still do. But I fall out laughing when some soft city-slicker goes out running on asphalt and concrete barefoot and goes rhapsodic over how "natural" it is. Nope, dirt and rocks and cow pies are "natural." Asphalt is a repetitive stress injury just waiting to happen, and it does regardless of the fitness of the runner: metatarsal stress fractures and plantar fasciitis are a'comin' down the pike.

Look at your foot. It is an amazingly beautiful thing. Flexible and irregular to interact elegantly with irregular surfaces. In one split second it is soft and molds itself around the surface it lands on, in the next split second it is a rigid lever and pushes off that same surface. All those little muscles let the foot change its shape so one step it is domed up over a sharp rock and the next step it is sagged down into a hole in the path, constantly interacting and adapting to the changing world so your legs can do their work. Asphalt is just slamming this beautiful foot onto the same flat hard boring surface over and over again. Slam-slam-slam. No variety. Muscles fatigue and fail, while others don't get the chance to do their job. Some bones crack under the constant unremitting unvarying pressure.

I don't blame shoes for modern man's foot woes. I blame asphalt.

I agree. I'll bet these guys were running primarily on hard, flat surfaces as you are describing, and that's how they got into trouble. If they had been running trails at least part of the time, they likely wouldn't have gotten the overuse injuries that they did. Asphalt is kind of a crappy surface to do a lot of running on whether barefoot or in shoes, and you're right, it's NOT natural. Better to mix things up so you're not overloading the same structures all the time. As for me, I'll continue running barefoot or in VFFs because it's been working well for me and I know not to overdo the hard flat surfaces (they're horribly boring anyway!).

And another thing: I wonder how many of these "PF" cases from barefoot running are really referred pain from trigger points in foot and calf muscles that are being used in unaccustomed ways and knotting up. Could be that for some of these patients all they need is to work those out and their problem will go away.

[colby]

I don't blame shoes for modern man's foot woes. I blame asphalt.

And concrete. EVIL

[OakLeaf]

Unpaved roads are actually worse. I run on a lot of them. They're noticeably harder than asphalt (on a par with concrete), AND they're covered with 1-2" diameter crushed stone with sharp edges that I wouldn't dare ANYONE to run barefoot on.

I blame roads. Which were originally created for wheeled vehicles. It's the wheel's fault.

[Susan]

Nobody believes that.

However, everyone recognizes that humans were never meant to be sitting on their butts all day long in front of a computer and then rip off their shoes after wearing them for 40 years and start running barefoot on asphalt.

And everyone recognizes that some folks are better runners than others. Hot and sexy runners will be hot and sexy regardless of shoes or bare feet. Crappy runners can be better runners with shoes that help them. Some feet (especially "Irish" or "Greek" or long-second-ray-long-toes feet) do better without the highly engineered shoes on the market these days, because they were made for the other foot structure ("Egyptian" or short-second-ray-short-toes feet).

I have to roll my eyes at most of the barefoot hoorah from both sides in the media. Folks who grew up in the country (where we spent the summer barefoot outgrowing our shoes) spent a lot of time barefoot as kids. I've been running barefoot my whole life and still do. But I fall out laughing when some soft city-slicker goes out running on asphalt and concrete barefoot and goes rhapsodic over how "natural" it is. Nope, dirt and rocks and cow pies are "natural." Asphalt is a repetitive stress injury just waiting to happen, and it does regardless of the fitness of the runner: metatarsal stress fractures and plantar fasciitis are a'comin' down the pike.

Look at your foot. It is an amazingly beautiful thing. Flexible and irregular to interact elegantly with irregular surfaces. In one split second it is soft and molds itself around the surface it lands on, in the next split second it is a rigid lever and pushes off that same surface. All those little muscles let the foot change its shape so one step it is domed up over a sharp rock and the next step it is sagged down into a hole in the path, constantly interacting and adapting to the changing world so your legs can do their work. Asphalt is just slamming this beautiful foot onto the same flat hard boring surface over and over again. Slam-slam-slam. No variety. Muscles fatigue and fail, while others don't get the chance to do their job. Some bones crack under the constant unremitting unvarying pressure.

I don't blame shoes for modern man's foot woes. I blame asphalt.

I was referring to the linked article that says:



"Hence, “If we can say that everyone is built to run barefoot we can say that everyone is built to fly a fighter jet without glasses,” says Pribut. “We don’t all have 20/20 vision.”


I find it misleading.
Of course what you say is true and someone used to wearing shoes for 40 years probably can't rip of their shoes and go out running on concrete for miles and miles and expect that it will do any good - I totally agree with you.
But that doesn't mean that humans were originally "not made" for going barefoot the way we are not made to fly fighter jets (with or without glasses) - of course we are. Even the not-so-good runners (like me) are born with feet made to go barefoot. While I won't ever be a world class runner, and agree that I would need the right genes or bodily features for it, with some training I am able to do the activity called "running" because the human body per se is capable of it.

The article says
"Consider this: Every cheetah is a world-class sprinter. No exceptions. By contrast, the degree of interindividual variation in distance running ability in the human population is incredibly vast."

I don't know. The authors point of view seems distorted for me. Not everyone can be a competitive distance runner, it's probably true. Take a cheetah, put it in a small cage for the most part of it's life and maybe put some strange shoe-like things on it's feet. This cheetah probably won't be a world-class sprinter when released after several years. Maybe it will be fat and not used to exercise and have problems with it's joints and knees...
So, maybe every human is a runner. There is no need to be "world class" but maybe originally every human being was designed for running. Maybe it's just modern lifestyle that makes some people incapable of doing so.
I'm not a scientist, I can't verify this, it's just a thought.

[OakLeaf]

I've read several times over the last couple of weeks, popular articles that quote scientists that totally reject Lieberman's research (without mentioning it at all, actually), and state that humans categorically did NOT evolve to run, but rather that walking is our only natural gait.

I don't actually have a citation because it just seemed so physically wrong that I just ignored the articles, but I do remember reading them. :rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

Susan, don't forget this is a popular media article. Not a scientific article. Read the science, none of it says humans weren't meant to walk or run barefoot.

No one is saying that.

I hate the way the barefoot thing is blown up in the popular media, and the religious fervor with which people distort the science.

Of course the article is misleading. Hyperbole sells! This is NOT a scientific paper!

The author's valid point is that there are some folks right now (now, like, right now, 2010) who should NOT be running barefoot. That certainly doesn't mean all through human history no-one ran barefoot, nor does it mean that all through human history there weren't poorly running cavemen who would have benefitted from a pair of Nike Pegasus running shoes. The point I think he missed, however, is that asphalt is not the optimal surface to run on in any case. Hence the need for shoes for a lot of people, and why barefooting on asphalt leads to so many RSI's.

Even the critiques of Lieberman are off, they are attacking straw men (things Lieberman never said). Lieberman's work was about biomechanical strategies of gait, and look at how his work got distorted! He even has disclaimers all over his website trying to get out from under the distortions people have heaped upon his work.

[Susan]

Oh yes, of course you are right. But it's sad, thats what I meant in my first post, I wish there were more "neutral" discussions and articles about this and not only this. It would be much easier and more fun to read, discuss and think about things like (barefoot)running or nutrition (and a LOT of other things) if there was more plain facts and information instead of this... like you called it "religious fervor".



Now you have mentioned it I will have to search for Liebermans website ;)

[KnottedYet]

Have you done any searches on Scholar Google?

It's fabulous! http://scholar.google.com/

Peer-reviewed journals tend to be a bit more objective, but they can get all religious-fervor-y, too. Buyer beware. Bryan Heiderscheit's work (University of Wisconsin) is beautiful and elegant, and most of his recent papers are available free/pdf. I talked with him at a seminar, and I was ready to throw my career to the wind and start over if I could just be one of his students. :p

If you want to read a bunch of podiatrists (who all run barefoot and have no issues with it, but are constantly under attack and seen as "the enemy" by fervent barefooters) grumbling and grousing, check out http://podiatry-arena.com/ The fellows on Podiatry Arena are a bunch of crabby squabbling naughty boys, but they link some great papers and give some very good clear explanations (while shooting each other down) of findings.

[HillSlugger]

Quote:
"Consider this: Every cheetah is a world-class sprinter. No exceptions. By contrast, the degree of interindividual variation in distance running ability in the human population is incredibly vast."

Cheetahs in the wild still need to run down their own food; humans do not. This kind of running is still subject to natural selection for cheetahs; it is not for humans. This argument is specious.

[Jolt]

Another thing to consider re: the overuse injuries: weight. I remember from reading McDougall's book that he's a fairly big guy; don't know about Lieberman. I would guess that heavier (and I don't just mean obese--I'm talking about the very solid, muscular builds as well) people are more likely to get the stress fractures and other issues from running barefoot on asphalt and concrete just because there's more force being exerted on their foot structures with each step, no matter how good their form is, than for a lighter person.

[KnottedYet]

Quote:
"Consider this: Every cheetah is a world-class sprinter. No exceptions. By contrast, the degree of interindividual variation in distance running ability in the human population is incredibly vast."

Cheetahs in the wild still need to run down their own food; humans do not. This kind of running is still subject to natural selection for cheetahs; it is not for humans. This argument is specious.

It sure is.

But it's juicy hyperbole, and just the fact that it's such a stupid thing to say has probably spurred people to read the article. "Hey, Joe, look at what this dork said!" The hit count goes up, and the dude writing with the subtlety of a sledge hammer gets to write more articles...

[KnottedYet]

Another thing to consider re: the overuse injuries: weight. I remember from reading McDougall's book that he's a fairly big guy; don't know about Lieberman. I would guess that heavier (and I don't just mean obese--I'm talking about the very solid, muscular builds as well) people are more likely to get the stress fractures and other issues from running barefoot on asphalt and concrete just because there's more force being exerted on their foot structures with each step, no matter how good their form is, than for a lighter person.

They'll have the appropriate robustness in the bones for their build, regardless if they are built to be large or small. Stress fractures are just RSI's, which anyone can get if they are doing the same motion too many times. I've got tiny skinny women with stress fractures, even multiple fractures over a history of many years of running; and I've got big burly guys who run and have never had a single one.

The difference I see when I do their gait analyses is that the people with the RSI history (mostly tibial stress fractures, secondarily metatarsal fractures) are over-striders. An occaisional over-stride is not a problem, it's a valid strategy in some situations. Just like running barefoot on asphalt occaisionally is not a problem, it's a valid encounter with a surface. The problem is when people overstride CONSTANTLY, and to extend my analogy, when they run barefoot on asphalt CONSTANTLY.

Repeat the same stress over and over again, and the tissues never get a chance to do their normal recovery, regardless of how strong or weak or big or little a person is.

[OakLeaf]

Knott, I just caught your new sig line. :D :D

But now you've given me scary visions of deep well sockets and pneumatic impact tools. :eek::cool:

[KnottedYet]

Knott, I just caught your new sig line. :D :D

But now you've given me scary visions of deep well sockets and pneumatic impact tools. :eek::cool:

I'll probably have to change it soon.... but it's true!
Buy your own tools, and know how to use them! ;)

[NbyNW]

Look at your foot. It is an amazingly beautiful thing. Flexible and irregular to interact elegantly with irregular surfaces. In one split second it is soft and molds itself around the surface it lands on, in the next split second it is a rigid lever and pushes off that same surface. All those little muscles let the foot change its shape so one step it is domed up over a sharp rock and the next step it is sagged down into a hole in the path, constantly interacting and adapting to the changing world so your legs can do their work.

Knott, I love your description of functional feet! Somewhere in there is an idea for another shoe :cool:

[jessmarimba]

Had a chat with my back PT person today and she thinks I'm not going to be able to go the barefoot route. She says minimalist (in the sense of lesser heel cushioning) is fine but I need orthotics. So...wah. One of my ankles rolls in terribly and I was hoping I'd be able to fix it but I guess it's not happening. (It's sort of been that way since I learned how to walk.)

[Jolt]

Here's an article about what the military thinks about VFFs:

http://www.armytimes.com/offduty/health/mil-offduty_toeshoes_101110/

[Selkie]

Like Lazarus, this thread returns from the dead.

I started running again and decided to wear my Vibram Bikila's. First run (Sunday) was 2.2 miles---the only after-effect was calf soreness. Ran again after work yesterday (Tuesday), went 3 miles. Felt it in the calves during and after I finished, and of course, my calves hurt now. Also felt it a little in my right achilles but that was just post-run. I hope to get out on Thursday (3 miles) and Sunday (probably 3 miles or 3.25ish).

Any tips on increasing distance and remaining injury free? I plan on taking it easy and not running fast/far since I'm just getting back into running. I'm being conscientious about gently stretching my calves.

Also, would it make sense to switch up and wear traditional running shoes for longer runs until my lower legs adapt?

By the way, I've been wearing Vibrams for two years (long walks, around the house, etc).

[GLC1968]

By the way, I've been wearing Vibrams for two years (long walks, around the house, etc).

Because of this, my only recommendation would be to let your calves be your guide. That will take the longest to condition. To be honest, it took me about 6-8 months before I was totally done with calf pain and even now, I feel it when I increase my distances.

Had you not already spent a bunch of time barefoot, I'd have also suggested to pay really close attention to your feet because getting those muscles, ligaments and tendons into 'barefoot' shape also takes care. Of course, you should always pay attention to this, but it probably won't be a limiter for you.

Lastly, ramp slowly and avoid concrete. I notice that when I do runs on sidewalks, I can only take about 3 miles before I really start to feel it in my ankles and feet. On asphalt or dirt or gravel, I can go much longer pain free. I only just realized the other day that it was the concrete that made the difference (and not the different locations, different hill profiles, different speeds, etc). I've read that there isn't much difference in how your body feels concrete or asphalt if you are in shoes, but I can testify that there is a very big difference without shoes (minimal) over distance.

[slowandsurly]

[QUOTE=
By the way, I've been wearing Vibrams for two years (long walks, around the house, etc).[/QUOTE]

I became interested in BF/minimalist running after I trained and completed my first 10 mile run last March. I started running about a year prior to that. I don't consider myself any sort of serious runner, I just wanted another type of exercise to keep myself active. I developed a menacing case of PF. So I bought a pair of VFFs and read all the information on BF running I could find. I started slow, and immediately had calf issues. I posted on a BF running forum and several members helped me figure out my issues. I started over completely BF. I began to realize my form/gait really changes when I wear VFFs compared to BF. I went to a BF running seminar hosted by Dr. Irene Davis, and ran with Barefoot Kenbob. He ran behind me and told me exactly what my problem was, and with LOTS of practice my form improved. I also learned to listen to my calves and didn't leave the house without my "stick" and foam roller. I also purchased a pair of Zems. For whatever reason, my form doesn't seem to suffer as much in Zems compared to VFFs. I go BF as much as possible even when I'm not running. Like the previous poster, be sure to listen to your calves and be careful increasing your mileage too soon. I've learned ALOT from several BF forums and from posts by Jason Robillard. As a matter of fact he just published a book on barefoot running. He's giving away free PDF downloads. If you google him, you're likely to find it.Somedays I run BF, other days I run in minimal shoes, somedays it's on chip and seal, other days it's on trails. I don't know if tossing my asics help rid my PF, or if it was a combo of many different things, but so far this is working out for me. But again... I'm not a serious runner. I'm slow and don't care too much about my miles, just having fun.

[Selkie]

Thanks for the advice/suggestions.

Swimming seems to help alleviate most of the calf discomfort. I will take it slow and easy, not build up mileage too quickly. I'm registered for a 9/11 5K in September, and I can already handle the distance. ;-) My goal now is to run for fun and crosstraining. I'm not a competitive type, so it's more smiles than miles for me.

G--I agree w/you about concrete. I ran half- and full marathons back in the olden days, and I always opted for running in the road rather than take that pounding on concrete. Luckily, the MUT is .5 mile from our and there is a macadam nature trail at work!!