Barefoot Running

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Originally Posted by 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:

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

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

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.

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

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.)

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

http://www.armytimes.com/offduty/hea...eshoes_101110/

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).

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Originally Posted by Selkie

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

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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.

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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.

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!!