"Barefoot" Running

[OakLeaf]

As many people have pointed out in the other thread, it doesn't matter how minimal the shoe, if it's a shoe, it will affect your body mechanics, and it's not barefoot. That said ...

Has anyone tried the new Inov-8 Evoskins yet? They have much longer toes than VFFs and look like they might actually fit me.

I almost taught my aerobics class in my VFFs last night ... decided against it since it was my first class after several months, I felt really rusty and didn't want to change too much. But even having taught the class with my regular shoes, I'm noticing this morning that my Achilles and calves aren't bothering me as they have in the past, and I totally attribute that to all the foot work I've done over the winter.

From my experience, I'd say that if you have very rigid feet as a result of wearing orthotics for years, it may take more than just easing into barefoot - I've been doing a lot of massage, self myofascial release and yoga, going barefoot around the house more, and paying attention to my feet pretty much ANY time I'm on them, trying to get four corners down and the arches lifted. Just a few weeks ago I've been able to see my TMT joints actually move for the first time I can remember in my 51 years. It's been slow, hard work, and I'm nowhere near being able to run barefoot yet, but it's really, really paying off in terms of my Achilles, hips and spine.