Barefoot Running

[HillSlugger]

A recent thread here about beginning running has drifted into a thread about barefoot running. I think we should split this out as a separate thread to make it more visible to anyone interested.

Barefoot running includes real barefoot running and it includes near-barefoot running, running with a thin covering. One favored shoe for this is the Vibram FiveFingers shoe. I just ordered two styles, Classic and KSO, in two sizes each and will check them out and send back what I don't like/doesn't fit. My thoughts are that the classic would be good for around the house walking and the KSO (Keep Stuff Out) would be better for actual running.

I'll let you know what I think when they arrive!

Please share your interest and experience with barefoot running!

[Urlea]

MD: I'm excited to read what you think of the Five Fingers!

When I was younger I used to spend most of my time outside barefoot. Now it seems like sometimes the more I run the more my feet just want to be free of shoes.

After my long HIM training rides, I have been taking off the bike shoes & just running about 1/4mi in my socks. It has felt so good! Fortunately the 70.3 I am racing in two weeks is near Minneapolis where they have a Vibram's retailer, the plan is to try on & buy a pair of the KSO Five Fingers as my race reward.

I'm looking forward to it, but I also know it will need to be a slow process adjusting to barefoot running.

[Biciclista]

i look forward to reading your reviews. Urlea, i'm not surprised you were a barefoot kid. So was I!

[HillSlugger]

I usually get barefoot as soon as I get home and I'll also kick off my shoes under my desk. I really like the idea of this and hope it works out.

[Tuckervill]

My son has been barefoot his whole life. He runs faster barefoot than he does in baseball cleats. We've proved it!

I would consider being barefoot all the time, including running, because my feet take a beating from changing shoes a lot. I mostly wear Keen sandals, but if I switch to flip-flops or running shoes, my feet get sore.

I would like to see those Five-Finger shoes in action, too.

Karen

[Jolt]

The VFFS rock! I have been running in them since January of this year and would never want to go back to regular running shoes (like the Brooks Adrenalines I used to wear) now--they feel so clunky after getting used to minimal footwear. The only problem is cold weather--your toes get really chilly! Next winter I will probably wear some flat, flexible water shoes with thick wool socks for outdoor runs. I have also been wearing the VFFs for hiking and intend to continue doing so this summer; so far I have done a couple of 6-7 mile hikes in them and plan to do progressively longer/harder trips as the summer goes on (including a Presidential Traverse late in the summer!). Highly recommended (provided you build up slowly), although I have a feeling that for any AMC trips I will be required to wear boots .

[GLC1968]

I've been devouring the info at this site (posted by Andrea) this afternoon:

http://runningbarefoot.org/


I'm so intrigued! I've always had foot trouble and I quickly found that moving to more and more suportive and rigid shoes was helping for a little while, but then the pain would eventually come back. This may be the start of something really cool for me.

And I want a pair of those VFF shoes, but until I find out if this will even work for me, I'm not going to spend the money. So cool though!

[Andrea]

I'm happy to see some people willing to give barefooting a try!

Like I've said before... it's not going to be for everyone, not a cure-all to foot/joint/leg problems, and not everyone will fall in love with it. That's OK (which some barefoot-purist will deny), everyone's gotta figure out what works best for herself!

I love my VFF shoes. I wear them any time I'm running someplace with rocks or hidden sticks, etc. (which is about 80% of my runs)

[wavedancer]

I started running with the VFFs just a few days ago (see post on other thread) and continue to enthusiastically explore barefooting. Today I went for a walk and jog totally barefoot. We are staying at a resort in AZ right now for primarily a mountain biking vacation, but it has perfect terrain for getting my feet used to being shoeless again. I took a walk this evening on coarse gravel trails and some stream-side dirt trails. The coarse gravel was a little intense, but I thought about walking on coals and found the more I relaxed the easier it was. I also ran for about 15 minutes on a lovely grassy area. What heaven!

50 years ago my pediatrician told my mother that the best thing she could do for my flat feet was to let me go barefoot as much as possible and take dancing lessons. I remember being thrilled by doctor's orders to be barefoot, and the dancing lessons became a big part of my life. Wise down-to-earth doctor!

Running barefoot in the grass, I felt like that kid again!

[roadie gal]

I cringe at the thought of running barefoot around here. There are too many sticks and stones and other sharp objects on the roads and the trails. I would prefer a shoes with less heel than normal running shoes, but I want some protection for my feet.

As an aside, I was out walking on a trail with my dogs a while back and a guy came running up from behind me. As he passed me I noticed that he was barefoot except for cloth medical tape that he had on the bottom of his feet to protect them.

[Biciclista]

and here in Seattle, we have broken glass everywhere thanks to a lack of a glass recycling law.But you can be almost barefoot and enjoy the relative freedom.

[Crankin]

I would never run barefoot... the thought makes me cringe. But, to each her own! I tried running barefoot on the beach once and had shin splints for weeks.

[GLC1968]

I did my first barefoot adventure last night. First of all, I'm now trying to be barefoot as much as possible when I'm not at work. We do have stinging nettles in the grass around the farm, so I'm not sure how I'll work around that. We also have certain shoes that we only wear when we go into the goat pen which I can't exactly give up (at least, not yet!).

BUT, starting small, I decided to put out the trash and recycling without shoes last night. Our driveway is not very long, but it is all sharp gravel. It wasn't easy, but I kept telling myself to relax and to breathe easier, and I was able to step lighter and I survived. My feet were dirty, but no worse for the new wear!

I'm going to start with walking & working around the farm first. I'll progress up to running with time.

[HillSlugger]

I would never run barefoot... the thought makes me cringe. But, to each her own! I tried running barefoot on the beach once and had shin splints for weeks.

From my understanding, shin splints is the result of heel striking and having your foot then slap down onto the ground, stressing the muscles on the front of your shins. In barefoot running you should NEVER heel strike; I've read that it's enough to rattle your fillings if you do.

[Jolt]

From my understanding, shin splints is the result of heel striking and having your foot then slap down onto the ground, stressing the muscles on the front of your shins. In barefoot running you should NEVER heel strike; I've read that it's enough to rattle your fillings if you do.

Agreed. Just the thought of heel-striking in bare feet or VFFs hurts...