Barefoot Running

[ginny]

thanks for the vinegar idea... I will also look up those socks. I wonder how in tarnation I will use these shoes in the winter here... alas, a river I will cross in a few months. I bought the shoes I will keep you all updated. I had a sneaking suspicion part of my issues in my old age have to do with all the orthotics/shoes etc I am wearing these days... well, we will see

[GLC1968]

So, I spent a good deal of my weekend working around the home. I was barefoot and on my feet for *most* of it. Funny thing I noticed? My heels started to hurt long before my forefoot did. I think I've now trained my feet to hit heel first and it hurts when I am not wearing shoes. I think that once I start running, that'll change because I know that I run more on the balls of my feet.

Another funny thing I noticed? I spent a LOT of my time in the kitchen (making & canning strawberry jam - yum!) and for the first time since we moved in, my back never hurt. Usually, extended time in this kitchen makes my back hurt something awful (I haven't figured out why). Maybe without shoes, the counter is a better height for me? What ever it is, I'm THRILLED about it.

Other than the achy heel, my feet felt fine. I think it's time to start jogging around the yard a little each day. If I can't do that safely, then I'll do it on the treadmill until I can swing the cash for some VFF's.

[wavedancer]

I am going to be doing a sprint triathlon in July that includes a 3.1 mile run. If I continue to feel as good as I have running in the VFFs I would like to use them in the tri. Has anyone done this? I don't think I will be ready to run totally barefoot by then. The main issue will be getting the little buggers on quickly. It is still a little quirky getting all the toes into their right little spaces. Any helpful hints?

[HillSlugger]

I am going to be doing a sprint triathlon in July that includes a 3.1 mile run. If I continue to feel as good as I have running in the VFFs I would like to use them in the tri. Has anyone done this? I don't think I will be ready to run totally barefoot by then. The main issue will be getting the little buggers on quickly. It is still a little quirky getting all the toes into their right little spaces. Any helpful hints?

I've been wondering about this, too, but don't have anything to offer. Do you bike without socks?

[Jolt]

I am going to be doing a sprint triathlon in July that includes a 3.1 mile run. If I continue to feel as good as I have running in the VFFs I would like to use them in the tri. Has anyone done this? I don't think I will be ready to run totally barefoot by then. The main issue will be getting the little buggers on quickly. It is still a little quirky getting all the toes into their right little spaces. Any helpful hints?

If you think about it, does it really take any longer to put on VFFs than it does to put on running shoes and tie shoelaces? For me at least there doesn't seem to be much difference at all.

[wavedancer]

If you think about it, does it really take any longer to put on VFFs than it does to put on running shoes and tie shoelaces? For me at least there doesn't seem to be much difference at all.

I have been using elastic Yanks on my running shoes, so I just pull them on. I sometimes don't get my toes lined up just right and have to do some readjusting with the VFFs. In the long run, at my level, it probably will not make a lot of difference. Although, in my first race this year I missed first place in my age group (60-64) by just 6 seconds!

MDHillSlug: I have never biked without socks...I think it is quicker to put on my low-cut smart wools than to try to jam my wet feet into my cycling shoes...but maybe not.

[HillSlugger]

I have been using elastic Yanks on my running shoes, so I just pull them on. I sometimes don't get my toes lined up just right and have to do some readjusting with the VFFs. In the long run, at my level, it probably will not make a lot of difference. Although, in my first race this year I missed first place in my age group (60-64) by just 6 seconds!

MDHillSlug: I have never biked without socks...I think it is quicker to put on my low-cut smart wools than to try to jam my wet feet into my cycling shoes...but maybe not.

I bike and run in socks, too. I was just thinking about having to put on the socks for the bike and then take them back off to put on the VFFs.

I've been wearing my VFFs around the house (an a few times outside) but haven't tried running in them yet. I'm thinking of trying them on the HS track the first time. Probably before I get to that I want to stop using the custom orthotics in my running shoes.

[ginny]

I received my VFF KSOs ... last Friday. I thought they were too small. My pinkie toe wasn't happy being separated from my other toes. I have been wearing them every other day, and the last time I wore them (Monday), I consciously relaxed my feet, and... wha la, they fit My pinkie toe didn't have a problem. I was able to run and jump and play in them... it was fun. The next day I noticed the muscles in my lower calves were a bit sore - probably because I have been running in big wedge running shoes forever... but I'm taking it slowly and it's going well. The dogs have fun chasing me around grassy fields for now too...

[meridian]

For anyone interested in barefoot running, there is a wonderfully supportive and informative barefoot runners forum on runnersworld.com which has been invaluable to me as a newly converted barefoot/minimalist runner. I encourage you to check it out: Barefoot Running Forum

[wavedancer]

For anyone interested in barefoot running, there is a wonderfully supportive and informative barefoot runners forum on runnersworld.com which has been invaluable to me as a newly converted barefoot/minimalist runner. I encourage you to check it out: Barefoot Running Forum

Thanks for the link! It helped answer many of my questions/concerns. I think I tried to do too much as a new runner and new barefoot/VFF runner at the start. I have had to back off and let some tendons and ligaments in my feet heal up and get used to what I am asking them to do. I have been having some pain that I didn't experience until after doing 3-4 runs in the Vffs. I am now doing some of my runs in my supportive shoes and shorter runs in the VFFs. I have only done a couple of short runs on grass and on the beach totally barefoot. I do remember the ease and joy I felt when I first ran unshod, though, and will get back there. I just need to go a little more slowly...

[ginny]

I have really noticed it low in my calves - I guess from not having my heels elevated running in the VFF's. I have been taking it really slowly, but it's fun! I feel like bigfoot when i see my 'feet prints' on the dirt trails. I would love to hear other runners when they see the feet prints

[veghead]

Hi everyone. I've been barefooting for 2 1/2 weeks now and I thought I'd share my experiences/observations in case it can help anyone.

I initially became interested in BFR because in the past 3 years that I've been running I've suffered one injury after another - plantars fascitis, shin splints, achilles tendonitis, and finally posterior tibial tendonitis (this one has been the worst!). With the PTT, I could barely run at all without screaming pain behind my ankle, and I basically had to take 2 full weeks off before it stopped hurting even when I was walking. At that point I decided things couldn't get worse and that it was time to try BFR.

I started off around 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile at a time and have built up to a 3 miler this week. So far it is absolutely AWESOME! None of my trouble spots have bugged me during this time and running has been an absolute blast. My calves have been tight, but I'll take tightness any day over chronic injuries! I've been alternating completely barefeet with my VFF sprints (love them!).

I also have to 2nd the recommendation for Born to Run. It is one of the best books I have ever read and just a fabulous story.