Barefoot Running

[Jolt]

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...

Cool! As for the sore calf muscles, that's totally normal. I can remember my calves hurting for the first week of running in the VFFs. Do make sure you're not pushing off too much from your toes--that overworks the calf muscles and could lead to Achilles issues. Your propulsion should come mainly from your hip muscles with some contribution from the "elastic recoil" of the feet/calves (this is what I'm learning from Evolution Running, which I just started using this week and I'm liking it a lot so far).

[HillSlugger]

Cool! As for the sore calf muscles, that's totally normal. I can remember my calves hurting for the first week of running in the VFFs. Do make sure you're not pushing off too much from your toes--that overworks the calf muscles and could lead to Achilles issues. Your propulsion should come mainly from your hip muscles with some contribution from the "elastic recoil" of the feet/calves (this is what I'm learning from Evolution Running, which I just started using this week and I'm liking it a lot so far).

What is Evolution Running?

[Jolt]

What is Evolution Running?

It's a DVD that teaches efficient running technique, in a similar vein with Pose and Chi Running. The basic premise is that the reason the African runners are so good is because they are efficient due to having grown up running barefoot, and that we can use the same techniques to improve efficiency and reduce injuries. The proper form is broken down into all its components, with excellent demonstrations and drills to reinforce each. They don't suggest running barefoot but I think they should . I decided to go with this over Pose or Chi Running because it seemed more straightforward than these others and it draws its technique pointers from a known group of efficient runners, who got that way by running barefoot, which is how our bodies are designed to function.

[wavedancer]

I'm bummed. I was feeling really good with my initial 3-4 runs with VFFs. I did a 2-mile trail run about 10 days ago that felt really good while I was doing it, but ever since then I have had some pain across the top of my foot when walking or running barefoot. I rested for a week without doing any runs and tried again 2 days ago. I still had some pain, but not enough that I felt I had to stop. It's still sore today, but better while waering shoes. I'm wondering if I should try running in shoes for awhile, or maybe try taping my foot to give it a little support. Poo...I can't seem to get to a period longer than a few weeks of runnig without some sort of injury

[ginny]

just FYI everyone, I found those evolution videos on line: http://www.5min.com/Video/An-Introdu...ing-4-29683892 (that's for the 4th clip...) anyway, I haven't watched them all yet; I do not know if they are all there, but it at least gives a good idea of whether you want to spring for the DVD or not...
G

[HillSlugger]

just FYI everyone, I found those evolution videos on line: http://www.5min.com/Video/An-Introdu...ing-4-29683892 (that's for the 4th clip...) anyway, I haven't watched them all yet; I do not know if they are all there, but it at least gives a good idea of whether you want to spring for the DVD or not...
G

I just watched the 5 videos. Looks interesting. How easy is it to take what you see/learn in the DVD and apply it to your running?