Barefoot Running

[wavedancer]

I was very enthusiastic about barefoot and VFF running in the late spring and early summer. So enthusiastic that I started doing a bit too much too soon ("TMTS" on the barefoot running forums). I was also trying to get my mileage up a bit as a new runner so I could do some 5K runs in some sprint tri's over the summer. The result was some new foot pain that I had not experienced as a shod runner. I had to cut way back on my running in general and took a complete break from it for about 4 weeks after my last tri in September.

I waited until the tendinitis in my foot (PTT) was barely noticeable before starting out in the VFFs again. This time I have taken it very slowly. Started with no more than 1/4 mile at a time, and have gradually gotten backup to being able to do 3+ miles. I did a 5K on Thanksgiving in the VFFs and felt great! Got a few curious comments and questions from other runners, and piqued the interest of at least a couple of them.

The PTT is not 100% healed, and I can feel some discomfort after running. I have been taping it to give some support when I am on my feet all day, but it doesn't seem to be giving me too much grief so far. I know it is important to really let it heal, or it can become a chronic problem.

The hip pain that I was experiencing when running in my"supportive shoes" has not been a problem at all. I think that by artificially supporting the foot, you just transfer the strain farther up.

It is starting to get cold here, and my VFFs are not giving me quite enough warmth, even with some toe socks. I have just ordered a pair of Feelmax Niese from Barefoot Ted. They are some minimalist shoes from Finland that should provide a little more warmth, especially with regular Smartwool socks. I tried using some old water shoes, but they soles were not flexible enough and I felt like a jogging duck! I hope I can continue to run with the FeelMax shoes through the winter. I haven't done any treadmill running...don't really want to

I am committed to staying with the barefoot/minimalist running. I find it gives me much more joy. I just need to be mindful and listen to my body so I don't keep injuring myself.

[Urlea]

Wave- Be sure to keep us updated on the feelmax shoes! I am more than a little bit curious. Which style did you get?

I have been running 40-50% of my runs in vffs the last few months, but now that the snow has fallen I will not be able to continue that throughout the winter. Like you, dreadmills are not for me. I run outside even when it's -20f Pretty sure the VFF Flow w/ injinjis wont be tolerable for that though,

Anywho, glad you are enjoying pain free running!

[indigoiis]

Ran for the 4th time in my VFFs today. I went out in the wet, 40 degreeish weather thinking it would be a good experiment. I love running in them so much, I wanted to see how they did with puddles etc.

I have cut socks leaving a little scrap of fiber between my big toe and the rest of my toes. These work to keep the main part of my foot warm.

Toe socks don't work for me because I have reeeeeally short toes.

Anyhow. So, I banged out 6 miles, 6 HILLY miles mind you, like they were nothing. 6 miles on a route that usually kicks my butt. In my VFFs, in the rain, and they got wet, and my feet got wet, but it is such a cool way to run. And I do not have the pain in my knee I've been getting these days, so that's good. I love these shoes. Thanks for the inspiration to go out and get them because they are so worth it.

[wavedancer]

I got the Feelmax Niesa's yesterday and took them out for my morning run today. 27 degrees, smartwool socks, toasty toes!! They are super comfortable with probably a thinner sole than the VFFs, but it is very rugged and supple. I am so excited to have some minimalist shoes that I should be able to use through the winter. They are even cute enough to wear as casual shoes in addition to running shoes.

[Urlea]

Wave- Woohoo!! I might need to get a pair of those. Which style did you get?

(guess it would help if I read the post title, eh?)

[Jolt]

My cold-weather minimal shoe solution is the Teva Proton water shoes with thick wool socks. So far, this seems to be working pretty well--not quite the same as VFFs, but much warmer and still not a clunky shoe. I can also put Stabilicers Sport over them if necessary for traction, and can even use short gaiters with them to keep out snow. I wonder how those Feelmax shoes are--does any store in the area carry them where one could try them on?

[wavedancer]

Jolt: I don't know of any retail stores in the US that are carrying the Feelmax shoes. They have just become available in the US this year. There are a couple of US online stores that have them. One is an oddly milataristic-looking site: Extreme Outfitters

I got them from directly from Barefoot Ted, but now he seems to just link to the other site.

You can get them also from Gifts From Finland. They also have an Amazon storefront.

If I hadn't found these, I probably would have gone with my old neoprene kayaking booties. I figure I can also use these in the spring or summer for triathlons, although I would like to be able to run truly barefoot next summer