Barefoot Running

[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.

[kacie tri-ing]

Hello! I am reviving this thread! Could I get updates on how you are all doing with this? I am dying to know...I am thinking about putting my "toes in the water" (haha!) of barefooting, and I would love to hear how this has been going for all of you through the fall!

[HillSlugger]

Hello! I am reviving this thread! Could I get updates on how you are all doing with this? I am dying to know...I am thinking about putting my "toes in the water" (haha!) of barefooting, and I would love to hear how this has been going for all of you through the fall!

I've been wondering this myself.

I've put any thoughts of barefooting (in VFFs) for a while due to an Achilles injury I sustained while wearing my normal motion control shoes but I'm still working on forefoot running.

[Becky]

I posted this in this week's running thread, but I'll add it here too:

I've been experimenting with some barefoot running on the treadmill lately. This is in addition to my attempt to learn Chi Running. I started with just a couple of minutes to allow my body to get used to the new workout. Now I'm up to 0.75 miles at a time.

I'm still getting little hot spots on the balls of my feet, which I attribute to soft skin that needs to toughen up, and some soreness in my calves and ankles. However, I'm amazed that I have a lot less hip and knee pain! And it's an immediate decrease- I take my shoes off and my IT band and knee feel better almost instantly.

I can't explain what I'm doing differently while barefoot, compared to shod running, but it's been enough to convince me to buy a pair of VFFs when they come back in stock.

[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

[indigoiis]

Okay call me cheap, but I am seriously looking at a pair of $15 Old Navy Ugg style boots with cheap flip-flop foam bottoms, to wear over a pair of thick alpaca boot socks.

It can't hurt to try, I guess. It will be like running in socks more than VFFs.

[nscrbug]

Has anyone here tried treadmill running with the VFF's? I'm interested in trying them, but I don't do cold-weather running due to my asthma. All of my running during the winter months, is done on the gym treadmills. I'm just wondering if I would reap the same benefits using them on a TM vs. outdoor running? I understand the need to build up slowly with them...so what would be an ideal amount of time/mileage for my first run in them? I typically run shod, for about 30-40 minutes at a 5.7 - 6.0mph pace...so, at a 10+ minute per mile pace, I'm pretty slow. My lower back simply cannot handle a higher running pace...so this is the range at where I stay for all of my runs.

Linda

[twin]

I am giving running a shot with a tiny bit of barefoot and a smaller amount with KSO vibrams and I hope it works. I really love the idea of this.

[Tri Girl]

I bought the VFF sprint shoes almost 2 weeks ago. I have no arch- I have totally flat feet and I overpronate severely. I've been running in motion control shoes with custom orthotics for 5 years now. I've had so many knee and ITB issues since starting to run that I've decided it's time to try barefooting it to see, if in fact, it's the shoes that are making me injured.

I've worn them to work and walking around (to get used to them slowly), but I haven't yet run in them. I'm going to try some running tomorrow.

I LOVE the VFF's. I can tighten the strap across the arch to make it more supportive in my arch when I need it. They are GREAT!!