Barefoot Running

[TsPoet]

I was a bit surprise that I rubbed a place on my heel and my arch of my foot had a tender spot. I was hoping NOT to have feet issues w/ the VFFs.
I have not run in them since (I have not run at all d/t work schedule!)

K

here's a post by a guy with a similar issue, and about his fix for it.

http://birthdayshoes.com/vibram-five...ics-vs-bikilas

As to the tender spot, it'll likely go away when your feet get used to using their muscles.

[GLC1968]

Acorns hurt. That is all.

[tulip]

I noticed the first sweetgum balls on the ground today. Now THAT would hurt!

Such hazards of barefoot running. I'm still on barefoot walk-run combo in the park when I walk my dog. I'm not up to barefoot walking or running to the park, though. I'm in an urban area, so there are no trails. I'm not going with VFFs because they are too expensive. My feet, however, are free, so I'm going with my plain old feet.

[GLC1968]

tulip - many barefoot running 'experts' recommend totally bare feet over things like VFF's anyway. With bare feet, you get much better feedback about what you are doing right or wrong in terms of distance, duration or form...so it's easier to avoid injury. It's much harder to overdo it becasue your feet will hurt too much almost immediately.

I am running on urban sidewalks, MUP's and a few cobblestone-like pathways. I have not run in grass (too hard to see obstacles) or on dirt yet. My first dirt run will be this evening, so that should be interesting.

[tulip]

tulip - many barefoot running 'experts' recommend totally bare feet over things like VFF's anyway. With bare feet, you get much better feedback about what you are doing right or wrong in terms of distance, duration or form...so it's easier to avoid injury. It's much harder to overdo it becasue your feet will hurt too much almost immediately.

I am running on urban sidewalks, MUP's and a few cobblestone-like pathways. I have not run in grass (too hard to see obstacles) or on dirt yet. My first dirt run will be this evening, so that should be interesting.

It's nice to know that you are venturing onto asphalt; you give me confidence that I will be able to do it someday, perhaps before it gets too cold this winter. The streets around here are clean, but HARD! I like running on grass and dirt because I hear/feel a satisfying thump of the earth, like it's responding to me. Sounds strange but it's true. Enjoy your dirt run this evening.

[GLC1968]

Running barefoot on dirt trails though the forest is the most fun a person can have standing up! OMG - what a blast!

I generally don't like to run (but I like to be fit) but I really, really had to force myself to turn back so that I didn't overdo it. It was amazing!!

I enjoyed it so much that I am seriously contemplating buying a $50 annual pass to this park this late in the summer so that I can run on the trails as much as I want (without having to pay for parking each time). It was THAT fun!

[Jolt]

GLC, what are your trails like? Are they fairly smooth dirt, or are they loaded with rocks and roots? I sometimes run trails barefoot and it is fun until I start getting tired and having a harder time with the rocks/roots that are unavoidable here in New England. If I can get really good at doing these trails barefoot I will be in pretty good shape!