Barefoot Running

[MartianDestiny]

From my understanding, shin splints is the result of heel striking and having your foot then slap down onto the ground, stressing the muscles on the front of your shins. In barefoot running you should NEVER heel strike; I've read that it's enough to rattle your fillings if you do.

I realized I was doing this in shoes when I started running again last month (I am not a fan of running, but I want to try some tri's, so...). I was not happy that my shins, thighs, and knees were not happy after a mere 2 miles (I was up to 10 no problems last year).

The other thread was timely. I'm trying barefoot to correct this issue. First run was great, no leg soreness, but my feet weren't happy. I'll have to go a bit slower to get them to toughen up for me and wear shoes to get the mileage in in the meantime.

My roommate thinks I've lost my marbles.

I'm not sure I can get the VFFs to work for me since all but my big toe are moderately webbed Hoping I can find some locally I can try on and see.

[Andrea]

...My roommate thinks I've lost my marbles...

You'll get this a lot! You'll also get random bits of unsolicited "advice" from people who see you with no shoes.

I was running on a MUT the other day and a woman going the other direction said, "You're barefoot! Do you run that way?!" (thank you Ms. Captain Obvious)

[MartianDestiny]

You'll get this a lot! You'll also get random bits of unsolicited "advice" from people who see you with no shoes.

I was running on a MUT the other day and a woman going the other direction said, "You're barefoot! Do you run that way?!" (thank you Ms. Captain Obvious)

"Here's your sign" (of course, she was probably thinking of that phrase applied to you as well)

[HillSlugger]

My FiveFingers are being delivered today! I won't get to run in them for a while yet but I'll use them for walking around in first, assuming they fit.

[OakLeaf]

Barefootin' hits the big time.

I really need to find a PT or podiatrist who, as the article says, doesn't believe that "one size fits all."

[Biciclista]

the article that Oakleaf mentions above listed several shoe manufacturers that supposedly carry minimalist running shoes. the only one who seemed to have minimalist shoes was the Terra Plana brand. The others all carried running shoes that looked like they had the typical big heels, etc.
I walk in Nike Free shoes, before that I was wearing a popular brand (i forget) with a big built in arch and a firm sole. My feet hated them. TOo bad, they were so cute.

I believe what we need is something to protect our feet from the elements and the glass and other sharp stuff on the ground; nothing more.

[Jolt]

I believe what we need is something to protect our feet from the elements and the glass and other sharp stuff on the ground; nothing more.

Exactly!!!

[GLC1968]

I believe what we need is something to protect our feet from the elements and the glass and other sharp stuff on the ground; nothing more.

Isn't that what the Vibram FiveFingers does?

If I want to start running barefoot around our property, I need something to protect my feet from blackberry shoots. Of course, those suckers will sometimes go right through my croc soles, so I doubt that VFF will work.

[HillSlugger]

One of the things that got me interested in barefoot running was listening to a podcast of an interview with the author of "Born to Run". An excerp from his book claims that wearing running shoes does not decrease the rate of running injuries and that injuries are actually more frequent as the cost of the shoe increases! The thicker the padding the less the foot can feet the running surface and the less it can properly adapt. The result is a weakening of our inherent foot mechanics

Before I started running I went to a reputable running store and after doing their stuff they put me into motion control shoes because I over pronate. As I started running I experience bad ankle pain that had me seeking a podiatrist. By the time I finally got in to see him the pain was reducing but he got me into custom orthotics. I admit that I no longer have ankle pain, but I now find that I need MORE support in my everyday shoes! When I started running I was definitely a midfoot striker but I find myself moving towards heel striking. I believe the idea that the motion control shoes and the orthotics are making my feet weaker. I think if I had just waited it out a little longer I would have been fine without the orthotics.

I've already been going around the house more in bare feet and I'm gonna be checking out the VFF's when they arrive today but I'm not sure how soon I'll try running in them. I've just also started thinking that maybe I should remove the orthotics and go back to running without them. I'm just not sure how to work the transition back to "normal" feet.

[Biciclista]

good luck mdhillslug
remember there are muscles that need to be strengthened, so take it slowly.

[HillSlugger]

good luck mdhillslug
remember there are muscles that need to be strengthened, so take it slowly.

Yes, I'm keenly aware of this. That why I've started the barefooting around the house and why I intend to start just walking around with the VFFs. I'm thinking that transitioning out of the insoles is also a step in the right direction (pun intended).

[HillSlugger]

My VFF's came!

I ordered the classics and the KSOs in two sizes each. I've been wanding about the house in the classics since around 6pm. Takes some getting used to but I like them so far.

[JH-NV]

I'm curious as to the arches of the majority of the women posting here who wear the VFF.
Also, I feel discouraged when I go barefoot outside, because it really is painful. I feel like I'm encouraging my feet to be Pre-diabetic! (normal glucose)
I will keep reading the posts to see everyone's results. And, I will suck it up outside in the yard and force myself to walk on gravel, etc.

[Jolt]

I'm curious as to the arches of the majority of the women posting here who wear the VFF.
Also, I feel discouraged when I go barefoot outside, because it really is painful. I feel like I'm encouraging my feet to be Pre-diabetic! (normal glucose)
I will keep reading the posts to see everyone's results. And, I will suck it up outside in the yard and force myself to walk on gravel, etc.

To answer your question, I'd say my arches are medium. It will be interesting to see if there's the whole range with those of us using the VFF.

[mayanorange]

These are pretty cool. I had the pleasure of hearing Dr Lieberman from Harvard give a fascinating speech at ACSM last week on the evolution of humans as endurance runners and he's very interested in the effects of shoes on our feet- looks like he's recruiting FF wearers in addition to his barefooters. Between him and Hugh Herr, who's working on understanding feet to create prosthetics and exoskeletons (assisting impairments), I think we're going to see some huge changes in the understanding of what our feet can do and how much our current shoes inhibit them. Maybe someday I'll be lucky enough to work with one of them- they're truly the rockstars of biomechanics.