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Barefoot Runners
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Did my first barefoot run this week. Looking forward to more of them. Running in the FiveFingers ottherwise.
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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Josh...can you tell me how long a distance you have gone in the VFFs? Also, can you offer any advice for ramping up from normal running shoes to this style of running. I am trying to figure out what the right balance is to avoid some the initial issues, such as sore calves and blistering on my feet.
Thanks!
Jason
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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I am also running in VFF, but want to transition to pure barefoot someday.
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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I think the longest distance I've run so far has been 20 miles, but I'm just starting to ramp up for longer runs this year. Barefoot Ted is planning on running the Leadville 100 in his. I've also run in mine for 2 years, so they have some staying power.
My advice for transitioning would be to go with the flow. Your body will be learning a new way of moving, so it will need you to take it slow at first. Read up about the correct form. Form is King. I'm still learning a lot about how to carry myself too.
The first barefoot run I did was 7 miles (way too far for the first time) and I had blisters all over. I then looked at the problems and said, "how do I stop that from happening", and my form has evolved from there.
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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20 miles is a good distance in them. I know Ted runs Ultras in them so I know it can be done. Sometime soon I am going to go to one of Ted's one on one trainings, he lives right over in Seatle.
I do go with the flow also, my longest run has been 6 miles on gravel roads and on of 6 miles on pavement and both were just fine.posted over 2 years ago | Report
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7.5 miles in my VFFs yesterday. Other than a hotspot blister, no problems. The run was good, and my gait has improved with shorter strides and higher cadence. Even my average heartbeat for the run was lower than when I was running in the clunky cushioned trainers.
Hoping to run in a 10 mile race this weekend in the VFFs. I'm sure I'll be getting some major looks and questions!! The VFFs haven't broken the market here in Dublin, Ireland.
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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I have been running barefoot for 4 months. I seem to have cured the achilles tendonitis that has plagued my running for 20 years----i've been running since I was 8----37 years. I was beginning to give up on running. Heard Christopher McDougall on NPR, bought the book "Born to Run".
Started slow; walks around the neighborhood. But soon was jogging and running. Now I am completely hooked. Spent a work week in London recently and ran all over Hyde Park, Holland Park, Shepherd's Bush, Hammersmith and Chiswick. The looks I got from Londoners were priceless. And the runs in the parks were fabulous.
I'm a total convert. It will be interesting to see what I end up with during the winter. I have some Soft Star Moccasins that I look forward to running in as soon as it gets too cold to go unshod.
I tried on Vibram Five Fingers but the feel of the shoes in the store did not make me want to spend all that money. I instead bought some $10 Target water shoes and replaced the cheap insoles with the insoles from my fancy Asics that made my achilles tendon ache like hell. That works pretty well, but barefoot is best for me. Maybe for Christmas I'll get some Vibrams.
good luck
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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Deleted User
I just started last week by running barefoot in a grass field for my cool down. It felt great! I'm looking at VFF or possibly watershoes to make sure it's right for me. One possible transition idea: I removed the insoles from my Saucony's and, it seems pretty obvious, but it felt closer to barefoot.
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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I've done one fully barefoot run. I'm still a bit hesitant, especially running places I'm not very familiar with the terrain. Mostly I run in VFFs, but still thinking I may take the plunge to all nude feet!
posted over 2 years ago | Report
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Started running again a few days ago after been injured for the past few months. Before the injurie I ran on the VFFs and barefoot for a short while. It got my interest after I ran a few months in the Ecco Biom A shoes which helped me transition to a more fore foot stride. I got injured by doing a long run in some racing shoes after taking one too many sprints during this run. Now I decided to go barefoot only since that will not allow me to do those things since my feet cannot handle that yet. Did my first run again this week in the VFFs but took them of and ran a little bit more. So much nicer to run without them. I think my VFF (got a pair of classics and pair of sprints) are a tiny little bit too small. Have the feeling one toe gets pushed in my feet a little bit.. I run barefeet on the streets, apshalt and concrete mostly.
posted about 2 years ago | Report
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I switched to completely barefoot and have now logged about 14 miles or so. I had considered buying some VFFs but most of the experienced barefooters said that it's better to "transition" with bare feet first and then use VFFs or something else if necessary. So that's what I'm doing.
I have made a pair of huaraches with a rubber car mat and some Army parachute cord, but have yet to need them. I plan to use them if I enter a race that is beyond the distance I've run barefoot, just to keep blisters at bay.
posted almost 2 years ago | Report
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I've been running barefoot since 2007. I just wasn't haven't much luck running in shoes, so I thought it would be worth trying. Now I only wear minimalist shoes when it's too cold for feet.
posted almost 2 years ago | Report
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I did my first barefoot run yesterday and it was fantastic! I took the advice of many before me and started slow, about a mile and a half at a ten minute mile pace. I just went out nice and easy, getting the feel of the pavement (and pebbles!) under my feet. I was shocked at how my pace naturally altered to accommodate my bare feet. I have been running in my VFFs for three months now, and I thought my fore foot strike form was pretty good, but after the smoothness of my barefoot mile yesterday, I am going to have to reevaluate! In much the same way that the dexterity of your hands and fingers is lessened by wearing gloves of any thickness, it seems that even VFFs cannot replicate the control one has while running completely barefoot. The most amazing part was the perfect silence and the feeling of utterly flawless efficiency.
posted almost 2 years ago | Report
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I don't own VFFs, and i've been running completely barefoot for the past few months. It's been great so far, only minor scrapes to irritate me once in awhile.
I've been a shod-runner before (longest run is a marathon) though and i'm making the transition sloooooooowly. My longest run barefoot so far is only 10k and i'm building up towards completing a marathon barefoot, hopefully this year.
posted almost 2 years ago | Report
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Jeez, have VFF's been around for two years?
I started running bf almost immediately after the "You Walk Wrong" article came out in summer 2008. I do almost all of my running bf, only using 4 mm cherry huaraches if (1) the trail is paved in scoria (who decided this would be a good idea?), (2) I'm in a race and don't know the terrain (see reason 1), or (3) it's over 100 degrees and I'm running on asphalt.
I hadn't run more than a mile since 1999 due to injuries. I started BF-ing and immediately, running became not just a workout but a way of life.
posted almost 2 years ago | Report
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Not barefoot yet, but have graduated to huarache sandals. I make mine out of industrial baler belt (easier for me to get than Vibram soling material and very durable).
posted almost 2 years ago | Report
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I tried barefoot, but the routes I run aren't so great for that... Streets with lots of broken glass, paved trails with a very sharp grain, and abundant scorpions and snakes. VFFs are working great so far though!
posted almost 2 years ago | Report
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I just started running bf, no vibrams au naturale. I have had my best times barefoot. What kind of times are you all posting?
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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in reply to what David said:I just started running bf, no vibrams au naturale. I have had my best times barefoot. What kind of times are you all posting?
This question reminds me of how much less I care about times after going barefoot. Running has become so much more fun and interactive that I no longer care for it.
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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Me. I actually just started running; I've never run for exercise (or fun) before last Monday :-)
I ordered some vffs, should be here tomorrow. Looking forward to having them, but I may continue running completely barefoot. I don't know- suggestions?
I just moved here to a very suburban and runner-friendly place, and have been walking around barefoot for a month, getting my feet fit. Seemed to work, as now I'm running and my feet are feeling great (calves, not as great.)
I did my first 1/2 mile my first day, some on concrete and some on dewey grass. Today I did a mile all on concrete.
Anyone have any thoughts as to whether or not I should keep going straight-up barefoot? Should/can I go from VFFs to barefoot and back again?
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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in reply to what Ben said:Me. I actually just started running; I've never run for exercise (or fun) before last Monday :-) I ordered some vffs, should be here tomorrow. Looking forward to having them, but I may continue running completely barefoot. I don't know- sugges... read more
I've been doing the barefoot thing for a few weeks now Ben and your calves are going to be sore for a while. I'm up to 2 miles on concrete. My calves take about 2-3 days to recover anytime I increase the distance by more than .5 miles. That being said, It's been worth it. I love the connection to the ground and the feeling.
It's your choice if you want to run with minimal shoes, but the only true way to run barefoot is to be barefoot.
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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Response was meant for Ben.
posted over 1 year ago | edited over 1 year ago | Report
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in reply to what Ben said:Me. I actually just started running; I've never run for exercise (or fun) before last Monday :-) I ordered some vffs, should be here tomorrow. Looking forward to having them, but I may continue running completely barefoot. I don't know- sugges... read more
Ben,
Welcome! My advice would be to stick with barefoot. VFFs can be great for terrain or conditions that don't allow barefoot (like very hot pavement, really sharp rocks, etc.), but they will mute the feedback you get and make it easier to overdo it early (too much too soon) which can lead to injury.
I went the other way, starting in VFFs, and for the last few months have been barefoot almost exclusively. It hasn't been without some struggles, but I much prefer barefoot whenever possible.
Whatever you do, have fun, and best of luck.
Michael
posted over 1 year ago | Report
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I do completely barefoot! But still a newbie, though. i found that using the VFFs makes me go too far up on the ball of the foot (because i cant feel the friction), causing overuse of the calves. So barefoot makes me maintain good form the best!
Am leaving the VFFs for particularly difiicult terrain, like Michael B says.posted over 1 year ago | Report
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