Has anyone tried "barefoot" running?

[owbc]

For those of you in the running world, you may know that barefoot running--or near barefoot running--has become increasingly popular in the last few years. Barefoot runners argue that modern shoes with thick heels and cushioning have grown too supportive and are actually weakening foot muscles and contributing to running injuries.

 

I have run for several years now, always in well-supported running shoes, but I continue to struggle with injuries, even after I have seen a personal trainer to fix my running form and strengthen my leg and core muscles. It has become especially frustrating now that I am planning to run the Madison marathon at the end of next month and am well behind in training due to injuries. I closely followed a training program that gradually increased my mileage over the past 5 months, so the shoes are about the only thing left to blame.

 

I have no intentions on running completely barefoot and it is far too late to change shoes in this stage of my training. However, this summer I will be due for a new pair of shoes and I noticed that a number of companies have started selling shoes that intend to mimic the barefoot running experience. The most intriguing are these Vibram shoes that look like a pair of gloves for the feet. Nike now sells normal-looking minimalist running shoes as well, and I'm sure every other company will follow in the next few years if they haven't already.

 

So, I am interested to know if anyone has tried barefoot running and if so, what you think about it?

[homer]

It worked for Zola Budd.

 

I've never done it but I would think it would be really hard to get started with this. Imagine running along on asphalt and stepping on a pebble. Not to mention running when it's hot out. The guys in Kenya and Ethiopia run barefoot their whole lives. Be interesting to see how someone that's done it got started and what that first run felt like. I do think it would force you to run on the balls of your feet and stay off your heels.

[John Brew]

I used to run more than I do now, but several years ago I randomly read an article on the Tarahumara indians in Mexico who run with minimal sandles. I decided to give it a try and have run with Nike Free shoes ever since. But you have to completely change your running style. As homer alludes to, my heels never hit the ground and I take shorter strides. Sure it was a little awkward at first but it felt natural fairly quickly. I love it, much less jarring.

NY Times article

[twobrewers]

That is a great article. Very fascinating.

 

John Brew - how has running "barefoot" with the Nike Free effected your times/workout? It seems like it would be very hard on your calf muscles.

[dadofandrew]

If your foot is not "normal", flat or high arches like me, I think you're really going to struggle with barefoot running.

[John Brew]

twobrewers, I ran a marathon 10 years ago but that was the extent of my competitive running. I run for cross training now or just a casual jog with my wife along the lake, 5-7 miles tops. I would guess this style of running is a little bit slower for me, but I wasn't fast to begin with! I think for me I was able to switch to this because I wasn't training for a race or anything - I took my time with it. I would run a mile or less at first trying this out, for awhile actually, because it does strain your calves and shins. Before too long it feels comfortable but you have to take it really slow at first.

[owbc]

Thanks for the advice!

 

I have done more research and I have decided that I will try it this summer--I will probably go with the Nike Free. I have a medium arches and no known mechanical problems. At this point, there is nothing to lose since I will probably give up running if I have to struggle through any more long injury recoveries. I will probably get used to them by first wearing them around for normal walking for about a week and then slowly start jogging.

[Diskono]

Wow, I didn't know they still made Nike Frees. I bought a pair several years ago and thought they were great, but I hadn't seen them in stores since...figured they just didn't take off. I definitely prefer to have as little "shoe" as possible on my feet when I run...I do like running barefoot, but that scares me a bit. Track spikes work alright too.

[M Skjellyfetti]

I tried some straight barefoot running last summer (I didn't really feel like paying $70 if I could possibly get a similar feel for free). I didn't do it often enough to build up the calluses needed to go much more than a couple miles, but I will probably try to do some more barefoot running this summer as well. Definitely take your time working up the distance you go barefoot, because even if it doesn't hurt while you're running, it'll hurt for a few days after you're done if you go too far too soon.

[JumpinMacFlash]

I love running and I love being barefoot, so this thread got me thinking about combining the two.

 

The wife and I are going to be giving this a shot and I even found a pair of the Vibram FiveFingers in her size. She already helped me change my style and I've been running more on the balls of my feet and reducing my heel-strike for almost two years now. My knees don't give me nearly as many problems as they used to and my legs as a whole are much stronger. I'm not going to start completely barefoot and I'm trying to find a pair of FiveFingers in my size. Either way, I'm kind of excited to see how this goes.

[I Heart Brewers]

It is very popular here in the Bay Area and I remember reading this article about it last year as I run about 3-4x a week and was thinking the same thing you were. The Vibram Foot Fingers seem a bit more suited for the hardcore barefoot runner but might be worth a shot if the Nike Free's don't give you the barefoot feel you're looking for.

 

I never tried barefoot running, I would be interested in hearing anyone else's experience as well.

[JumpinMacFlash]

I haven't come back to update this yet, but I found myself a pair of Vibram FiveFingers. Here are a couple pics of them.

 

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs150.snc4/36864_606981199848_219701744_34867514_1932693_n.jpg

 

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs070.ash2/36864_606981209828_219701744_34867515_6910799_n.jpg

 

They're insanely comfortable just to wear around. However, they do take some getting used to. I've been easing into using them full-time, and I'm finally figuring out how to run with them. I've had some problems with blisters, but that's becoming less frequent, and my legs feel absolutely fantastic. I'd recommend these to anyone.

[owbc]

Those Five-Fingers look really nice! I didn't have the guts to get them, I went with the Nike Free instead. I just bought them last week. They weigh less than 1/2 my previous running shoes, but they still have arch and heel support.

Today was the first day that I really tested them--I ran just under 8 miles, all on pavement. It is easier to run with them due to the reduced weight. However, I still find myself landing on my heels sometimes, but it is better than with the full tech shoes. I think there is too much heel padding to create a legitimate barefoot experience. My knee pain has subsided somewhat but it still there. No sign of shin splints, which have nagged me for the last 6+ months. However, I did have some lower back stiffness, which I did not experience in the tech shoes.

Overall, they are not perfect, but a good transition away from the tech shoes. There is no additional pressure on my legs, despite the greatly reduced padding. I will use them to train for my next half-marathon in January and see how it goes.

[Beerambassador]

So would a shoe like Nike Free be a wise decision for a novice runner, or is this more of an "advanced" method of running? It's got me intrigued.

[JumpinMacFlash]

Thanks obsessed. I was really thinking hard about whether or not to get them, but I'm really glad that I did. I was thinking about the Nike Free, but I wanted to try something drastically different.

 

I'm a little jealous about the length of your run. With the VFFs, I've been constantly tinkering with my running style so everything feels natural. To get used to the absence of cushion, I have to shorten my stride and go at a slightly slower pace. There were initial issues with toe-stubbing, but that ended quickly. At first, I would run more on the balls of my feet and my toes, but it was uncomfortable and I've adjusted to coming down on a more mid-foot point. Blisters are a little bit of a problem, and I'm guessing it's because I'm now running without socks. My feet aren't used to this style, so I need to toughen them up a bit. I've been going on more, shorter runs (my latest was the longest: 3.8 miles) to get them adjusted and I walk around barefoot as often as I can, in order to get a consistent motion. The other, more insignificant, drawback is the VFFs tend to make your feet stink, but they are machine-washable and i use a bit of foot powder (it seems to help).

 

There's a lot of adjustment, but it feels so neat and natural. Also, I can run two or three miles in them and I get a great burn in my calves and quads that feels like I've run 12 miles. You should really consider a pair.

[M Skjellyfetti]

A barefoot/"minimalist" shoe doesn't have to be for an advanced runner. I'd just suggest doing lots of research about barefoot running to inform your decision. There's some evidence that points to this possibly being better for your knees/hips/back, etc. in the long run (pun unintended) as long as you take your time and switch from shod running to barefoot/minimalist VERY SLOWLY to avoid injuring your calves, etc. I'd also recommend searching what a barefoot stride should look like. That can be very helpful for visualizing and confirming or disconfirming whether your stride is adjusting to the new shoes appropriately.

 

 

Also, for an update: I finally bit the bullet and ponied up for a barefoot shoe. I ordered the RunAmoc Lite from Softstar Shoes (Softstarshoes.com). It should be arriving tomorrow. I'm excited to take them out for a run this week.

[I Heart Brewers]

Boy the barefoot/minimalist revolution is catching on at bfnet. I ordered my Vibram KSO's last week and they should arrive tomorrow. I'm excited to get started and from the research I've been doing I have to echo M Skjellyfetti's point about taking it slow. That seems to be the major theme with everyone that has converted. Take it slow and try to run at a pace that makes sense for you. Although, I would think the pace part would take care of itself if you just listen to your feet and body during and after you run. I can't imagine I will be able to run nearly as quick as I did in shoes but I'm okay with that.

 

I'll be very interested to follow everyone's progress.

[Menotti80]

sort of a related note. i tried barefoot running yesterday (unintentionally). was walking the new dog (i was wearing sandals), and somehow she got loose and started running. i had no idea at first where she was headed or what she was going to do, so i took off after her. after 2 steps my sandals flew off and i was in full pursuit after her.

 

luckily, she ran home...

 

but i will never run barefoot again. i am still beyond sore right now...

[JumpinMacFlash]

I'm bringing this back again.

 

I had a problem with my Vibram KSOs. The strap was breaking on both sides of the right shoe. I took them back to Morgan's Shoes in Madison and they took them back and gave me a brand new pair in a M42. I was very happy, because I really like them. If I have the same problem with this pair, I might take them back and try upgrading to the Vibram Bikila. They have a different strap design and are (supposedly) even better suited for running.

 

While I was without my KSOs, I decided to take a couple of short jogs completely barefoot. I had to go slow because I didn't want to injure my foot, but they went surprisingly well. The varying types of ground were a little rough on my feet, but I didn't feel and ill effects. The only downside was how dirty my feet were. It would still take quite a while to get used to being completely barefoot.

 

On a side note, I thought this looked really interesting:

 

http://www.dwddevilslake.com/

 

I think this would be a fun thing to train for. I didn't know if anyone else had seen it or was thinking about participating. Thoughts?