Any other Barefoot Runners here on BT?

Rowdy is a big proponent of barefoot running.

I'll stick to shoes, thanks. 

I lurk your's and Geezerjock's Blogs because I think you guys are 2 of the most psychotic training people on BT (and I mean that in the most sincere, in awe way).  Good luck!!

Hi,

I just put a pair of Vibram Five Finger Sprints on hold.  I have had a lot of knee and IT Band issues and just took a Chi Running course to try to solve them.  I think I am on the right track.  What I have been trying to figure out is why can I run for miles on the beach and not be in pain and only run a mile in shoes and it starts bugging me.  How do you like your Five Fingers?

 Your running properly when you are barefoot. That is why you feel no pain. Just take it easy if you run on a hard surface with your Five Fingers. You have to allow your bone density to increase and your muscles to strengthen. You will feel it in your calves for several runs. Don't go running four or five miles your first run. You have to take it easy. You can easily break a leg or fracture your foot if you do too much to soon.

 I have two pairs of the Five Fingers and I am not a big fan of them. I don't like the feeling of my toes be restricted to a certain position. I like to wear water shoes that I get from Wal-Mart. Tons cheaper and just as good.

I am back with an update.  It has been a couple of weeks since I bought the Five Fingers.   I love them!  I feel like a kid running in them again.  Going up hill is SO much easier than in shoes.  Now, I am not going very far (yet).  I have been running 4 miles on trails several times a week.  Since I couldn't do more than 2 miles without a lot of pain in shoes, I feel like I am going somewhere.  I ran through mud last week and just hosed them off when I got home.  I have also kayaked in them.  I am getting lots of blisters as my feet adjust to the changes.  They are not so hot the concrete or maybe I am not so hot on the concrete yet.  I am working on Chi Running at the same time.  I hope that all my efforts together will equal success- at last.  So far, no orthotics, no knee band, no Ipod, no physical therapy...I think I am heading somewhere good!

Now, for racing (Sprint distances) I don't think I can run in these "shoes".  Any ideas?  Maybe Nike Frees? Wal- Mart- water shoes?

Hi,

I was wondering if you were "barefoot" completely or did you where any protection on your feet at all?

Glad to hear your having good success with your FF

It still boggles my mind that my friend who is a longtime BF runner used to duct tape his feet during his transition period. (FF were not yet available)

Double check with the RD for your race but I would bet they would be acceptable as footwear.

FWIW: You might find that the RD is willling to let you run the race BF. There are a few races around me that do allow for this.

I am still transitioning. I go BF on soft surfaces like the beach, grass and the composite running track. I need to get more unshod hard surface runs going mostly to work up the callus's on my feet and to tune in my sense of focus on the road ahead. (To avoid obstacles like rocks and glass)

I probably do about 10-20 MPW on average unshod and have yet to race without shoes. As I said above,  I hope to run a short distance race this year BF.

As I waited to start the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon last December, I cheered on the Full Marathon runners at their start.  One dude ran by me and he was running barefoot.

It was 46 degrees and raining.

I like my Brooks.

Chris

 If your going to run on a track do it early in the morning. By mid morning or early afternoon if the sun has been beating down on it you don't want to be on it barefoot until you have built up the skin on the sole of your foot.

I've just started going over to the high school stadium and running BF on the artificial turf.  It's wonderful.  Last week I took a lap around the track, and it was ok, but I'm not sure my feet are ready for that yet.  In addition I've started taking my shoes off when I enter my office and just stay in my stocking feet when I'm in the office. 

I do love running on the artifical turf.  it's so soft and it's very smooth - no holes to worry about.

 Just take out the foam pad they put in the water shoes and give it a go. I have no problems running with them. They felt heavy compared to the five fingers but my legs adjusted to the difference rather quickly. It can take several months for the sole of your foot to thicken with skin that is why I wear the water shoes. I am not going to run barefoot on pavement in the winter where I live. So I figure why not wear water shoes year round. Sometimes I will wear thin socks if it is cold outside or if something in the water shoe is rubbing on the sole of my foot.

Remember, take it easy at first. Your muscles and bones need to adjust and that can take up to a month if not longer.

I'm interested in ordering a pair of the FF, but I have a question.  I usually wear 9's -- which is on the small side for a guy.  On the Vibram website, it says their sizing for men starts at 10".  Now, doing their sizing test (heel against the wall), my feet are just shy of 10".

Think it's OK for me to order the size 10 (40)?  Or should I get one of the women's size?