Barefoot running?

I recently started experimenting with barefoot running at the local track. I go once or twice a week and do easy runs on the grass football field and dirt track. I like it- I don't feel the usual minor aches and pains while running. Time will tell, I guess.

I'm a barefoot runner most of the time since 2005, keeps all my old running injuries under control and its just fun running this way.

Ran 2 of my first 3 tri's barefoot this year, so yup I like it.  

I am moving into barefoot running.  I've had foot problems most of the last 4 years.  Tried the custom orthotic route, doctors, podiatrists, you name it.  I've only been trying BF about a month, but I can tell a difference already.  Just 10 minutes at a time.  Once I get past the soreness of the calf and achilles (very typical when starting out), I plan on transitioning to this style full time.

Oh, and Vibram FiveFinger shoes might be good to look into as well.

Am just starting to run a little (on grass) barefoot.  After one year of battling PF, I'm ready to try anything so I'm easing in some shoeless runs with my daughter on "her" loop of 0.5 miles.  I do think that walking around barefoot is helping strengthen my feet, so that is good.

Given some of the great running societies in the world of people who run barefoot, or nearly barefoot, I wouldn't exactly call it a "hippy fad".

Just did 5 miles this morning in my Vibram Fivefingers.  A couple months ago I started doing a fairly large proportion of my running in VFF's, and some barefoot.  I'm really enjoying it.  Roads, trails, everywhere.  I've also started trying to spend as much of my non-running time as possible either barefoot or in minimally supportive shoes.

I've had my fair share of the typical running related injuries, and recently became enlightened about research that seems to indicate a direct relationship between the rates of running injuries and modern cushioned supportive running shoes.  I'd recently started feeling the onset of plantar fasciitis, one of the only running injuries I'd yet to suffer.  So I took action, and took off my Brooks.

Be prepared for a significant period of adaptation if you're interested in moving into barefoot or minimalist footwear running.  It takes time for the bones and muscles in your feet and ankles, which have spent most of their lives atrophying in highly supportive shoes, to strengthen.  Also, if you're currently a heel striker in cushioned shoes, making the move to mid/fore-foot striking, as happens naturally when going barefoot/minimal, puts a new burden on your calves and Achilles tendons, which need time to adapt and strengthen.

If you're interested, I think this guy did a nice write-up, making the case for barefoot or minimalist footwear running.

http://www.adventureinprogress.com/tcfmf-introduction

Try it.  You just might like it.

Haven't used water shoes myself, but if you're interested in learning more about various minimalist shoe options, you could check out a Google group Barefoot Ted started up awhile ago on this general topic.

http://groups.google.com/group/huaraches?hl=en