VFFs and long distance

I did a half marathon in regular shoes at the weekend and my feet were sore after 13 miles. It's not the shoes, it's the distance. I assume if you keep training it gets better. YMMV.

How did they help your shin splints?  Did it change your foot strike?   

Thanks, that makes me feel better.  I just got a pair of merrell trails and ran 13.5 today with pretty much the same result and much less of the "feel of the earth" that I enjoy with VFFs.  Fortunately, I bought the merrells from REI so I can return them (love that store's return anything anytime any reason policy).  I think I'll just be patient with my body and more diligent with the post workout ice baths.

Shin splints are now non existent, they stopped right away after starting to use the VFFs.

As for my foot strike, it changed to a fore/midfoot right away, for me I didn't even have to think about it as heel striking in VFFs would be painful!

How long had you been running in your regular shoes prior to switching?   I saw you did a 50k trail in a regular shoe.  Were your shin splints consistent the entire time training for this race?  I ask, because I have been running for over a year now, and have consistently upped my mileage, haven't over run, etc but I am plagued every now and then with persistent shin splints.  Can go one week fine, the next week they are constant.  

Hey Scaulfield,

Welcome to BT! and thanks for the info.

Assuming you're running with the proper technique - any pain you're getting will go away (splints, foot pain, etc). 

If you're still feeling those pains and you've logged some time in them - then maybe barefoot running isn't for you (it's not for everyone).  ESPECIALLY if you aren't running with the right stride.

Just an observation I see a lot (not necessarily saying this applies to anyone):  People get in minimalist shoes or VFF and then start mashing their heels because they're doing a combination of a barefoot strike and their previous running strike.  I see it all the time on the trails (yeah yeah, I'm the "heel striker" guy  *sigh*).  The benefit of these shoes is nullified if not used correctly (just like anything else in life).

That said, if used correctly, you should have no problem doing any distance in VFF or other minimalist/barefoot shoes.

I had only been running in regular shoes for about 6 Months before I switched so i had the benefit of still being a new runner when I started using VFFs. The shin splints went away and i never looked back.

For the 50k trail I ran in New Balance Minimus Trail shoes and while they are not VFFs they are the same concept, minimal with no cushion or heel to toe drop. I wore them instead of VFFs because it was a fairly technical trail in spots and the minimus have a tread pattern better suited for trails. Vibram now makes a trail specific model and I will most likely switch to it for future trail running.

As for training for the 50k i never really trained specifically for that race. The race was in October and I had just done IMWI in September so I had the base from all the training i did for that, all of which was done in VFFs.

Oh and when I ran in shoes I had some extent of shin splints every time I ran, it was pretty standard for me to ice both legs after a run and my goal when I started was Ironman so I knew I had to figure something out! For me that something was minimalist shoes.

This is good stuff!  I'm a casual KSO wearer but would someday like to transition to running in them.   Just curious if the VFF runners know about what cadence they run at.  I run at 180 in regular shoes and would think it should be even faster in VFFs.