Any barefoot runners out there?

lisab42

I would be interested in hearing from any barefoot runners out there. My partner and I both run and we are having a great debate about going barefoot or not. He's a bit pessimistic but I'm keen to try it though I would expect it will take time to transition. On a distance run further than 15k I can feel the stress in my ankles while wearing shoes. So I would think I will need to build up strength in my lower legs feet and ankles to go barefoot. So tell me your story please. What got you interested? Where did you get your shoes? Are you more prone to injury? And so on and so forth.....

LaPistolaSexola

i'd be scared i'd step on a rock. :sick:

VeganInTraining

I have often wondered the same thing. To transition I want to try those those that are "like" running barefoot, but the ones I tried on had too long of toes.

theba2il

Hello. I have a pair of Merrell Barefoot. I love them. I'm not a runner. I wear them for walking, Zumba and other fitness dvd's. They also are great for out and about as well. I bought them from REI. After reading the reviews on their site helped me to make my decision.

yogavegan

i have had foot pain since i started running about 4 years ago, and i switched to fila skeletoes back in april after spending 2 months in severe pain from plantar fasciitis. everyone told me to buy expensive orthotics and more expensive running shoes (used to swear by my $150 mizunos). however, the only time i felt relief from the pf was when i went barefoot. this made sense to me, because, as a full time yoga & pilates instructor, i am barefoot most of the time. the only time i wear shoes really is when i go out to the store, or to dinner, etc. at home, at work, in my car, i am barefoot.

within a month the pain of the pf was completely gone. i started by walking around in the skeletoes, and then slowly added in running mileage. the longest run i have done is 8 miles. it is a very different feeling, you can feel the difference between concrete and pavement, and if there are a lot of rocks or whatnot, you are aware of them much more. i am more aware of my stride as well, i tend to take smaller steps, and pull my knees up higher. also, my pr has steadily gotten better since i started wearing them.

i would love to actually go barefoot, but i run on roads most of the time, and the pavement/asphalt is too hot, too full of glass, pebbles, etc and i am not willing to sacrifice my feet for the feeling. the barefoot shoes are great.

i picked the skeletoes because they were on sale and i had a giftcard for that store. i have been looking into getting Merrells in the fall when i replace.

oh and i wear them for everything, except cycling. weight lifting, zumba, step, elliptical, dvds.

lisab42

Thanks everybody, the feedback is much appreciated. All the best :flowerforyou:

ShellyLee

Both hubby and I have vibrams. Hubby does run in his, he no longer gets knee pain and his times are also much better than when he used to wear regular running shoes. Sneakers put padding where we naturally don't have padding and essentially let you run improperly... the "toes shoes" will probably make your feet/legs hurt a bit in the beginning (would suggest starting with short distances and building from there), but will correct your gait.

lisab42

Thanks ShellyLee....and thank your hubby too :happy:

rybo

I run in vibrams.

I never had any issues with injury or pain to cause me to try it, I just came across some info about the whole barefoot thing, so I kept reading more & more. It all made sense to me. So i tried it last summer. Loved it. Took a while to build up my lower legs. Let it slide over winter, but back again this summer & I do most of my running that way. I've gone as far as 8 miles with no issues or problems.

I have no proof or anything about the story I am going to cite, but I recently sprained my ankle on a trail run, (wearing shoes). It was one of the farthest times my ankle has rolled to the side, I was really scared it was going to be bad. But here I am just a few days later and it has bared swelled, and there is minimal pain. I'm still resting it, but plan to run again this weekend. I really believe that all the barefoot running I've done, helped this sprain not to be as bad as it could have been had my legs/tendons, not been strengthened from the barefoot running.

lisab42

Well I think it's time I tried the barefoot style shoe. Wish me luck.

jessicamckay13

I looooooooooooooooove LOVE my Merrell Pace Gloves. I wasn't ready to go five-fingers (although my 2 year old convinced me to try some on in Scheels) but it seemed like a good transition shoe. I wore them out and about for a week or so then jogged a mile in them and worked up from there. If you're looking for a transition shoe, try them!

jessicamckay13

PS: if those are your abs in the picture...I hate you.

Kidding. Slightly jealous though. No. Very jealous.

Collinsky

I'm not quite a runner yet (still doing C25K, and getting there!) but I run barefoot, as do the 3 friends I'm running with. I have not had any shin splints -- which I have always gotten after *any* running in the past! -- or foot/knee/leg/hip/back pain. I'm planning on getting some Vibrams in the fall when the ground starts getting too cold for bare feet, but except for the New England winter, I will probably stick with bare feet. I love it.

Because I wasn't running before, there wasn't much transitioning for me... I just had to be careful of my foot strike, but it was a lot easier than I had been led to believe by various "beginning barefoot running" sites. However, I assume that if you're not used to working out barefoot, and doing 10+ mile runs, you would not be able to do all that barefoot - your feet would need time to work up to it.

lisab42

So all who posted a reply to my barefoot inquiry, I hope you see this most recent post from me. Thank you so very very much for all the information. Not only have I transitioned into a pair of Merrell Pace Gloves but I've dropped two minutes from my best 5k run time! About 5 years ago I suffered a fractured fibula and have had nearly daily pain due to scar tissue and muscles tightening on my run. My new barefoot shoes have allievated that pain and for that I am so eternally grateful :smooched: Oh, and between you and me, that obstinate runner partner of mine has become a believer :laugh: Thanks you all again. Have a fantastic day and run on my friends. :bigsmile:

summertime_girl

I began the transition when I was researching why I was having such debilitating pain in my knees. Truly crippling. I'd get done with a run, and struggle to walk up and down my stairs. I did a lot of research, read books (ChiRunning in particular). I watch videos, and I met with a coach.

It's a gradual transition to that type of running, since you must completely alter your posture as well. I'm down to a pair of minimalist shoes (Newton Running Distance), and running in excess of 30 miles a week. My next step down will be a pair of Vibram 5 Fingers.

You simply cannot heel strike when you're barefoot, and that's what causes the majority of the pain.

summertime_girl

I began the transition when I was researching why I was having such debilitating pain in my knees. Truly crippling. I'd get done with a run, and struggle to walk up and down my stairs. I did a lot of research, read books (ChiRunning in particular). I watch videos, and I met with a coach.

It's a gradual transition to that type of running, since you must completely alter your posture as well. I'm down to a pair of minimalist shoes (Newton Running Distance), and running in excess of 30 miles a week. My next step down will be a pair of Vibram 5 Fingers.

You simply cannot heel strike when you're barefoot, and that's what causes the majority of the pain.

27strange

Glad I stumbled upon the information you all have shared here. I am really considering looking at Merrell Pace Gloves or New Balance Minimus minimalist shoes for my next pair. I currently run in the ultra lightweight Saucony Kinvara 2's and am inching my way closer to minimalism. Next step I think is some merrells or NBs with the vibram sole, absolutely no padding...Then if I enjoy those maybe the Vibram toe shoes in the future...

My Kinvara's I love and have a lot less knee pain than I did running in normal running shoes. I want to see if the closer I get to barefoot running the better I enjoy it, but like I said, I am inching my way there.