Has anyone had bad experience with barefoot running?

Options
I'm interested in this and have started to dabble. I've heard a lot of pros but would also be interested in anyone has had injuries, plantar fascitis, etc.
«1

Replies

  • sabified
    sabified Posts: 1,051 Member
    Options
    I think you should invest in vibram :) Not that I do barefoot running, but if I did I would definitely use a pair of those instead.
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    Options
    I did it barefoot for many months on the treadmill and loved it. Then when summer came along, I bought some running shoes. Now I find that I prefer the shoes. But I still land on my forefoot, which is a habit I picked up from doing it barefoot.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    Options
    They now make "barefoot runners" (I don't know if that's the official name), basically, a very flexible rubber that fits snuggly to the foot (even each toe) and protects your feet from pebbles, glass, slivers, etc but still gives the feel of running barefoot.
    I've run barefoot short distances before and want to start working up to longer distances when I can start running again.
  • sabified
    sabified Posts: 1,051 Member
    Options
    They now make "barefoot runners" (I don't know if that's the official name), basically, a very flexible rubber that fits snuggly to the foot (even each toe) and protects your feet from pebbles, glass, slivers, etc but still gives the feel of running barefoot.
    I've run barefoot short distances before and want to start working up to longer distances when I can start running again.


    These are vibram shoes :)
  • PlunderBunneh
    PlunderBunneh Posts: 1,705 Member
    Options
    bumping because I hate shoes.
  • unsuspectingfish
    unsuspectingfish Posts: 1,176 Member
    Options
    I've heard and experienced just the opposite, mostly, with barefoot running helping to reduce or reverse pain. It's generally when people try to do too much too fast that injuries happen. When you've been wearing shoes your whole life, your body isn't ready for that. I have a friend who started out with Nike Frees and is working his way up to Vibrams. That's what I'd recommend.
  • leynak
    leynak Posts: 963 Member
    Options
    bump
  • duqtape
    duqtape Posts: 121 Member
    Options
    Barefoot runner, right here.

    Last summer when I lived in Boise, I ran totally barefoot. There is great book called, you guessed it, Barefoot Running, written by a guy from Boulder CO. I carried my shoes because sometimes, it got too rough. But my feet toughened and I could run on fire roads totally shoe free. I absolutely love it. It is so freeing!

    But this year, I live in Lancaster CA. Its pretty ghetto-ie and I don't trust these sidewalks to be totally barefoot. So I run 95% of the time in Five Fingers. I have an older model, but just got the newer 'running' model. I love them more then the older ones. I almost can't run in shoes anymore. I am barefoot almost all day and when I need shoes, its either flip flops or Chuck Taylors.

    To start running barefoot, there are several things to start with. First, most people have very weak feet. When you start barefoot, or in Five Fingers, start with short distances and finish your run with shoes. In the book they say that 1 barefoot = 3 shoed. So, 1/3 a mile barefoot = 1 mile shoed in terms of strength of your feet and tenderness of your soles. It takes time to work up to miles in the things. But I love it. I will never go back to "get yourself a great pair of running shoes. Go to the running store and have them watch you and recommend a plaster cast made by Asics" *
    *Barefoot running is not for everyone. Some people will never like it and will never do it. That is awesome, too.

    Even in the winter, I run in Five Fingers. The only time I wear shoes is when it's icy and not just snowey. Then I wear a pair cheap simple Asics that have screws in the bottom (google Screw Shoes).*
    *In the summers, I work and travel for the Forest Service. In the winter, I live just outside Boulder CO.

    As for the running shoes I still have? Every once in a while I get the urge to run in shoes. I have a broken a** pair of Saucony's. On those runs, I find I go faster, but at the expense of my HR and pain in my feet and knees. Now I'm not fast to start, but when I run barefoot, the ability to keep my HR in check and go further is almost immediately noticeable.
  • duqtape
    duqtape Posts: 121 Member
    Options
    Now, I have not tried the New Balance Minimus, but a guy who works at this station is an ultra-marathoner who has gone the Five Fingers route recently bought a pair and says they are basically Five Fingers without toes. He likes them, and honestly, he gets less weird looks and questions.
  • Lolamako
    Lolamako Posts: 89 Member
    Options
    I've had two pairs of Vibrams, both wore out with less than 100 miles on them... Horrible design flaws, I've heard that the quality has gone down as the demand has gone up.

    If you buy a pair, buy them from REI where you can return them with REI's lifetime warranty.

    Vibrams are not the only barefoot shoes out there anymore. I'm looking at the Merrell Pace for my next shoe purchase. I heard Brooks is coming out with a minimalist shoe at the end of this year, or beggining of next.

    Search for "minimalist running shoes" and pay attention to the "drop" which a true barefoot shoe will not have. Meaning they are flat from heal to toe, where as a running shoe has a cushioned raised heel that drop to the toe.

    I haven't been injured so far, at least not from running barefoot. But have had foot injuries(from jumping rope, foot getting hit etc) that kept me from running barefoot.
  • ImNotThatBob
    ImNotThatBob Posts: 371 Member
    Options
    [ Tongue In Cheek ] The way I see it, when God created man and woman, he created them 'au naturel'. Later, he ask them about the fig leaves they were using, and then He made them coverings from animal hide. Don't remember there being any mention of shoes. LOL
  • Garrett1234
    Garrett1234 Posts: 147 Member
    Options
    So far so good. I'm into week 2 of the c25K training and legs and feet feel good. I did a little bit of barefoot training for a couple of weeks, walking, light jogs.
  • PlunderBunneh
    PlunderBunneh Posts: 1,705 Member
    Options
    I'm glad to hear so much positive about barefoot running. I went in for ankle issues (I'm pretty sure a mild sprain) and my doctor told me that I should be wearing extremely supportive shoes from the time I wake up til the time I go to bed, and I actually started crying. I really don't like shoes, and that sounds so horrible. Obviously, I didn't take her advice (pretty much gave up on her knowing anything when she suggesting I try the hcg diet).
    I'm on week 4 of C25K, and have been wearing a pair of cheapo running shoes since that appointment (which was at week 2), but only for working out. I'm really hoping that Santa brings me some minimalist running shoes this year, for when I move outside.
    I have some lifelong issues with my plantar fascia, and barefoot has always been more comfortable.
  • leilaphoenix
    leilaphoenix Posts: 839 Member
    Options
    I'm a bareform running convert.

    When I started running I went to the specialist running shop, as recommended and was fitted with some super motion control mega shoes. They hurt my legs, and my feet, and my back when I ran in them - I almost gave up - thinking that running was "just not for me".

    After researching bareform running quite extensively I invested in Merrel Pace Gloves and voila! I can run.

    It took some time to get used to it and to let the shoes force me to run forefoot first. And my calves burned after ever little run/walk but it was a good pain - the kind of "I've worked hard" pain rather than "I'm hurting myself" pain. I'm doing c25k to ease myself into running and now going 2 miles at a time - I will never go back to running in "proper" running shoes. The cushioning just encourages bad form.
  • bassettpig
    bassettpig Posts: 79 Member
    Options
    Try going over to the Runner's World forums and checking out the Barefoot section there. They have a couple of permanent threads sticky'd at the top that give a lot of good info on how to get started.

    You can get hurt, really hurt, if you don't start out easy (recently volunteered w/a guy who has run 22 marathons, a very experienced runner, who apparently thought that exempted him from the "start very slow" rule--he fractured his 2nd metatarsal the 4th time out in his Vibrams--oh, should mention that that 4th run was 12 miles....). Anyway, my point is, I do believe a lot of good can come from running w/less on your foot, but you need to approach it slowly and carefully, paying careful attention to your body.

    Best wishes, and really, do check out that forum; I'm pretty sure you'll find it helpful.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Options
    duqtape post is great

    I too run in vibrams. Can't be stressed enough, start slow. It took me a long time to build up, but the longest I've now gone in them is 10 miles. I've also gotten great wear out of mine, over a hundred miles and not even a hint of wearing out anytime soon. Much of those miles have been on rocky trail too.
    Which brings me to my next point, I've backed off my VFF wearing because of those rocks. My trails just havetoo many small rocks that beat up my feet.

    Good luck.
  • DianaPowerUp
    DianaPowerUp Posts: 518 Member
    Options
    I started walking first with my VFFs, then jogging, and am now running in them. I love them! I find them so much easier to run in than running shoes. In fact, about a wk ago, I tried my nice running shoes again - I could barely run 1/2 the distance I can in my VFFS. The VFFs are so much lighter, like there's nothing on your feet. When I put running shoes on, my feet feel the same as if I tried to type on the keyboard with gloves on.
  • kitinboots
    kitinboots Posts: 589 Member
    Options
    I hiked one of the3 peaks in Yorkshire barefoot for charity 5 years ago. It was amazing, my shoulders were so loose afterwards, I couldn't believe the effect it had!
  • bassettpig
    bassettpig Posts: 79 Member
    Options
    I'd love to hear more about how you use them outside in winter. In what sort of temps/conditions? Don't your feet get FROZEN? Thanks!

    Along this theme; A person doesn't HAVE to spend $$$ for Vibrams to get a simple shoe that lets your foot do its own thing w/o a bunch of "support" and "cushioning"; you can buy cheapo pool shoes/water shoes/whatever name you know them by and they will do the same job for much less. They are also a good option if you have "nonstandard" toes that don't work well w/the VFFs, a problem that I have myself. They are also a GREAT option in places where winters are cold! I bought some Teva Protons a couple years ago for $25 and found that if I wear wool socks inside, I am good even into subzero temps (I live in Wisconsin).

    I do own a pair of VFFs, have had them for about 2-1/2 years now. I don't like to run in them, due to the toe issues I mentioned above, but I have worn them for walking the dogs in all weather that's warm enough. They will likely wear out next summer and I won't replace them, will just keep on w/the pool shoes. Of course, YMMV.

    As far as the pool shoes, you can take a look at Swim Outlet online to get an idea of what's out there and what the prices are.
  • HOSED49
    HOSED49 Posts: 665 Member
    Options
    One of the things I did first to get acclimated to barefoot running was run on the treadmill in socks In an article I read it states that by running barefoot your bodies natural response is to protect the foot, so you dont land heel first, what I experienced with this was my shins were sore for a short period as my body adjusted from prior military heel first foot contact..bought the nike free's and love em! they are so light! My next shoes will be even more minimalist...