I just started c25k, I've done two weeks of week 1. I repeated week 1 because since I am doing "barefoot" running I didn't want to push myself too much since from all the reading I've done you need to be careful when adjusting to the barefoot style. I have started with a pair of minimalist shoes - the Merrell Barefoot Pace Glove. The first week my calves killed me from the barefoot style! But they've adjusted. I just purchased a pair of the Bikila FiveFingers. I wore them just around yesterday for a few hours and could really feel it later in my right foot (which overpronates more than my left). They definitely work those muscles!

I decided to try minimalist/barefoot running because I had heard and read so much about how such runners are injured less. I had never tries running before because I was always afraid of the injuries you hear about, even just shin splints. So far I'm happy with it and I'm looking forward to running in my FiveFingers once I get more used to them (weather permitting).

emma - I wonder if your heel was hurting because you were striking with your heel? From what I have read when you try barefoot running you really need to be aware of your strike and hit with a mid or forefoot strike, which is supposedly more natural, otherwise you risk injuring your heel. Have you read that as well?

I just purchased a pair of the Bikila FiveFingers. I wore them just around yesterday for a few hours and could really feel it later in my right foot (which overpronates more than my left). They definitely work those muscles!

I decided to try minimalist/barefoot running because I had heard and read so much about how such runners are injured less. I had never tries running before because I was always afraid of the injuries you hear about, even just shin splints. So far I'm happy with it and I'm looking forward to running in my FiveFingers once I get more used to them (weather permitting).

Let me know how they work out for you, my next door neighbor bought some for her kid (I think they're off brand) and they gave him blisters between the toes. Again, I think they're off brand. I've gotten plenty of blisters from hiking 20+ miles with a 70lb pack. I'm not looking forward to getting them again - months of dealing with toe nails falling off/growing back (yuck! was that TMI?) due to huge blisters. I also have plantar faciitis and I've read a couple success stories from having those shoes

I started running last year in nike frees (OPPOSITE OF BAREFOOT), it was okay. Last summer I was out 4wheeling and ended up barefoot and thought man this is the best! shortly after I got myself some VFF's and things just progressed from there. I started reading about the benefits of barefoot running but I could not for the life of me get my stride right in the VFFs, then I bought the merrell trail gloves, they were better but i really should have gotten a larger size, then came the NB trail minimus, which are my current running shoes but now that drier weather has FINALLY returned to the northwest I'm back to being barefoot

I've gotten in 3 barefoot runs so far this year, first was .8 mile, second was 1 mile which resulted in a blister on the front pad of my foot on the side behind my big toe and a gnarly blood blister on the end of my toe next to my big toe (other foot though), on tuesday i ran in my shoes and compression cuffs and my legs were KILLING ME!!! so i shed all that gear went out and did another mile barefoot and bare legged and it was noticeabley better... maybe because i was already warmed up but maybe because i was running the way i was meant to.

I'm planning to continue my short barefoot runs maybe not to be a barefoot marathoner but maybe to train my body in the correct way to run so that when i do have my shoes on i can run better.

I do notice w/o shoes my stride instantly changes and its not something i can recreate in any of the minimalist shoes i've tried.

Also, I've only ran on pavement so far, paranoid about running in grass where sharp things may be out of site. I get a lot of people asking what about rocks/glass/etc... my answer "well you have these things called eyes... you just look for the glass and then don't step on it" its been working pretty good for me so far!!

good luck all my barefoot friends!

Wow, this is really cool stuff!

I'm into my first couple weeks of barefoot running and so far I love it! I've been walking around barefoot whenever I could get away with it my whole life but I never really considered extending that to running till I read the book Barefoot Running. I figured I had nothing to lose as I've been plagued by weak ankles, shin splints, hip problems, and other problems whenever I try to train regularly. And the shoes weren't helping-- I had 4 different pairs in three years, all expensive and ineffective at reducing my injuries-- so far I love it! I'm always smiling when I run, and no injuries so far beyond tender skin and some soreness the first time.

A few weeks ago my plan was to run a half marathon in 2013, but I think I'm going to revise that to a barefoot race, but perhaps just a 5K or 10K. I still need to decide whether I want to get minimalist shoes though, I saw some neoprene moccasins that look like what I'm searching for, as they're not really shoes, more like tear resistant insulated socks. Plus they're half the price of VFF's, a definite factor for this rising college student

I switched to VFFs in the fall of 2009 because I was having IT band issues running in the stability shoes that the running store put me in. I have done a few halves and one full marathon in the VFFs. I went full barefoot over a year ago and I'm now in training for my first barefoot half in April.

For me it wasn't about toughening up the skin to prevent blisters, but adjusting my running form. It took me many months (albeit, I wasn't running regularly) to get my form to where I now feel comfortable doing over 3 miles.

I tried to run in NB crosstraining shoes that they said were designed for my feet complete with orthotic inserts. It felt like I have lead on my feet and my feet, legs, and even hips hurt after running for less than a quarter mile.

I bought a pair of Vibram Bikila LS based on a recommendation of a local businessman and the day they arrived I went out for an evening run and they felt great. I have now worn the Vibrams for runs up to about 6 miles and while I went through a period of shin and knee pain, it's been gone for the past several months.

I recently bought a paid of Merrell Trail Gloves and while I like them, I love the Vibrams. I am planning on buying a pair of VIbram Lontras next.

3.1 miles yesterday..........it was good

3 miles today

1.5 miles today

2 miles today

5K on Sat
Personal best time