Runners - anyone gone barefoot/minimalist?

BerryH
BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
edited December 19 in Fitness and Exercise
A few of my friends have made the transition to minimalist running shoes and are boasting about having completely shed any injuries, including one who just finished the London Marathon wearing Vibram Five Fingers (the ones with finger-toes).

I'm beginning to ponder whether they are for me too. Not to mention I'm reading Born To Run, which has me dreaming of pounding up mountainous trails like a gazelle wearing nothing but sandals made from old tyres!

Whenever I have a persistent injury, I get my gait checked and get the best new shoes for the way I run. Sometime I'm told the shoes were fine, they're just worn. For weeks I run free of injury then a new niggle will inevitably start.

However, I'm a (nearly) neutral runner with a mid-foot landing and usually go for just cushioning or light support. I'm wondering if I'd benefit from even less.

What makes me doubt minimalism would work for me is I'm subject to plantar fasciitis, and it tends to get worse when I wear completely uncushioned shoes like ballet flats to work. I'm also pretty heavy and can't help thinking that even with careful landing I might end up with a stress fracture or shin splints.

What have been your experiences? I'm broke, so I can't afford to fritter away cash on shoes I'll never wear! And the British weather, dog poo, broken glass and lack of a beach within 50 miles isn't very conducive to going fully barefoot!

Replies

  • tenunderfour
    tenunderfour Posts: 429 Member
    I suffered with chronic shin splints for years! I am an overpronator, heel striker and was wearing stability shoes with orthotic inserts. I switched to Brooks Pure Connects. They are not a barefoot shoe, but a "minimalist" shoe with a low heel drop. I had a little bit of calf pain initially when I switched..... but that faded quickly. My shin pain is GONE! And I'm a mid-foot striker now. I will NEVER go back to regular running shoes. :)

    Oh - and I ran a full marathon about 5 weeks after transitioning to the Brooks - and PR'd!! No issues making the switch to these shoes!
  • sophy28
    sophy28 Posts: 72 Member
    When I started running I had persistent problems with shoes so I started running barefoot on the treadmill, The problems with calf pain I had previously had stopped. The only reason I couldn't carry on like that was because the treadmill was to harsh on the bottom of my feet but every now and then I still like to do half a jog without shoes when I feel the calf pain starting!
  • kindra3434
    kindra3434 Posts: 176 Member
    Im a beggining runner and I have ONLY run barefoot....its the only way I don't feel pain as I learn and ease into running. So it must be good! I plan on buying the glove shoes.
  • Primalgal
    Primalgal Posts: 742 Member
    I am a beginning runner & find I do best with a low heel drop sort of minimalist shoe. I have totally flat feet, but when I wear the "corrective" shoes that were recommended at a running store, my ankles hurt....even with just walking. With the shoes that let my foot do what it does naturally, no pain! I am much heavier than you and though I don't do long distances, I have logged quite a few miles in the past year. My current favorite pair at Saucony Fastwitch5's. Purple with green laces!! ;-)

    Good Luck!

    Lori
  • chuckyp
    chuckyp Posts: 693 Member
    I was having issues with IT Band Syndrome, particularly when I started running trails with lots of downhills that made me heel strike. I switched to New Balance Minimus Trail shoes (MT10) and have had no issues since. I was professionally fitted for my original shoes, which I will still run in on flat pavement, but for trails I'm a minimalist convert. In fact, I'm about to order the new road version of the shoe (MR00) which is truly zero drop. They force you to land midfoot because if you land on your heel you will take a pounding and be reminded of it.

    As I'm sure you've read, start out SLOW. You will feel your run in your calves and achilles tendon are like never before. I have worked up to 10.5 miles as my longest trail run in my minimal shoes, and that's not a bike trail, it's a rough desert trail with sharp rocks and cactus to avoid. I started at distances less than a mile. So far no issues with shin splints or stress fractures.

    Also, I tried some pure barefoot running on asphalt and concrete before. I didn't get to the point where I felt comfortable barefooting on any surface and I would get some hot spots on rough asphalt. Probably because of my less than perfect technique. Concrete and smooth asphalt felt good though. Naysayers will talk about broken glass and whatnot, but honestly unless you're running back alleys in the bad part of town, how much broken glass is there out there? Very little. And if you do run across it you'll do the same thing you do while running in shoes: you'll see it and avoid stepping on it.

    Good luck with it if you try it and make sure to post and let us know how it works out for you!
  • Lotte34
    Lotte34 Posts: 429 Member
    I am a HOPELESS runner, but i do know that if i take my shoes off I can run like the wind
  • therealjanelle
    therealjanelle Posts: 41
    I've only ever run in minimalist style shoes or completely barefoot. I've never had any of the pains that I've heard other runners complain of.

    I'd love to try the Vibram. Does anyone know what size I should buy to fit a women's US 6?
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Inspirational and informative stuff, thanks everyone! I'm definitely keen to give them a try next time I pop into the running shop. I have tried the Vibram toe shoes before but I couldn't even get them on as I have such freakishly shaped feet with teeny tiny toes :blushing:

    Any one else hear the Chariots of Fire theme? :wink:
  • Smuterella
    Smuterella Posts: 1,623 Member
    I'm only half way through C25K but am thinking of changing to barefoot before I get too set into normal running shoes. hmmm, interesting.
  • ChrDG
    ChrDG Posts: 10
    I used to be a heel striker, running with Kayano. For the last 6 years I did not run due to pain in knees, hips, back... I took up running again about 3 months ago with C25K after losing some weight and reaching the "overweight" BMI from above. I was recommended Newton shoes to help me into forefoot/midfoot strike and 180 strides per minute. The Newton are not really minimalist, there is some cushioning under the midfoot, but only 4 mm drop. It works! The gradual transition to the new running form was ensured by C25K (since my endurance was sooo poor there was no risk of overdoing mileage in the beginning). Now I can run pain free. I am only up to 28 minutes, but will slowly increase milage.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    That's a great idea, actually, doing something like C25K again would work well as a transition to the new running style, and perhaps keep up my longer runs in my current shoes at first.
  • Goal_Seeker_1988
    Goal_Seeker_1988 Posts: 1,619 Member
    Very interesting... However, how would one run in a wooded area barefoot without getting their feet cut up or something. I think that would be very painful... I've heard of minimalist and have been interested in tryin the lifestyle but I think I'd be in alot of pain... They have those finger vibes but they are expensive!
  • wombat94
    wombat94 Posts: 352 Member
    I started running in January... weighed 307 pounds at the time. I bought a pair of VFF KSOs because I liked walking on the treadmill barefoot, but it caused blisters on the bottoms of my feet.

    After walking in VFFs for a couple of weeks, I felt so good that I thought I could try running. I haven't had chronic PF, but have had several bad flare ups of it in the last 4 or 5 years... also I was coming off of a bout of tendonitis in my left foot last december.

    Barefoot walking helped with all of that, so I tried C25K.

    The minimalist shoes have made all the difference. With a mid- to fore-foot strike, I'm able to run without any problems from PF... I also have heel spurs in both feet and the don't cause me any problems now either.

    I finished C25K, and now B210K and am up to running 4-6 miles at least three times a week. I've run two 5K races (next one is a week from Saturday) and have a 10K, 10 mile and two half marathons already booked over the next 8 months... all planned to be run in VFFs (now running in SeeYas).

    As you can tell, I'm wholeheartedly in favor of minimalist running shoes... they've changed my life/activity forever. I recommend anyone who is a runner give them a try.

    But, as others have said, if you are already an established runner transition to them slowly. The stresses on your feet are totally different than when running in traditional shoes, and your muscles, tendons and bones need time to gain strength.

    Ted
  • scribb
    scribb Posts: 3,659 Member
    I have been running in my 5 fingers now for over a year and a half, and since wearing them my back and knees feel better.

    I would not go back to "normal" Shoes

    It did take about 3 weeks to get my body use to them.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Wow, I don't think I've seen such a glowing 100% endorsement of ANYTHING here on MFP, I'm sold! At various points I've suffered from nearly all the injuries mention here, so I have great expectations. Roll on pay day!
  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    Yes! Made a huge difference in how I run.
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
    I started running October '11 and wore Vibram KSO.

    I have several different types of minimal and near minimal shoes. I've also done some barefoot running for form guidance. It has worked out for me so far, but I obviously don't know whether I would be faster if I had started with regular shoes.

    Here's a RW guide to barefoot beginners: http://is.gd/YPk6mL

    For regular shoes, the last study I saw said that neutral runners actually did better in stability shoes, and that no one should wear motion control shoes.
  • sammniamii
    sammniamii Posts: 669 Member
    I don't run, but last year both of my feet went "weird" on me, Morton's Nuroma, and normal shoes where very painful. I switched to 24/7 wearing of Vibram's and although the pain is there, it's alot less. It took several weeks of minor pains and aches while my legs, hips & feet got used to them, but now they are second nature. I love feeling where & on what I was walking on.

    I do aim to on day try running - I have back, knee & hip issues (plus my weight) that always made running hurt badly. I'm hoping when my weight gets light enough that I'll be able to start.
  • jlewis2896
    jlewis2896 Posts: 763 Member
    I am a heavy runner for my height.

    I've never really had problems with injury (other than a bout of bursitis from poor stretching), I don't have pronation issues and I land mid-to-forefoot. So I figured I would try out minimalist shoes to see what all the hype was about. I do run on the treadmill barefoot sometimes (only for a few minutes when I am trying to keep my heart rate up between weight sets), so I figured I was a good candidate for some Vibrams.

    I recently purchased Saucony Kinvara 2's, which offer a 4mm drop vs. my normal 12. I have to say that I LOVE the shoes, but after my long runs I have been noticing some slight pain in my arches. I believe if I drop a few pounds this will disappear, but the over-cautious girl in me would say that if you have fasciitis problems, it might be best to ease into barefoot running. Talk to a specialist, possibly.
  • SweatpantsRebellion
    SweatpantsRebellion Posts: 754 Member
    When I got back into running I read up on shoes. I am very prone to shin splints and I'm definitely very overweight. I just completed a 5k training program and am currently in my "bridge week" before I start my half marathon training. I've been running only in minimalist shoes. NOT ONE HINT OF SHIN SPLINTS. Years ago when I was wearing traditional shoes I always had a bout now and then.

    My shoes are zero drop - meaning there is no additional height in the heel. As someone mentioned, if you slip into heel strike form you will know it. I love that I can feel the ground and automatically correct my stride without thinking about it. If you want to go minimalist, I'd recommend a zero drop or near zero drop heel as that will truly put your foot in touch with the ground and reduce risk of injury.

    Good luck!

    Oh...and FYI - I got Merrell pace glove shoes and I think they're great!
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