Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

[TimK]

I got into it by reading "Born to Run". I'm 44, 185#, and have run with significant knee pain for 20 years. Since going barefoot (actually, wearing Vibram Five Fingers) I can now run as long as I care to with no knee pain. Zero,zip, nada, none. It took some time to get the calves toned up and the feet squared away, but it's essentially a miracle for a guy like me.

I get most of my cardio from Crossfit and only generally run to burn some extra calories, so I'm not really a dedicated runner. Still, I ran a lifetime personal best 5K a week ago...barefoot.

Anyone else?

 

[DMann]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

I am working on it. Haven't read BTR yet, but have read articles by McDougal and Barefoot Ted. I have switched to a Brooks Mach 11 spikeless cross country competition shoe that has a neutral sole - i.e., no heel. Been looking at some VFF KSO's and some of Barefoot Ted's running huaraches/Luna Sandals.

My biggest issue right now is occasional cramping in my hamstrings and soleus muscles - probably inadequate stretching and need to take supplements. Still, I am making progress.

I am 50 and right at 170# - was a runner for years then started having numbness in my legs - discovered disc compression at L5/S1. Stopped exercising for a year or two and did chiropractic. Been doing Crossfit for two plus years now.

 

[Dagsta]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Tim I tried running in the Vibram 5 fingers, my feet and ankles continued to hurt. My college buddy who is the Saints Orthepedic say's it ain't good for ya. I quit and went back to good running shoes and I've had no problems.

I'm not a real runner though, I only do 1 to 2 miles at a time before lifting.

 

[TimK]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dagsta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tim I tried running in the Vibram 5 fingers, my feet and ankles continued to hurt. My college buddy who is the Saints Orthepedic say's it ain't good for ya. I quit and went back to good running shoes and I've had no problems.

I'm not a real runner though, I only do 1 to 2 miles at a time before lifting. </div></div>

It's probably not for everyone, and I did discover that you have to run with the correct natural gait or you'll have issues. Once I found the right form for me, it's pain free. In my case, I did blow up my right calf a couple of times before I got it right.

 

[Dagsta]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

However I have two pairs of the Vibram's and I love knockin around in them!! My feet actually feel great after walking and wearing them, just couldn't run in them!

 

[BKS]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Vibrams are great for lifting too! Squats, deads, cleans, snatch...anything done while on your feet since they give you great stability. And they are pretty much taylor made for crossfit style workouts. Just be ready for people to stare at your feet.

 

[scatsob]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Would the OP mind elaborating on the knee pain barefoot running fixed? I had an ACL redone in one knee and now it hurts to run for extended periods of time, and I am forced to for my military PFA's. It would by great to train by running again, right now I only bike.

 

[tuckner]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Update on my experience. Developed plantar fasciitis. Probably from using the Vibrams too much too quickly. Stopped entirely until I can heal if I ever do. Painful first steps if I haven't walked in the last couple hours or so, especially in the morning.

 

[DMann]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Ditto on the plantar fasciitis, but BTDT with regular shoes too. Ice whenever you can and Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium will help. Stretch..., a lot. Soaking in warm epsom salts is also good.

 

[Tommy5.56]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Another Vibram Five Fingers runner here

. 5 miles every morning and loving it since the 1st day it arrived.

 

[Tribe]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

I like to run. 39, 6'2", 220 - 230 (depending on how much I'm running).... got to where I was running up to 10 miles on a regular basis... got severe plantar fasciitis.... took me nearly a year to get my feet back....

Once I was able to run again, i began slow and anxious... dealt with all of the usual aches and pains from feet to ankles, knees, etc.... but no "injuries". Stumbled on the whole barefoot thing.

Long and short... ordered some Vibrams, started running in them, and in very short order, I felt fantastic. I felt like I could run forever... I would finish my usual course, and turn around and do it again. However, a few weeks in, I felt a mild pain in the top center of my foot. Ignored it. My next run, about a mile in, I was hobbled. Had to one-foot it home. Got a stress fracture in my foot, that took me over two months to heal.

Summation.... it's a very cool concept, and I believe it works... just GO SLOW... too much, too fast, and you will be screwed... and it's tough, because it's tempting... like a new toy.... hard to put down.

I'm running in regular shoes again right now (been healthy for about a month). I want to go back.... not sure I have the courage.... or lack of sense to do so.

FWIW

 

[Only10x]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

good to know. thought about the five finger shoes for running though never read of the drawbacks, though it makes sense.
craw before you walk, walk before you run.

 

[tuckner]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Yes, I jumped in head first. Crawl, walk, run for sure. If you think you can handle a certain load with them, cut it in half or down to a quarter and set a time before you up it, like 3 months of use and no problems, then add more. I know they are beneficial but my weak foot structure couldn't handle what I thought I could and I am paying for it now.

 

[Emilio]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

I started running about a year and a half ago. My friend told me about the barefoot running but I didn't know about the 5 toe shoes at the time. I ended up using Nike Free 5.0. These look like a traditional shoe but give you more of a barefoot feel. It made it a lot easier and pain free when I switched to them.

 

[Ghillie Zen]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Been using five fingers (kso) for about a year and a half now. I use them for running and lifting. Tried them with grappling, but didn't work so well. Have used them with my dive fins too.

Great shoes, but not so durable. I'm going to have to replace mine pretty soon. Wear is really starting to show. It looks like the newer models coming out may be more toughly built.

I've been wearing wrestling shoes for working out and running since highschool, so there really wasn't any break-in period for wearing the fivefingers. If your someone who likes that moccassin-type feel, the vibrams are worth taking a look at.

 

[Deerhunter]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Been in martial arts my whole life, so I been jumping around barefoot like a monkey my whole life. Always hated wearing running shoes and used to get alot of shin splints. Found the vibram five fingers and holy *&%&, feel like a ninja wearing these. If youve been wearing shoes your whole life, allow your body to build all the little muscles and stregthen all the ligaments SLOWLY before abusing them. Even the pads of your feet will get thicker, lol like a dogs paws. Make a long story short, I LOVE THEM. Highly reccomend them. I try to wear them everywhere.

I would get the kso trek. The leather is better then the other material and dont look dumb wearing them with jeans.

 

[blksno]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

i really really REALLY want to pick up a pair of Vibrams but havent taken the dive yet. Maybe a christmas present to myself.
I kind of wish they made a hunting version. Sort of the age old Indian stalker moccasin style. Maybe with a sleeve that went up to the high calf with a sole that was cactus/sandbur proof. I'd love to try them for open prairie stalking and such. I hate dragging heavy boots around when its not cold/wet/muddy.

 

[JimT]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

I tried the Five Fingers KSO Trek. They tore up my feet when running. The balls of my feet were one big hotspot. They are okay for wearing around the house but no running for me. The socks have toes that are way too short. I think I am the lone dissenter, based on the reviews I have seen on the web. YMMV.

 

[DMann]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Here you go Sea Bass: http://www.catskill-moc.com/

A pair of these is also on My List.

 

[blksno]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DMann</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here you go Sea Bass: http://www.catskill-moc.com/

A pair of these is also on My List. </div></div>

nice, i wonder if instead of building a custom pair, they could just add the leggings to a pair of the 5Fingers. might have to check on this

 

[TimK]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

OP here. Someone asked about the knee pain that is now gone. I have the thing where your kneecap tracks off to one side, plus general crunchiness and soreness. I've had no surgeries. My pain was front of the knee, just under and behind the kneecap.

As far as working into running barefoot, the key is to start slowly. Like many, I went out too fast and injured a calf. It's all healed up now, but I still increase my mileage slowly. I also know to stop at the first sign of pain.

My wife is about to start, and I've recommended to her that she run no more than 1/4 mile a day for at least two weeks, then add 1/4 mile every two weeks until she is up to her usual mileage. She'll do it on a treadmill, so it's not too inconvenient to run for 3 minutes and then change shoes.

The general consensus on websites dedicated to this sort of thing is that it should take anywhere from 6-18 months to work up to your usual mileage. I think the low end of that is about right, but I had strong feet to begin with.

 

[benchmstr]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

i drove to whataburger this morning barefoot...

bench

 

[trailmudder]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

I have been a ultramarathon runner for years , and the shoe of choice is Inov8 . They are a very light weight , minamalist shoe , the closely mimick barefoot running .

 

[AMOK!]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

C_bass 16,

Recommend you try a pair of USN diver "coral boots.". We use to wear these these "on the side" and in Zodiacs. A $20 alternative solution to the custom, uber-expensive, moccasins
a la 'The Hunted.'

Lightweight and highly-portable w/ a Dry Earth style pattern on the canvas.

PM me for additional details

 

[westford86]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

I've always hated running because of shin splints. Earlier this year I decided to take up running. After few weeks of just suffering through them, they finally went away. Every now and the shin splints do come back... Since I've started running the barefoot thing has interested me. I was able to try it once when I while on the beach, what resulted was a giant blood blister on my toe. I sort of guessed something like that would happen; what I am wondering is, what's the best way to toughen up your feet for barefoot running if you don't already have hippie feet? Also where do you guys go barefoot running? Because of work I spend half my time in cities, and I don't think it's a good idea to run around roads or sidewalks strewn with crap from drunks and hobos, not to mention dog shit and what ever else you might find...

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

I walk barefoot to any place I can - I wear flip flops into stores and then barefoot again.

But running - bad for the feet.

I have knee pain too though when I run, so I don't. Running is not good for your joints, but it is good cardio.

 

[rero360]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

I bought a pair of the VFF KSOs about a few months ago, started slowly, ran about a quarter of a mile in them at a slow pace, developed a blister on the bottom of my big toe on my right foot, took care of it and kept going, worked my way up to running 1.7 miles in them, actually got up to a pretty decent pace as well but I still would get a hot spot on my big toe.

My achelles tendons were sore as can be after running in them as well but that started to improve as well. I haven't ran in them in about 3 weeks now, gave myself a week to recover from the last PT test I took (knocked a full minute off my run) and it has turned into two weeks, I'll have to get back out there this week and get back into the routine.

 

[Heimdall]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

I can run faster barefoot than I can with shoes or boots, but I mainly sprint like that Ive never tried a distance run. Gonna have to one of these days.

 

[vman]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

Holy crap i dont know if this product will be any good for me but im willing to try!

Never even heard of this product.

By the end of 2009 I would run about 4km every day, and by about March 2010 i was running about 6.5km before I would start to feel tightness and burning in my calf muscles.

Also managed to squeeze in a few 15km runs as well.

Lately the pain has been pretty bad in my calf muscles and im starting to feel pins and needles in my feet.

Also shin splints are a problem from time to time.

 

[Lonestar2436]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

I made some running sandals. Tried running in them but could not get used to them, the Nike Free are great, although they are more of a sneaker.

 

[vman]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

trailmudder, got any hints or tips for a runner that gets sore sore feet, pins and needles in the feet and very tight calf muscles?

Its what stops me from keeping on

 

[TimK]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">trailmudder, got any hints or tips for a runner that gets sore sore feet, pins and needles in the feet and very tight calf muscles?

Its what stops me from keeping on

</div></div>

Tight calf muscles are a sign that your stride is not right. You are landing too much on your front foot, so your calves take all your weight. Try an experiment. Run barefoot with a full heel strike. Now, allow your knees to do all the cushioning of your landing. This is the other extreme to landing with all your weight on your front foot. Once you have the feel of that, try balancing the two so you land nearly flat footed, taking the impact with both you calves and knees.

Once you get it, it feels extremely natural. Also, I can adjust my stride in mid run based on what is hurting. If my calves are getting tight after running up a long steep hill, I take more of the shock with "soft knees". If my knees are sore, I'll bias towards the front foot to give them a break. Generally, I can find a stride that just feels natural with no pain anywhere.

I have no experience with your other symptoms.

 

[vman]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

You know what Tim, ive been thinking the same thing mate...

Going to start going bare foot soon.

These ASIC's Keyano gels im wearing almost make me feel like i land on the front.

 

[trailmudder]

Re: Any minimalist or barefoot runners here?

As simple as sounds , you might have your shoes laced to tight , as for the tight calves you may want to try more of a heal strike running as Tim K stated . Hope this helps .<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">trailmudder, got any hints or tips for a runner that gets sore sore feet, pins and needles in the feet and very tight calf muscles?

Its what stops me from keeping on

</div></div>