Sorry to hear it Robert. I ran a full mile barefoot on concrete in Boulder, and went really well. Just two hot spots at the bases of my big toes. The rest of my soles seem to be pretty rugged, maybe from being barefoot most of the summer around the house/yard.

Pete,

I agree with Tim that barefoot running is the ultimate form tool. If/when you get another chance to head out for another go, I think you’ll find that there is a noticeable difference in your running form between the two – being barefoot causes you to run that much more gently and keeps you from doing too much too soon. However, as someone who gets along well enough in the Vibrams et al, you’re probably not terribly moved by that argument.

I made the switch not due to nagging injuries but in an effort to find a more natural and enjoyable way to run. I have found that while running in VFFs is a whole experience unto itself coming from a traditional shoe, being completely barefoot is the pinnacle of that experience for two reasons:

1)The amount of feedback is exponentially higher, which under proper barefoot running conditions can relax you and heighten your awareness that much more. All of the feelings of liberation and effortlessness that come with a more natural running stride are enhanced.
2) Running on pavement you are absolutely and completely silent. This is something you don’t really think about until you try it. It’s exceptionally calming, and that whole “being in tune with the ground and your environment” thing achieves a whole ‘nother level.

There are still those little “ow” moments with the occasional annoying pebble, but those tend to subside when your feet have toughened up and you’ve learned to relax your foot against the terrain instead of tensing up and fighting it. In any case, if you love running “minimalist” then by all means stay with it. It’s just important to note that under the right conditions running barefoot can enhance almost of the things you love about minimalism, and that with enough running “the right conditions” category expands significantly. Apologies if I’ve waxed a bit long here.

Andy

My guess is that increased epidermal thickening reduces sensory input to the
foot. You ripped off the epidermis, so your sensory receptors at the base of
the epidermis and down in the dermis are now closer to the surface, hence
the increased tactile response. As you build the epidermal layer back up,
the sensory response will decrease I suppose.

Bruce,

Tough up here in winter, isn’t it. Thanks for the feedback!

Pete

Sent from my iPod

This is why even a seasoned barefoot runner will wear Vibrams or something for cold and wet environments. Saying you tried barefoot running after that experience is like jumping off a boat at sea in a storm and saying that you tried swimming without a lifejacket for the first time and it just wasn’t for you.

I think part of what motivates the real purists in the barefoot community is a belief that natural is always better. There is at least some merit to this general position; there are indeed numerous examples in which we humans have interfered with nature without really understanding it by doing things that have proven counterproductive and sometimes outright destructive. But I reject the idea that nature cannot be improved upon as a universal rule. After all, it is completely natural to have a head full of lice and a body riddled with all kinds of chronic infections and parasitic infestations. I’m sure we’d agree that ridding ourselves of these things very natural things represents an improvement over what would otherwise be a common, natural state of affairs.

And on that note, I’d remind shoeless barefoot runners that diseases like tetanus live in soil, and depending on where you live, so do lots of other parasites that are capable of infecting you through any open wound on your foot. As pointed out in this article, there really is a good reason why humans the world over have, independently of one another, converged on some kind of foot protection as a worthwhile investment.

The Vibrams protect you from slight twisting or sliding motions you could feel if barefoot. The closest I could get with my Vibrams is by paying close attention to the sound of my feet landing and trying to notice any noise of the rubber on the pavement. While Vibrams are much better at providing feedback than regular shoes, going fully barefoot when conditions allow lets you dial in your form that much better. While going fully barefoot is admirable, I have heard of many people using barefoot training for just that purpose, as a training tool to dial in their form for when they use some kind of footwear.

This post reminded me of a tag line I had read elsewhere: If at first you don’t succeed, sky diving is not for you. Thankfully, when going barefoot, you get to made adjustments and try again.

Geez  ‘o pete, my epidermal layer has barely thickened in the 4 months since i ripped them off.  i’ve been working diligently on stressing m soles to build it back up but is barely happening.  the balls of feet still seem baby soft.   the human body can heal quickly but this is one area is taking it’s merry time.