Comments on: Barefoot Run #2 – Much Better, But Still Not Sold on Barefoot Running

By: Marty Zaleski

Marty Zaleski — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

If you get the chance to run barefoot on a firm, smooth beach, do it. I went out to Tofino, BC, and got a couple of short runs in on Chesterman’s and Cox Bay at low tide. The absence of a weight on my feet felt amazing, and the surface was free of stones yet firm enough so that it didn’t feel like a slog. The key is to find a firm, smooth beach, not running through loose sand or across a sidehill. Way better than those stupid Newtons – I can’t run at all now because of the hip injury I’d sustained after my first couple of short runs in those torture devices.

By: Lazarus

Lazarus — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I actually haven't tried going completely barefoot yet, mainly because of the reasons you mention. I run with some Feelmax shoes, and even with soles - albeit extremely thin ones - stepping on pebbles is painful.

I'm thinking of having my first barefoot run on the track instead of outdoors.

By: stephaniewallingford

stephaniewallingford — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I too, just finished my second barefoot run. 2.2 miles each time. I need to note that I am NOT a good runner, so I was pretty proud of myself for these runs! I brought flip flops along just in case i ran into dangerous terrain (lots of sticks/pebbles, etc.) but found I didn't need them. I did experience the occasional pesky pebble, but none of them too painful, and they were gone on the following step. I actually expected my first couple times out to be much more painful. What I did notice however was the extreme tightness/soreness on the very top of the calf. I had read that you needed to work into barefoot running slowly, but I thought that was about your feet. I didn't realize it was really about how differently your body accepts the weight and motion when you are barefoot. I am happy to report that my pretty little wide feet are still free of blisters, cuts, or any other surface injury. I haven't tried the vibrams--I've kind of had a mental thing about spending money on something that is designed to replicate nothingness. :-)

By: rick

rick — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

good article, I think running barefoot on grass doing strides is a good way to make feet stronger and improve form but even the born to run tribe wear car tyres on there feet
http://petemagill.blogspot.com…
and every top kenyan runner since the 60’s races in shoes, even cavemen made shoes out of animal skin!
And how many barefoot runners break 3.00 for the marathon ???

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Tuck.

I figured I at least needed to try it - nothing ventured, nothing gained
right? Unfortunately, I think the effort required to toughen my feet up is
not one that I am going to make.

Pete

By: Jimson

Jimson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I am pretty much on board with this. I’ve tried some barefoot runs and on grass I do it a little bit still–did a couple of miles yesterday–but on roads the skin gets very, very chewed up and I could see it taking many months to get to the point I could tolerate any real miles. By then of course the snow is almost here and I’m back to shoes anyway. Not to mention even on trails when I run with my VFF (and I must say I love them in this environment) even still every couple of runs I’ll get a rock stabbing my big toe or something. Not the end of the world but in a way I see shoes like VFF to feet as clothes are to our body; they’re just better. It’s very difficult living in modern society to toughen the feet up to a degree they should be fore barefooting and I’m not going to be evangelical about it as some are, wearing them out to stores and things like that.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to rick.

Rick,

I tend to agree - there's clearly a reason why humans started wearing things
on the soles of their feet, whether it be animal skin, sandals, huaraches,
etc. I also don't see any way that I could run faster barefoot than I do in
shoes if I constantly need to be on the lookout for debris on the ground so
that I don't step on something that's going to hurt. Wearing shoes (and I
prefer them to be minimalist) allows me to enjoy my surroundings more and
worry less about what I might step on.

Pete

By: Jim Haselmaier

Jim Haselmaier — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve found the track (at least the track I go to) much worse than concrete – even with the pebbles. My take is a number of skills need to be learned to run barefoot – and careful scanning with your eyes is one.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to stephaniewallingford.

Stephanie,

Thanks for the comment! The calf soreness is something almost everybody who
does barefoot or Vibram runs experiences. The lack of a cushioned heel
really works you out in a different way than your body is used to. My main
reason for being willing to pay up for the Vibrams is that they offer
protection and do the best job of any shoe out there in actually working
with the real anatomy of your foot.

Pete

By: Buzz2978

Buzz2978 — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I got my Vibram KSO’s about 8 months ago and wore them walking and to the store and out hiking the trails with my dog for a few weeks and then started running in them. After several 2-9 mile runs in them (now for 5+ months) I have recently (November) incorporated barefoot running into my routine. I started with 2 miles, then 3, then 4 and now I just take my Vibrams or my homemade huaraches with me and did 7 miles the other day at a 9:00 pace. I run mostly on clean concrete and asphalt sidewalks and running trails (some are pretty rough) when I am barefoot and have built up to being able to choose from many types of footwear or go without. I recommend starting your runs, 5-10 minutes, barefoot then putting your choice of shoe on and continuing then trek. After a few runs it should be easy to increase the distance and/or time on your barefeet. Although maybe it just isn’t for you in the end! Either way, start your runs on clean, well lighted, hard surfaces that are without pebbles, glass etc…good luck, just don’t give up too soon…it will grow on you…

By: Whotrustedus

Whotrustedus — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to michaelvoigt.

Yikes, what a story! I admire your diligence! I hope I have the same. I did something similar today. see my post here: https://runblogger.com/2010…

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Lazarus.

Grass or a track would be a good choice. Asphalt isn't bad for the
most part, it's just that when you hit a pebble, it really hurts!
Pete

Sent from my iPod