Barefoot running

[Howard]

Very, very sore today from sprinting on a grass field yesterday.

 

[brikis98]

I started wearing Vibram FiveFingers (KSO) and using the POSE method a few months ago and am enjoying it. It's not exactly barefoot running, but pretty close. If you've been running in shoes all your life, you would probably have to re-learn running technique - such as landing mid-foot instead of on your heel - to be able to go barefoot. It takes a long time to get used to it and you have to build up to it gradually, so it's not surprising that you're sore (of course, lots of sprinting can make you sore too). Check out POSE, barefootrunner.com, and runningbarefoot.org for more info.

 

[imported_Imp]

I've done it on a treadmill (thing was cheap, so very little cushioning). I landed pretty close to the front of my foot, as opposed to mid-foot when I have shoes on. It's nice, but not something I'd do outdoors.

 

[silverpig]

I run in VFFs exclusively now. I really like it. I run mostly on sidewalks and roads and have no cushioning problems whatsoever. I have adapted my stride and it now feels very natural to run this way. The first time I ran in them I did 2 miles and my calves became so sore I wasn't walking right for 3 days. My calf muscles have now built up and it is quite comfortable.

 

[SWScorch]

I run a few miles barefoot every week. I too feel that running barefoot is very beneficial in that it teaches you to run correctly; the way we were meant to run. Shoes enable us to become heel-strikers, which is not how our bodies are made to run. I still run in running shoes because I run pretty high mileage, and it would take me a very long time to start over entirely barefoot or with the Vibrams so I just make sure to jog a few miles a week barefoot around some soccer fields to supplement my usual running.

 

[kotss]

I started last year in April with "solely" running in VFF's and an occasional barefoot run. I ran about 1 mile per day for the first 6 days. The 7th day I had to rest as it was painful to walk up stairs, my calves were so sore. After that the soreness was diminishing. By the end of May I was running in a 5K with about a minute off my time. By the end of July I had elimiated the minute difference. I did prefer running that way. I went too far with correcting running form though. I also tried to correct what I thought was an overpronation problem. I caused a stress fracture. After 5 weeks of not running (I did alot of swimming), I again took up running in the VFF's. I am too chicken to go barefoot on the roads. It hurts like hell at first, especially little stones on the pads of the feet. I just refuse too go through that. I have done barefoot on a golf course and that is awesome. I only quit running in VFF's because of the cold winter. I try as much as is possible to run on the midfoot when running in sneakers. I am getting back to wearing the VFF's for runs and can easily go 7-8 miles 2-4 times a week. I think I like this compromise best, I keep the strengthening of barefoot and the not caring about running on pavement with sneakers or VFF's.

Running barerfoot style takes alot of practice and you may never get it perfect, but you will find those moments when you just know that you did it right. I think everyone should give it a try, hell you were not born with shoes on your feet.

Running in sneakers does not necessarily mean you will heel strike, it just makes the potential for doing it easier. Running barefoot or in a shoe like the Vibram Five Finger lets you know immediately what a bad idea heel striking is. (This should be a good idea of why you should not do it even with sneakers.)