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Switching from runners to barefoot?

post #1 of 61
11/30/09 at 7:06am
Thread Starter 
Interested whether anyone has thrown away their runners and opted for barefoot running?

What type of surface do you run on?
How did you make the change?
How long do you run for?
Do you suffer less injury?
Did the DOMs change?
Do you feel you can run longer distances and faster?

Any other tips or description of experiences appreciated

Thanks
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post #2 of 61
11/30/09 at 11:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Star View Post
Interested whether anyone has thrown away their runners and opted for barefoot running?

What type of surface do you run on?
How did you make the change?
How long do you run for?
Do you suffer less injury?
Did the DOMs change?
Do you feel you can run longer distances and faster?

Any other tips or description of experiences appreciated

Thanks
I haven't done this myself but I saw a guy in Boston running along the sidewalks and streets barefoot. He had a good pace and seemed to be running in comfort.
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post #3 of 61
11/30/09 at 3:47pm
After reading Born to Run and a few articles on barefoot running in the NYTimes, I went out and bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and run in them once a week for training purposes. In the month or so I've been using them they have felt great, but I have not given up my running shoes.

To answer your questions:

What type of surface do you run on? Streets of NYC
How did you make the change? By running in Vibram Five Fingers
How long do you run for? 4-6 miles
Do you suffer less injury? N/A
Did the DOMs change? No more soreness than when wearing running shoes
Do you feel you can run longer distances and faster? I run the same loop that I run with running shoes on, so not sure.
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post #4 of 61
11/30/09 at 4:08pm
i need to try this.

How much do these Vibram fingers cost?
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post #5 of 61
11/30/09 at 5:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by feynmix View Post
i need to try this.

How much do these Vibram fingers cost?

About $80.
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post #6 of 61
11/30/09 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mylesmyles View Post
After reading Born to Run and a few articles on barefoot running in the NYTimes, I went out and bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and run in them once a week for training purposes. In the month or so I've been using them they have felt great, but I have not given up my running shoes.

To answer your questions:

What type of surface do you run on? Streets of NYC
How did you make the change? By running in Vibram Five Fingers
How long do you run for? 4-6 miles
Do you suffer less injury? N/A
Did the DOMs change? No more soreness than when wearing running shoes
Do you feel you can run longer distances and faster? I run the same loop that I run with running shoes on, so not sure.

Yes I am reading Born To Run too as I type. Great read.

Did you go straight to the FiveFingers or did you ease yourself into them and away from the runners? My concern would be going straight from a soft pair of Asics to the five fingers and getting injured. I think this is mentioned in the book.
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post #7 of 61
11/30/09 at 7:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Star View Post
Yes I am reading Born To Run too as I type. Great read.

Did you go straight to the FiveFingers or did you ease yourself into them and away from the runners? My concern would be going straight from a soft pair of Asics to the five fingers and getting injured. I think this is mentioned in the book.

I started with a few shorter runs but quickly built up to my 4-6 mile loop. I don't go any further in them at this point, though I would feel comfortable doing so. There was no real transition other than the shorter runs.

I still run in my Saucony's the rest of the time and for races, but I do find going for a run a week with the Five fingers does add some strength to my feet and lower legs. Wearing them has also improved my stride and technique.
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post #8 of 61
11/30/09 at 7:43pm
I'd also recommend trying Vibrams. It will likely take a little time to build up your muscles in feet and legs to handle not running in typical running shoes. You will also probably need to move to a more forward or mid-foot strike rather than a heel strike. But if you start slow and give your body time to adjust, I think you will appreciate the change.
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post #9 of 61
11/30/09 at 8:53pm
I found that the change in where my foot struck occurred in the first 20 minutes of the first run.
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post #10 of 61
12/1/09 at 6:28am
Just wondering, isn't the main issue here the running technique more so than the shoes? That is when you're running you should be landing more so on the forefoot with much less heel-touch (I doubt that's the proper terminology)? For example, if you ran this way in regular running shoes, you'd be on your way to healthier joints?
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post #11 of 61
12/1/09 at 6:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Becks23 View Post
Just wondering, isn't the main issue here the running technique more so than the shoes?

That is when you're running you should be landing more so on the forefoot with much less heel-touch (I doubt that's the proper terminology)? For example, if you ran this way in regular running shoes, you'd be on your way to healthier joints?

There is a school of thought that runners and their cushioning are based on a floored design concept that favours heel strike. The five fingers or barefoot is meant to make it easier to revert back to striking and rolling on the forefoot.

I am no expert hence my OP.
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post #12 of 61
12/1/09 at 4:16pm
I currently run in Vibram Fivefingers and absolutely love them. Running shoes compensate for bad form by allowing you to heel strike without feeling the effects on your knees. My recommendation is to take a look at POSE running before you jump right into barefoot. Running barefoot will correct your form much quicker than than trying to perfect the POSE style but your calves and feet will hate you if you run anything more than 1/4 mile on your first barefoot run. I would recommend looking into a shoe that doesn't have any support (most pumas) and start running in those before making the transition to barefoot or fivefingers if you really decide it's necessary. If I could do it again, I would have gotten a pair of pumas just to avoid the attention you get when running in fivefingers. I've been stopped many times and asked what kind of shoes I'm wearing and why I'm wearing them.
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post #13 of 61
12/2/09 at 2:29am
I jumped straight from regular runners to VFFs. I didn't find there was any learning curve to it, beyond the 20 minutes I already mentioned, and I instantly could run further. I wonder if this is at all related to the fact that as a Canadian I walk around barefoot/socked in the house though, so maybe my feet are more used to it?

People occasionally look at my feet but I don't mind people checking me out.
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post #14 of 61
12/2/09 at 2:38am
I've run barefoot, no vibrams, on a track before. It felt great and it really makes running on the tips of your feet easier and feel better, but it started to burn as I would run, and especially as I would slow down from my sprints. I'd love some five fingers, but I just don't run enough to justify them.
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post #15 of 61
12/2/09 at 3:44am
I switched to VFFs a year ago and have never looked back. What I found is that my calves started to tire alot quicker when I started, but now they are like steel. I do get alot of looks, and one guy even took a picture.
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