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Original poster

Barefoot Running

35 replies

C0FFEE · 27/01/2011 10:44

Came across this on the net the other day and wonder if anyone really does go barefoot running.

I go running with my daughter most evenings and while it seems quite fun I wondered if anyone really does it?

Does anyone else go running with their children? Does not seem to happen often.

OP posts:
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GlassofRose · 04/09/2012 19:56

I won a pair of fivefingers... still waiting for them to be delivered. I'll probably look like I'm an extra from Planet of the apes but I'm looking forward to giving this style of running a go

cruickville · 04/09/2012 18:26

Love this thread, thank you. My 5 yr old wants to do a wee jog with me at the weekend so i was thinking about "proper trainers" now i reckon her school plimsoles are the best idea and to get her barefoot as often as she wants.

TryingVeryHard · 18/02/2011 15:54

sorry - no idea why

TryingVeryHard · 18/02/2011 15:53

Ha ha not sure exactly how I would go about charging you

I think we've been designed by nature to be barefoot so absolutely nothing wrong with barefoot running as long as you don't over-do it and hurt yourself. Simples!

Cushioned socks won't get you any more odd looks than Fivefingers - I've seen some pretty violent reactions to mine!

No idea whay not Fivetoes... maybe their marketing department thought fingers sounds better than toes :)

Original poster
C0FFEE · 18/02/2011 14:23

Well I can debate it and say what I think, you can debate it knowing the facts.

Although I did ask a child foot specialist (i forget what the name of the speciality is) and they said that it is quite healthy, cost me £15 that advice.

So as a medic what do you think of barefoot running and how much are you going to charge me for an answer?

Goin buy some of hem cushioned socks I talked about and try it in that. no doubt people will think I am odd but there again wonder what they think of them five finger things

Why are they called five fingers not five toes?

OP posts:
TryingVeryHard · 18/02/2011 09:51

Of course you can argue - nothing like a good old heated debate Wink

Original poster
C0FFEE · 17/02/2011 21:06

Ok so I can't argue with you then :)

.

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TryingVeryHard · 17/02/2011 17:33

I don't sell them , my BIL does, I've got mine from him as presents:)
I am a fan, not because I run but because I used to be a doctor and can totally understand why they are good for you.
And of course I've tried them myself and found them awesome.

RunforFun · 17/02/2011 12:51
Original poster
C0FFEE · 17/02/2011 12:44

TryingVeryHard thank your so kind but I am 5ft and wear childes size shoes usually 1.5s sometimes I can get 2s.

Do you sell them TryingVeryHard?

I have looked at the pics and some have like a tread on them

I uess your a fan of them?

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TryingVeryHard · 16/02/2011 14:11

Coffee, just had a thought, what size are your feet? I have 2 pairs of Vibram Fivefingers, one is size 5 (pre-pregnancy...) one size 6, only worn a couple of times and washed in the washing machine so all clean - would you like to have one of them?

TryingVeryHard · 16/02/2011 13:12

Oh I see, but they do have massive advantages over the cheap stuff, that's why the price difference
They're all about giving your feet great protection but allowing them to move absolutely naturally
They're also designed to let you feel what you're stepping on, and I'm pretty sure there's something about impact too - you might want to do a bit of reading on their site (don't think I'm allowed to go on about them too much :) )

Original poster
C0FFEE · 15/02/2011 20:01

NO TryingVeryHard

I do not see what advantage they give you over ballet shoes that are say £10 instead of £80 or M&S that do flimsy slip on plimsolls for children with a very thin sole, I think they are about £5.

I have not seen them apart from on pics but how much protection do they give?

Used to do gymnastics in my teens so very used t o landing on hard surfaces barefoot but not done so for ages

OP posts:
TryingVeryHard · 15/02/2011 17:13

Coffee, may I ask if you have considered the Vibram Fivefingers? did you not think they could help?
I hear they are just about to bring in kids sizes too!
www.primallifestyle.com

Original poster
C0FFEE · 15/02/2011 17:12

Reposting after editing...

I do not mind the cold or walking barefoot even if it is around 0C but running hurts after a short while. I shall try it again, maybe tonight.

DD can play netball barefoot on our pebble drive without bother

Got stopped the other day in the park by someone I did not know and warned not to let DD go without shoes as worms from dog mess will infest her body and blind her!

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thecoo · 15/02/2011 17:03

I've run twice in my Vivo Barefoot shoes now. The first time I ran 2km and my calves really felt it. I was sooooo stiff afterwards and couldn't run at all for 3-4 days, even with my usual running shoes, so I think I overdid it a bit. It felt weird, as I'm usually a heel striker.

But I went out again yesterday in them and ran about 2.5km with no problem. No stiffness today either. I think I'm just going to have to ease into it very slowly and mix it up with my normal shoes, but hopefully by the summer I'll be used to the different style and can try proper barefoot running.

Steps101 and Ullainga - did you have much trouble adapting to barefoot? Did you ease into it or just swap straight over?

Original poster
C0FFEE · 15/02/2011 15:28

I do not mind the cold or walking barefoot even if it is around 0C shoes but running hurts after a short while. I shall try it again, maybe tonight.

DD can play netball barefoot on our pebble drive without bother

Stopped the other day in the park by someone we did not know and warned not to let DD go without shoes as worms from dog mess will infest her body and blind her!

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steps101 · 15/02/2011 01:15

I'm also a bit freaked out by all these people who live in ares littered with shattered glass and dog shit - I live in one of the rougher areas of Oxford and I've never stepped in either!

steps101 · 15/02/2011 01:12

I should add that although I love my Vibrams and I am very grateful that they've made it possible for me to run in the winter, I can't wait for the spring when it will be possible for me to run barefoot again - there's nothing like it :)

ullainga · 14/02/2011 14:04

I have Vibrams too and love them. They have totally changed my running style from heel strike to landing mid-foot.

steps101 · 13/02/2011 20:22

I've been running barefoot for a year and a half and I love it.

I do not run on grass - you can't see how uneven grassy ground is and you can't see stones, sticks and glass, so I steer clear of it and only run on the pavement/road. I have never stepped on glass running barefoot and I've never had any injuries (I never had any injuries running shod, though).

I have tried really hard to run barefoot during the winter but I just can't, even with good thermal tights & good layering on top. I think the problem for me is not so much the cold as the wet: I find it really uncomfortable. I have a pair of Vibram Five Fingers now and even though they are hideous, I have to admit that I love them. I refused to buy them myself because I thought they were just an expensive gimmick, but my best friend got them for me for Christmas and I am converted! :)

Original poster
C0FFEE · 07/02/2011 11:19

When out shopping or for example in a restaurant yesterday most people do not seem to care that DD is barefoot but when I posted on MN that she went into Tescos without shoes I got hassle and that it was January.

I actually got in touch with a child foot specialist to find out if there are any medical reasons that would make it a not a good idea for her to go around barefoot or go running without her shoes and the reply was no

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thecoo · 07/02/2011 09:08

That's great - the more I read the more I'm becoming convinced that children (and others) should be barefoot as much as possible.

I wish I didn't care what other people think, but I do tend to be self-conscious. Will try to be braver!!!

Original poster
C0FFEE · 06/02/2011 21:06

She is 9 thecoo and really happy running barefoot. she has hardly worn shoes this last week.

I do not care what other people think!

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thecoo · 05/02/2011 21:44

The guy who wrote the book I mentioned, Born to Run, wears these (the Vibram fivefingers).

Re OP I forgot to say that sometimes my son (10yrs) comes with me on shorter runs. How old is your daughter?