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Original poster

Any barefoot runners out there??

19 replies

thelittlebluepills · 10/10/2010 21:08

Have been reading "born to run" after particularly annoying bout of shin splints - which have only cleared up after I totally ignored physio advice and worked out the solution myself

I was interested to read about the barefoot technique being less likely to result in injury. is this true? how did you go about becoming a barefoot runner? do people give you very odd looks?

OP posts:

xAshx · 12/10/2010 21:11

Am also interested in this and can't wait until my friend goes on a course about this in a couple of weeks. Excited that she can show me (she's a trainer), as am hoping once I've got it sussed it'll ease pressure on my dodgy knee..

You can get those funny 5 toe shoes to stop your feet getting torn up. Also believe that there's quite a few "flat" running shoes out there too.

cestlavie · 15/10/2010 16:52

'Tis interesting - was also inspired by the book. The most practical thing (in the UK) looks to be the Nike+ shoes, which have different levels of cushioning... from zero to a small amount. Haven't tried them but they look the best thing for pavement and road running, especially in London!

My plan is to get a pair and alternate them with a pair of regular running shoes, using them on shorter distances until I build them up. I think swapping from fully cushioned to zero cushioning, especially on longer runs, will wipe out your calves and insteps so building up seems to make sense.

HerBeatitude · 16/10/2010 11:20

Norton is also a good option, but pricey - about £100 per pair.

I have the junior nike barefoot trainers and I made the mistake of not building up, with the result that I got an ankle injury which lasted for 3 months and I'm still not fully over. Have gone back to cushioned for now, as the cushioning does help feet and ankles. Once I'm 100% again will gradually move back to barefoot though.

It's a different running technique, more relaxed, less emphasis on pounding along and make sure you don't land on your heels. Might be worth having a look at Chi Running, which also claims to cut injury and reconmmends barefoot-type trainers.

HerBeatitude · 16/10/2010 11:23

Sorry I mean newton (was looking at anti-virus stuff as I was posting that)

HerBeatitude · 16/10/2010 11:23

Meant to say, with barefoot trainers, you don't need to go one size up as with regular trainers - you just wear the same size as for your shoes.

kittywise · 16/10/2010 11:58

I am a barefoot runner, have been for 8 months now. I wear vibram five fingers. It has transformed my running experience. I went from 3 miles on ashphalt with hurting knees and hips to on average 8 miles over the south downs.No pains at all anymore. Running 'barefoot' is a brilliant expereince, vey addictive imo

I cannot run in normal shoes any more

kittywise · 16/10/2010 12:02

btw anyone considering barefoot running MUST MUST MUST take the transition very very slowly indeed.
I cannot emphasise how important it is.
When you run barefoot you are using muscles that have been inactive pretty much your whole life and stressing them will cause damage and injury. That's a given.

HerBeatitude · 16/10/2010 15:55

kitty - how much of the 8 miles over downs is due to the fact that you are running on grass versus asphalt, and how much to barefoot d'you think?

HerBeatitude · 16/10/2010 15:56

(Am wondering if running with barefoot trainers on the road is bad idea and whether t should be on grass)

kittywise · 16/10/2010 17:07

herbeautitude, when I started getting used to the shoes I ran on asphalt because it was outside the door. There was an immediate easing of knee and hip pain.

Running the downs is much harder than running on asphalt what with all the ups and downs, long grass, not to mention dodging the cows. So it's harder work on the legs but easier on the joints if that makes sense.

cestlavie · 18/10/2010 11:35

Kitty - am curious. How long and what was the process for going 'barefoot' for you?

Am currently running about 4 times a week - usually 2x 9-10 miles and 2x 4 mile tempo runs (all on road).

Was thinking about introducing Nike+ mid level shoe for one 4 mile run and dropping the tempo on it. Does that sound too aggressive for phasing in? Should that 4 mile run drop back to a 2 - 3 mile run maybe?

kittywise · 18/10/2010 20:52

Hi cestlavie yes I would say that's way too aggressive. When I started I think I did a max 20 mins on easy flat tarmac. It was a wonderful experience I wanted to go on and on. However, even those 20 stressed my calves the next day, not too much but I could feel it. I waited until they stopped aching and tried 30 mins the next time I sort of built it up mile by mile.
But then as I was enjoying it so much I went too far one day and buggered the tendons in the top of my foot not too badly but I had to take a week off
It is a very common scenario with bare footing to do too much too soon, easily done as it feels so great!
But I went straight from trainers to the five finger shoes, so maybe that's a bit different.
There is a brilliant forum dedicated to barefoot running where you will get all the support you need
birthdayshoes.com/forum/index.php I really recommend you join!

cestlavie · 19/10/2010 09:46

Cool, thanks kittywise. Much appreciated :)

GoreRenewed · 19/10/2010 09:51

I tried it (completely bare feet) a few years back when I got fed up with constant niggly injuries. I found it very painful tbh. I guess those vibram things might help. But I compromised with a decent properly fitted pair of shoes. Might give it a go again next spring.

Running on grass is definitely easier on the joints - problem is all the footpaths round here get too overgrown in the summer and too wet in the winter. And I feel guilty driving anywhere to go running - it just seems illogical

kittywise · 19/10/2010 11:59

get some vibram treks gore, perfect for trail running. Go on you know you want to

orienteerer · 19/10/2010 19:26

Sorry, I've jumped in without reading whole thread. I've read about "barefoot running shoes" but not looked into detail. Is the theory that your natural gait (even if it means flat foot or pronator) is better dealt with "barefoot" than by using orthotic insoles etc? I was a very keen runner until DS (now 8) appeared on the scene, since then I've managed one 1/2M and spent the last 2 years trying to get a hip bursitis sorted (on the NHS!). Not getting anywhere fast, want to start running again....will a barefoot approach help?

dittany · 19/10/2010 19:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kittywise · 19/10/2010 20:34

I've heard that too dittany. You have to take it slow. I have been lucky with regards to transition injuries. Stubbed my little toe really badly on a tree root or something a few weeks ago running in the vff's . Ran another 5.5 miles home on it not a good idea. Couldn't walk for a week, couldn't run for three

Hi orienteerer, sorry I wouldn't know about that. I do know that all my hip problems disappeared when I chucked out the trainers. Mine hips were buggered from having all the kids bad spd etc etc.
Like I suggested to cestlavie, check out the forum, the guys there are way more experienced and friendly too

kittywise · 19/10/2010 20:38

and yes I have found that I don't need arch supports any more. I over pronate. If I am running straight after school run up on the downs then I'm in the playground wearing the five fingers. The initial comments from other parents were interesting but one of the most common ones was " how do you support your arches?"
To which answered "They are, after all these years learning to support themselves"

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