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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:
GoJoGo · 27/01/2011 11:44

Hi never done any barefoot running myself but do go out running with my kids as often as we can,it finding the time with all the other activities that the whole family already does.

Anyway found this interesting article on barefoot running on another site have a look

www.running4women.com/barefoot-running/

mrsgordonfreeman · 27/01/2011 11:53

My DH got interested in this a few months ago. With city running he decided not to go completely barefoot. Dog poo and broken glass...

He runs with minimal shoes - there are a few brands but he wears Terra Plana- and he says it's been a revelation. Apparently a lot of the foot problems runners get can be linked to modern shoes. He said it took a couple of weeks to get used to it, but now his posture is better and he is going slightly faster. I'm getting a pair myself when I next feel rich.

With kids I might consider something like plimsolls, Roger Bannister ran the 4 minute mile in those, and indeed DH's dad ran the Comrades' twice in them.

Original poster
C0FFEE · 29/01/2011 14:04

Tried it last night and all I can say is ouch.

It was below 0c, perfect running weather. at first it was fine, pleasant but after a mile or so it was hurting although it did not bother my DD.

OP posts:
gracehedley · 30/01/2011 22:19

There are some barefoot running fans in my running club. When we have a training session on the field they run with no shoes. Think it's ok if grass is quite soft and no litter. Also supposed to be good for your feet and posture. We had a talk from a podiatrist last week who recommended wearing minimal shoes like plimsolls as mentioned above. Reckoned fancy running shoes from running shops are a rip off. So all in all, could be worth it!

Butterbur · 31/01/2011 13:00

I don't understand this. Fifteen years ago, it was all about cushioning, to protect the knees/hips etc from the enormous impacts caused by running.

Now we don't hear anything about impact, it's all about the change in running technique if you're wearing those expensive weird five-toed things barefoot.

Is it cynical of me to think that this band wagon is really about whatever expensive footwear Nike/Adidas etc can flog to you?

If you're a runner, you're going to get injuries from time to time. It'll take more than a few anecdotal reports about barefoot running to convince me otherwise.

Original poster
C0FFEE · 04/02/2011 14:15

I going to try it again when it gets a bit lighter and on grass rather then pavement.

Came across some cushioned socks maybe I should try running in them.

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thecoo · 05/02/2011 21:10

I read Born to Run recently (loved it!) and it has made me think about running without shoes. I tried a short run on grass the other day, which felt really good, but I was so paranoid someone would see me and think I was weird...

I've bought Terra Plana Viva Barefoot shoes after reading a few reviews, so I can transition slowly without being too self-conscious. They only arrived today so I went for a walk in them, but not yet run in them.

When I was a kid we were always barefoot and laughed at the kids who didn't have tough feet like ours (I grew up in South Africa). Now of course I'm a total wuss and don't want tough feet (want nice soft feminine ones).

So although I think barefoot makes a lot of sense I'm not sure I'm brave enough to go the whole hog yet.

Was very excited to see a post about it on here though!

Meglet · 05/02/2011 21:15

You can get those mad looking rubber sock things can't you?

I'm not much of a runner, 25 mins is my limit. But I do like the sound of barefoot running, even if it's in some very thin trainers. Too much poo and glass in this area to risk totally barefoot.

Meglet · 05/02/2011 21:18

They're called vibram fivefingers.

cornsilk · 05/02/2011 21:29

I heard Eddie Izzard talking about this - he does it apparently

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?

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 · 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 · 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

OP posts:
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! :)

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 · 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 :)

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!

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!

OP posts:
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 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!

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 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

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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 :) )

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?

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