[TMA] Barefoot Running

[Barbaro55a]

Anyone tried barefoot running?

After some reasonably quick googling it seems to have lots of advocates saying it reduces injury and is easier. Anyone?

[James Snowscoran]

Never tried it much myself but I do have some friends who run half-marathons and whatnot that really like those weird running socks.

[Fuggin]

Called Toe Running Shoes.

http://www.toerunningshoes.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/toe-running-shoes.jpg

[Misan]

https://www.vibramfivefingers.com/index.cfm

I run barefoot or in a pair of those pretty often. It is definitely "easier," in the sense that you use less energy per stride. When you start it'll make for some epic soreness in your calves, but that just means you need to start out slow. This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jio7DK15Q1E does a good job of explaining the basic mechanics of the proper foot strike, stride, and posture. Oh, and this may sound odd, but when you are learning the running form it actually helps to run barefoot on a hard surface like concrete as it gives better feedback on bad form. Just limit it to under a mile initially if you do that.

I should add, even if you aren't wearing minimalist shoes (like the Vibram's) or running barefoot you can still take advantage of the proper forefoot strike technique. They just give you very immediate feedback which helps learn and maintain the form and are much lighter than most other shoes.

[eshru]

there are other types of minimalist shoes such as nike frees, new balance minimus, or saucony kinvara. i just don't think i could wear VFFs w/o feeling like a huge homo.

[Misan]

The Terra Plana shoes are alright, if more expensive than they need to be. I've heard good things about both the RunAmocs (http://www.softstarshoes.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1342) and especially Luna Sandals (http://lunasandals.com/). Most shoes that are considered "Racing Flats" are also decent. Lately if I'm practicing Parkour or doing a more mixed run I might wear a pair of Inov-8 230s (http://www.inov-8.com/Products-Detail.asp?PG=PG1&L=27&P=5050973023), which don't seem to screw up my stride at all.

That said, I haven't ever really gotten weird/bad comments from people while wearing the Vibrams. Usually it's random people asking me where they can buy a pair actually...

[Morax Marbas]

I'm actually curious if this is doable if you got really flat feet?
Because in need inlays in my running shoes to correct the posture and running barefoot would kind of defeat the point y/n?

[Kalnov]

What about cutting your feet on shit in the road?

Or stepping on rocks that hurt a lot?

I imagine it would only be an issue the first few weeks until your feet harden up.

[Misan]

I'm actually curious if this is doable if you got really flat feet?
Because in need inlays in my running shoes to correct the posture and running barefoot would kind of defeat the point y/n?

Hesitant to say yes, I'll check with a friend of mine who has more experience teaching it than me. There are genuine cases where it probably isn't advisable to go without support, but I'm not certain how often that is the case.


What about cutting your feet on shit in the road?

Or stepping on rocks that hurt a lot?

I imagine it would only be an issue the first few weeks until your feet harden up.

Doesn't really happen much at all, in my experience. Two things help to mitigate those problems, the first is you are much more aware of where you are planting your feet so you are less likely to actually step on something. Second, mostly for in the case of rocks, is the ability for your foot to naturally shift weight off (e.g. turning the ankle or lifting the heel) when you step on something painful. I find it is pretty rare to actually get cut from anything due to this. That said, gravel paths are fucking evil and really suck to run on, you won't injure anything, but shit it's not any fun.

The skin on your feet will definitely get used to it and thicken up a bit the more you do it. They actually don't harden much at all, even really dedicated runners like Barefoot Ted still have pretty soft feet. Their soles haven't turned into rocks or anything like that.

[Barbaro55a]

Their is a man called Barefoot Ted. Holly shit off to google.

[Vaelfar]

I've been thinking about getting a pair of FiveFingers after I finish murdering my current pair of running shoes. How's the durability?

[RazoR]

Toe+rest fingers should be easier, i think.

[Misan]

I've been thinking about getting a pair of FiveFingers after I finish murdering my current pair of running shoes. How's the durability?

My original pair lasted about 2 years, with some periods of disuse in there somewhere. They might have survived even longer if I didn't use them mainly for Parkour, because that ripped up some of the cloth near the toes. Odds are they will last quite a while for running, especially if you are mostly doing trail running. Also it will depend on the model you buy, because the more traditional KSO or Sprints have a thinner tread than the Bikala or Treks.

[lucian]

Mmm, I live in central California. Try running a marathon here with bare feet, and you'll literally burn your self on the asphalt.

[Misan]

That is a good example of a case where you really ought to just wear some minimalist footwear. :P

You can condition your feet to handle heat to a certain degree, but a marathon on hot asphalt isn't something I wouldn't even consider achievable barefoot. It really is the running form more than anything that matters. Shoes are tools, if they are suitable for a certain situation then use them.

[Violated]

I gave it a go couple weeks ago (back when I was still running in the morning)

Running barefoot was awesome. No expensive shoes, no stinky socks, no fiddling around. Only downside was that certain roads are not that barefoot friendly. Vibrams or other minimalistic footwear will solve that problem though. Might buy a pair of vibrams if I'll start running again (lolexpensive though)

[Ashaz]

This does look interesting. I'll have to try it...

[balistic void]

If adidas is good enough for these guys then it's good enough for me? :D
Awesome video btw (think it's adidas guy is wearing, hard to see). These guys laugh at marathons it seems.

[youtube:1x2nutc0]826HMLoiE_o[/youtube:1x2nutc0]

[Dante]

This is awesome. Always thought I had no stamina for distance running, despite being very fit otherwise - turns out I was just doing it wrong.

[eshru]

that type of hunting always blows my mind