[baz]

Total posts: 583

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i started running barefoot a few times in the fall, but have hung my vibrams up for the winter (yeah, i ponied up). it's pretty awesome, and i'm surprised but excited to here that your PF cleared up.

My one actual contribution is that i'll bet the treadmill is causing the blisters, not the barefoot running. the movement of my feet (and i would guess yours) hitting grass or pavement might not create enough friction to cause blisters, but the treadmill surface is sort of working against you, and probably creating excess friction when you land. (Is this making sense? I am not sure about it, or if I am describing my idea coherently. It's just a theory.)

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[theatersinger]

Total posts: 106

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agreed. this is why i thought wearing yoga socks with grips would help (bought 2 pair yesterday, wore some today, but not sure it helped). but since i've only run barefoot on grass, i wondered if other surfaces would also be as abrasive (road, trail). i've traded one discomfort for another and i am bummed. i drained the blisters, bandaged them, and hoping that they clear up soon.

any woman or man with my size feet (9.5/10) want to give me their vibrams b/c they don't like them i wouldn't refuse!

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[baz]

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well, i have tried to stick to grass and trails, simply because they are softer and i haven't fully developed all the muscles i think i'll need for barefoot running. in an 8 mile barefoot run, i might end up with about 1-2 miles of pavement, but mostly i try and stay away from it. and i agree with the winter worries, i haven't run barefoot (correction, i do have 'shoes' that amount to a rubber sole for my feet; they have no padding more than a couple millimeters of rubber) since november. I walked the dog the other day in them (no snow, just sidewalks) and my feet about froze.

i'm no wim hof. (i know someone else posted this video once before, long ago...) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=madoDvtKEes

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[encee43]

Total posts: 121

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I've run on the road barefoot, I usually wear my vibrams on the road though. I forget if it was McDougall or that Ken Bob guy or whatever his name is or both but I read an interview where they said they like running on asphalt best barefoot. I like the asphalt and it forces you to have good form though I have stepped on little pebbles which can cause pain in your foot but just superficial. The trails I run on are tough to do barefoot lots of pebbles and roots, grass is easiest and nice underfoot but no hills usually.

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[Minus]

Total posts: 323

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I'm unaware of any real research. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence, but none coming from anyone born with flawed feet. It's not necessarily correct to say that we're all natural runners when the shape of our feet stopped being a factor in natural selection probably several thousand years ago.

Recommend talking to a podiatrist first, if anyone's seriously considering going bare.

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[RyanMiller]

Total posts: 120

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http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v463/n7280/full/nature08723.html

also there is a ton of anecdotal evidence from people of all foot sizes and shapes. People wearing orthotics for years, then going barefoot or minimal and seeing their injury problems go away.

There is an equal amount of evidence for barefoot running preventing injuries as there is for shod running.

The most important thing is technique, which you can work on with, or without shoes.

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[RyanMiller]

Total posts: 120

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I don't have a link to the full text, only a PDF.

There is plenty of information on the guy's website

http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/

There is plenty of "legit research" that shows running barefoot can prevent injury.
There is also plenty of "legit research" that shows running barefoot can cause injury.
There is plenty of "legit research" that shows running in shoes can prevent injury.
There is also plenty of "legit research" that shows running in shoes can cause injury.

This barefoot thing is a huge debate in the running community right now and both sides are guilty of preaching their ideas religiously.

A few years ago it was easy for the "shoe" side to claim there was no "legit research" to support barefoot running.

The biggest problem with shoes is children's shoes. Those baby air jordans aren't helping your kids foot develop properly. If you grew up wearing shoes, chances are by the time you are an adult you are f***ed.

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[Minus]

Total posts: 323

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Guys... the only conclusion that can be drawn from these sources is that striking the ground heel first is bad and can be encouraged/discouraged by wearing a shoe/not wearing a shoe.

I'm not trying to stamp out the idea. I just still haven't seen any research that says running barefoot is better than running in a good pair of shoes, nor have I seen any research into the effects of running barefoot on pronators/supinators/feet with other flaws. We only have positive individual testimonies like Suzanne's, with no idea whether or not she had a bad pair of shoes before, and negative testimonies like mine; I was sidelined for three months in 2002 with a peroneal brevis injury after I experimented with running barefoot on grass.

It's always a good idea to consult a doctor first. For those of us in Massachusetts I can recommend Thomas Vorderer(greater Boston and cape area) and Marisa Schmidt(central MA). They're both accomplished runners and have legitimate medical training.

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[theatersinger]

Total posts: 106

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haha! i KNEW what i was doing when i titled this post, knowing it would have a higher likelyhood of getting looked at! (-;

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[RoyalWithCheese]

Total posts: 2519

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[theatersinger]

Total posts: 106

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i was barefoot most of my childhood. gotta love those high heeled pumps they make for babies and toddlers!

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[brfreyer]

Total posts: 233

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i saw someone said that they have run barefoot but since its winter have been running in the 5.0s.... have the hurt your shins becuase since i got my 5.0s after running in the 3.0s and with vibrams my shins have killed me when i tryed to run in the nike free 5.0s

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[theatersinger]

Total posts: 106

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hi twilzin. no, my shins do not hurt. just some calf muscle soreness and blisters. but those are both getting better. granted, today marks my 4th barefoot run. the only time i had shin problems was a few years back runnig in the mizuno wave riders and the brooks adrenaline. too much structure in those shoes for me. if this barefootin' thing ends up working well for me, my husband will be thrilled since that means no more spending beaucoup bucks on shoes!

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[Minus]

Total posts: 323

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This was posted to my team's message board a few days ago.

-----------------snip--------------------------
Posted on February 3, 2010 at 03:17:25 PM by Heather

I'm posting this on behalf of my friend, Preston. I thought some of you might be interested in this.

Want to learn how to run barefoot safely and gently? Here’s your chance.The Metro Boston Barefoot Runners—who have been running barefoot on area roads for over 13 years (including more than 250 5Ks and 10Ks), and have been subjects in the ongoing running research of Dr. Dan Lieberman (featured in the bestselling “Born to Run”) — are hosting two indoor Barefoot Running workshops in Cambridge, MA.If you are new to barefoot running or have some experience and want to ensure that your technique is both correct and safe, then you’ll want to sign up for one of these two free workshops. Both will offer the same information on how to learn to run gently, how to avoid injury, and both will briefly cover minimalist footwear. Both will be fun! We guarantee it, or your money back! (Oh yes, the workshops are free.)The workshops will take place inside and last just 1 hour. We will be moving the workshops outdoors in the Spring.

What: Metro Boston Barefoot Runners Workshop
When: Saturday, February 27 and Saturday, March 20 both from 3PM to 4PM.
Where: First Congregational Church, 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Please sign up here:
http://www.metrobostonbarefootrunners.org/Workshops_YQOB.html


----------------snip----------------------

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