Join The Barefoot Running/Shoe Revolution

That last video was hugely informative. I think I'll try those drills and maybe film myself running so I can see what I'm doing wrong.

i wear wrestling shoes or flip flops everyday everywhere...

i hate running, but when i do, i run in my wrestling shoes and run on the fore front of my feet, because there is no heel cushion...

wrestling shoes soles are very thin also, i can flex my feet over things... i like to wear split sole wrestling shoes...

actually i hate wearing shoes so when ever i can take them off i go barefoot, like in the yard, in the house, at the park, etc...

I went to the running store today to get me a pair of Vibram fivefinger Bikila's but they were sold out. I was able to try the KSO model. After I put them on, I felt like I was in my bare feet but with more traction. It was a really cool sensation. But with the lack of padding, I realized that I couldn't jump straight to running my usual distance in Vibrams without first conditioning my legs and feet. Plus, I definitely don't weigh a buck twenty like the Tarahumara. The couple of days I have run barefoot was at the rubberized track and my feet and lower legs got tired after about a mile without the support I'm used to. Plus, every once in a while I would heel strike if I wasn't purposely thinking about landing on the midfoot to forefoot. The running form that is needed for barefoot running is far from being ingrained into my muscle memory. So, I decided to buy a "minimalist" running shoe instead to help me transition. I got a pair of Sacouny ProGrid Kinvara's. The Kinvara has a much thinner and lighter sole and almost no structure when compared to a traditional running shoe. Yet, it does provide a little padding in case I step wrong or my form begins to suffer due to fatigue from lack of conditioning. I'll gradually try to work my way to 100% no-padding.

Also, while I was there I heard a rumor that Christopher McDougall, the author of "Born To Run," had suffered a stress fracture in his foot from barefoot running but I can't find any official news confirming it. I will definitely be buying myself a pair of Vibrams, maybe not just for running but for other activities like yoga, walking, water sports, or just hanging out.

I ran 12 miles this past friday in my five-fingers. Longest distance I have run barefoot to this date.

This is amazing thanks Ian, I have been looking for something like this. I always get told off for taking my shoes off in the gym cuz I love to workout barefoot.

I went to the website and read the faq, but i want to know 2 things: 1 is there anyone using these that have flat feet and have purchased padding for there old athletic shoes? I have flat feet, which leads to lower back problems. Probably from the heel strike, but still. I want to hear from someone that has a similar issue and uses these. 2 I am now into a cross training phase where i have to start sprinting 100's and 200's. Do these shoes cause any issues with sprinting? would i need to get 2 different pairs? thank you for any responses.

Originally Posted by Clayton

I ran 12 miles this past friday in my five-fingers. Longest distance I have run barefoot to this date.

Hey Clayton,

I hope to get to that distance again. That would be awesome. How long did it take you to condition your feet and legs to get to that distance?

Originally Posted by Orlando Rosæ

Hey Clayton,

I hope to get to that distance again. That would be awesome. How long did it take you to condition your feet and legs to get to that distance?

I have been training for a half marathon for about 18 weeks now. I have been minimalist running for about a year. I workout at the gym in my five-fingers, hike and use them for active recovery on fast tempo days. I have been perfecting my running form for about the past 4 months to be more efficient. The better I hone my pose form the easier distance gets.

For those interested in barefoot running....This technique is what I found works for me.

Originally Posted by Orlando Rosæ

I heard a rumor that Christopher McDougall, the author of "Born To Run," had suffered a stress fracture in his foot from barefoot running but I can't find any official news confirming it.

i can definitely see how someone could sustain a stress fracture from barefoot/vibram running, but only from having poor form or just over-training.

when i first started running "properly", even before i got the vibrams, i felt so happy about not feeling any more lower back pain or shin splints, that i ran everyday. not very long distances, doing about 3 miles/day. but i could feel some soreness and pain at the top of my foot where it connects with the ankle. i knew it was just from overtraining.