Join The Barefoot Running/Shoe Revolution

[Ryan Cook]

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.

[Ron Almeida]

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...

[Orlando Rosæ]

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.

[Clayton]

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

[Michael Romano]

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.

[Matt_Logan]

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.

[Orlando Rosæ]

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?

[Clayton]

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.

[Clayton]

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

[ian quinto]

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.