Barefoot Running Zealots

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

This is truly MPSIMS, so hold on tight.

Ever since I quit the track team in 7th grade, I’ve never been a runner. I’ve run because I’ve had to at times, and occasionally I’ll put in 30 reluctant minutes on a treadmill or something, but I hate running. Recent events have forced me to get into shape, so as I was sitting at my desk a few weeks ago, lamenting the very idea of running, I channeled some vague memory of Born to Run and random blog posts, walked outside barefoot, and ran a mile and a half around my neighborhood.

Everything felt fine, so 2 days later I ran 2 miles, then 2.2, then 2.5, until I was running between 3 and 3.5 miles every other day without anything on my feet. I tried running on grass but I didn’t like the feel of it, so most of this was on concrete. Unfortunately, that meant I was starting to tear up the pads on my feet, so I went to the internet to find something I could wear that would allow me to keep the same running feel without making my feet bleed. I learned 3 things.

  1. My results are not typical. Most people have to ease into barefoot running much slower. I have no idea why it worked for me, other than that I’m tall and lanky and so maybe my feet don’t have to absorb a whole lot of impact.

  2. Barefoot running is a fad on its way out. The science just doesn’t support it, despite the fact that barefoot runners swear by the the practice, which means that

  3. Major shoemakers are either adding padding to barefoot shoes to make “minimalist” shoes, or they’re dropping their barefoot lines altogether. Appealing options from Nike and Merrell are discontinued.

I did manage to find one remaining option from New Balance that I was able to pick up at the local high-end running shoe store, and even though I had to take them off after about 25 minutes (blister caused by a rogue seam and me not wearing socks), I still managed to do 4.2 miles (I did the remaining 15 minutes carrying my shoes). I know to actual runners 4.2 miles isn’t a lot, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never run more than 4 miles in my entire life.

I’m not sure where this leaves me – I think I’m a barefoot zealot, even though I don’t really want to be. I don’t know what it is, but this is working for me. I’m considering stocking up on shoes, since a lot of them are on clearance and I’m not sure they’ll be around much longer, except as an internet niche. I don’t want this to be a fad, because I’m on the wrong end of it.

There, if that wasn’t mundane and pointless, I don’t know what is.

2

There are many zero drop options from smaller shoe companies like Altra that some of my friends swear by and they run lots more miles than I do. There will always be some niche options for you - the entire movement isn’t going away.

Also, this probably would go well in the Game Room - we’ve had several running related threads there.

3
  1. You’re a natural barefoot runner. You have the biomechanics that work. Most runners don’t.
  2. It is on the way out as it doesn’t work for most. It will probably remain a niche product( minimalist shoes)
  3. If you hate running, why run (though you seem to have a natural physical aptitude for it)? Find an exercise that you like to do.
  4. If the shoes have any padding at all, don’t bother stocking up. The material age-hardens on it’s own even without use.
    The Science Of Sport has an excellent series on shoes in general and barefoot in particular.
4

Thanks for chiming in!

I sorta hate them all, and I can’t find anyone who will tell me that drinking beer and watching TV is an exercise :slight_smile: Kidding aside, if I had my druthers I’d be lazy, but since I need to get in shape, I much prefer running to cycling, or anything else I’ve tried. My hobby is auto racing, but that doesn’t exactly keep me in shape.

I tried the New Balance Minimus Zero, which is a 0-drop shoe with a small amount of padding, and it felt too much like a regular shoe to me – I was landing on my heels unless I actively thought about it. I ended up with the Minimus Hi-Rez, which is basically a sock with some rubber nubs on the bottom, no padding. I’d get something like the Merrell Vapor Glove which also has no padding but has been discontinued :frowning:

5

Not a runner, but I am a costumer, and particular styles and brands of shoes are always going out of style/out of production.

I’ve had good luck on ebay or other online auctions finding lots of different types of discontinued shoes - if price isn’t a concern, then you might have good luck trying that also.

6

My husband uses shoes by Vibram Five Fingers for this. I think they must be pretty close to barefoot. I always chicken out before trying them.

7

I always completely despised running until I got some vibram 5 fingers. Now I only dislike running. They completely change my form, and somehow I’m more relaxed in them. I’d still rather walk, but now I can run if I must.

8

try something like these? http://www.isnorkel.com/category/183/Neoprene-boots-socks

I use em for drums, not running though.

9

I’m an overweight adult male who recently got back into running after several years of no running. On a whim, I bought a pair of Vibram FiveFinger shoes, and so far (it’s just been a few weeks) I really prefer both running and walking in them. My running motion seems to be different and more comfortable with the Vibram shoes – I don’t land on my heels any more.

Like Renee, I still don’t love running, but it’s a bit less unpleasant with these shoes. Anyone else have experience with these?

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Just a note on the Vibram Five Finger lawsuit - Vibram Agrees to Settle Class Action Lawsuit | Runner's World

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I don’t have a dog in this fight, but I feel it’s worth noting that the central point of this suit is that Vibram made marketing claims that their footwear could help with foot injuries, and this claim is not sufficiently substantiated. It is not a suit claiming damages for injuries caused by Vibram footwear. In other words, take their marketing claims with a pinch of salt, but if barefoot running works for you, go for it.

I am not an expert in this field so I’m sure the other posters in this thread who are will correct me if I’m wrong.

12

I originally bought my Five Fingers because I thought they would make a great kayaking shoe. They keep the gunk off my feet and fit well under the deck. They were so comfortable that I started wearing them as my go to summer shoe. They are so comfortable that I forget that I am wearing them.

If you like the barefoot feel I highly recommend checking them out.