As I am slowly building up my barefoot mileage I often question if I am doing the right thing. Not that I doubt barefoot running is good for me. I just wish I could run further now. So ever so often I put running shoes on and find that actually I can run much further and faster. There is a price though, my old aches and pains return and that stops the questioning, at least for a day or two. It is just that I am itching to finally start running decent mileage and since I have very little patience with myself, I have to hold the reins really tight so I won't end up injured again.
If there is somebody out there who knows about feet it is John Vonhof. He is the feet mending guru assisting many ultrarunners during their grueling races. Today he posted on his blog about a runner who successfully ran TransRockies, a six day race, in his Vibram Five Fingers. Not only did he survived the race but his feet were in excellent condition.
I have to attest that I have never had a blister in my VFF's and my feet feel less tired when I run/hike/backpack. I carried loads over 30lbs in high mountains and my feet were happy in their gloves. I can't say the same even about my favorite hiking shoes.
So I guess I just have to remain patient and keep working on those miles, one by one. For now I reserve true barefoot runs for roads and very easy trails. For those rocky, more challenging ones I will stick with my VFF's. But I am more and more convinced that I don't really need clunky shoes to go out there and have fun. (Check back bwith me when temps get really cold.)
23 comments:
I have noticed these more and more. Not sure if it is a trend or just that I am aware of them now. I even saw someone truly barefoot running here, something I have never seen!
Karen, come to my neck of the woods, there are several of us weird barefoot people.
And yes, VFF's are in fashion. In the spring REI ran out of them. Glad I bought mine a couple of years ago.
Yes! We (REI) did run out of them. Before I went on my medical leave though, we were very well stocked of them. ;)
I'm so glad they are working out for you. ::smiles::
Wow, those VFF's look like they are made for Martians. I am a big fan of my highly engineered Newtons, but guess what? My Coach has assigned some barefoot running to me. On grass and mostly strides, but I'm looking forward to it.
Seems that you really enjoy without shoes. Have a nice week Ewa!
It's good to hear your running is going well. Sometimes I think too little training is better than a little too much. Certainly being plagued with injuries tends to slow one down and take the fun out of it. I have gotten slower in the past year despite consistent training, which is either due to age or injuries (or bad training :)).
David wore his VFFs on our backpacking trip to the Sierras a week ago and his only complaint was the cold (Injinjis help a little). He also paced me at Firetrails and ended up doing a 50K. He had a lot less damage to his feet than I did. VFFs seem to be very gentle on the feet that way. Maybe I should try them...
Cynthia
I learned the hard way to go slowly w/ my VFF's. I did too much too soon and had some top of the foot pain from them and had to take a week off. Now I wear them twice a week for 2 five mile runs and it works great. I love running in my Vibrams due to how light I feel and how fresh my legs are even after a run.
Continue to be patient and you will be fine. I’m all for people going barefoot but can’t help to wonder about high mileage in the long term. With this I mean 1000+ miles per year for 5 years or longer. We can only wait and see.
Look at that cute little flower between your toes :). Looks like you're experimenting and seeing what works best - isn't that so much fun!!??
I have not yet attempted the barefoot running other than running around the yard with my daughter:) You will figure out what is best for you....so many people swear by the barefoot movement:) Good luck to you!
I may have to try these out if I can take the ridicule and harassment from the husband.
Hi, Ewa. I LOVE this blog. Glad you came over to mine so I could know about it.
I can go further when I wear Vibrams (which I haven't done all summer) than barefoot, but I am sticking with barefoot very patiently for as long as it takes. I'm a little older but I have come to believe that less is more when it comes to training and that patience goes a long long way. I really believe in recovery time being part of fitness training, especially when it comes to our feet, which seem to be behind from all those years of being in supportive shoes!
I didn't even think about Greek music! ♪
I've been so busy I haven't had time to do my research but I have a few free hours this weekend in between running and meeting at friend for the Long Beach Marathon Expo so I'll spend it at the bookstore pouring over Greek guides.
I am not against barefoot running but I have built my mileage up over a number of months and cannot even contemplate the idea of dropping down to build up as a barefoot ultradistance runner. However I do believe in barefoot running complimenting a training plan just as you would adding tempo, hill work or cardiovascular work.
Can you not carry on in your shoes and mix in you VFF stuff and slow bring it to the fore over time?
I have been to barefoot running in two years and I find it fascinating and fulfilling.
Honestly, this is one I'm just not sold on. There is so much conflicting information out there; agenda on both sides of the equations. But for me, I know my feet grew, developed, and were formed by wearing shoes. If I had grown up barefoot, I might be more inclined.
I truly hope you get your mileage up and have much success with it. Me? I'll stick with my Brooks :-)
Peace
You are great, it's not easy to run barefoot. I have never seen before such Vibram Five Fingers. Have a nice week end.
I just returned from Portland for the 1/2 marathon.....saw lots of people wearing the VFF, but I chose to try my Newtons (same concept, just not individual spots for the toes).
I loved them. I made a PR time, and was very aware of my running form.
Would love to try the VFF though!
ENjoyed finding your blog! Jen
WOW!! There is no way that I could do VFF on trails. For some reason, even though the surface is harder, running on roads seems much easier to me.
This is very fun to follow you and your experience with VFF's...they are very interesting!=)
i like five finger vibrams better ,i think that five finger vibrams makes the toe boxes on their feet nice and wide,and you will see your calves and bare feet in the process of your running which is the best way to train your muscles of feet and legs.
Let's go to fivefingervibrams.biz to have a pair to have a try. i trust that you will agree with me.
i like five finger vibrams better ,i think that five finger vibrams makes the toe boxes on their feet nice and wide,and you will see your calves and bare feet in the process of your running which is the best way to train your muscles of feet and legs.
Let's go to fivefingervibrams.biz to have a pair to have a try. i trust that you will agree with me.
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