The Bare{foot} Essentials
July 18th, 2010
It’s that time again?! Wow. Well, once again, I only ran once in my Vibram FiveFingers and I didn’t follow the 3rd week of my transition plan like I should have.
I mentioned earlier that on Tuesday I went to the track and ran with Dave and Gary…I also ran one mile straight while I was there. That is by far the longest non-stop distance in my FiveFingers to date. My feet feel fine, but I didn’t run any other time this week because of my neck and all that jazz (which is feeling somewhat better…thanks for the well wishes!).
Tomorrow I have some cross training on my half mary training schedule, and I’ll probably warm up or cool down with a barefoot run.
So, seeing that I don’t really much to talk about, I’ll cut this short. No insight, nothing new from me this week:
I want to hear from you.
I’m looking for your questions about barefoot/minimalist running. What are you anxious to learn? Is it something about my experience with running? Is it a more objective question you’re looking to be answered—like a scientific fact about feet? Or even, where did I get my VFF?!?
ASK IT NOW!
I will let you ask your questions and in an upcoming barefoot essentials post, I’ll do my best to answer what I can (whether it be from personal experience or from the research I’ve been doing). If I can’t answer it (highly LIKELY), I’ll call upon wiser barefoot runners to help me out!
I really want this to be a resource for runners who are already barefoot, who are breaking into it, and who are just curious. But I need your help!!
Even if you don’t have a question, but some insight or reservations that you simply want to share, let me know! Leave a comment, or email me abby.normally.blog @ gmail.com.
Ask away, my friends!
Missed my other Bare{foot} Essentials posts?
Bare{foot} Essentials I
Bare{foot} Essentials II
Bare{foot} Essentials III
Categories: Uncategorized
I’m not sure how many people are anxious to learn more, but they might be eager.
I’ve been doing ChiRunning for quite a while, and when I got serious about minimalist running, I tried the Vibram FF first. They just weren’t what I was looking for, and you do have to admit, they look a little odd. I don’t know, maybe that’s a good thing (conversation starter, and all that). I ended up with a pair Terra Planas.
I do think that no matter what your shoe choice is, the end result if you stick with it will be healthier feet and joints. My trick knee (from a bicycle accident 15 years ago) doesn’t give me problems at all anymore, and my mileage keeps increasing with none of the usual joint pain.
Great posts!! I’m already looking forward to the next.
Michael, I’ve never heard of Terra Planas! I’m going to look into them! Thanks for the tip!
What if you have super long toes? Theoretically, I mean.
Have you noticed a difference/ improvement in your form? Or less injuries? I have to alternate running days because of shin splits…
Hahah I DO have long toes!
I’m going to put your question on my new FAQ page. It’s an excellent qestion! I’ll answer it for everyone to see!
I’m still debating on trying FFs. My husband likes his, but he’s got a couple of huge bruises and blisters on his feet from hitting rocks and rubbing. I tend to run a lot in the dark and get into a zone, so not really looking out for rocks. I’m thinking I’ll try Saucony Kinvara’s first and plan to run my half-marathon in them.
You have to be really aware of what you’re running on, for sure! The good thing is that your body adjusts to change…your skin gets sturdier and the fat deposits on the bottoms of your feet get thicker. It’s a kind of micro evolution that your body goes through. Eventually you don’t suffer from the bumps and bruises!
I’m new to running. I decided a few weeks ago to try the minimalist approach. My first barefoot run was bare and I was actually enjoying it and ran a little over a mile. Well, I guess I should have done some studying before hand because my left ankle was hating me for the next few days and I had to not run for almost a week. I found @EdibleAsh’s blog/vlogs and decided to slow down. I’ve got some very useful info from your blog, too. My VFFs just arrived a couple of days ago and I really like them. I went on my first official run with them this morning and I’m trying to follow your transition plan. Good stuff! My calves are little tight right now, but I’m looking forward to including this habit into my lifestyle. Thanks for following me on Twitter, by the way. I’m hoping to get my act together and start blogging my experience, too. Any advice (for barefoot running or blogging) is appreciated. Thank you!
This isn’t much of a formal question. (Maybe just asking an opinion from someone who probably has more experience).
Do you think it’s taking too long to transition if I’ve been at for 3 1/2 months and I’m only up to 2 miles on grass (maximum) at a time, or 1 mile on concrete/dirt, which I’ve only done once.
Seems like a long time, but I am flat footed, and have worn shoes all day most of my life.
Love this…great idea!!! I’ll have a new barefoot post up soon about the manual I received to review! When I did my walk/run the other day, I felt so good! My steps were effortless and so quick + light. It was really fun! Can’t wait to go at it again. My VFF’s are wearing through, which is a major bummer. I’ve had them since November, which isn’t bad, but I also haven’t done too much running in them. However, I think walking creates more friction with the ground and I walk in them a TON. Soon, I will be barefoot walking as the holes are growing, haha!
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe they are wearing through! I hope that doesn’t happen to me anytime soon. They are soooo expensive! But the good news is that I hardly wear any other shoes anymore, unless I have to go out in public. There’s some $ savings in there somewhere.
I guess my biggest question/concern about barefoot running is stepping on something. I mean wouldn’t that hurt? Is it something you’re concerned about? I love my sneakers, they are so comfortable and I don’t have to worry about stepping on rocks or shards of glass in the city. I don’t want to run the whole time staring at the ground to avoid the potential of stepping on something.
Excellent question Jess! I’m going to answer it on my new FAQ page! I think hat’s most peoples’ concern!