The Bare{foot} Essentials
August 1st, 2010
Don’t forget about the Q & A page that I have started about VFF and Barefoot Running!
Barefoot Bit: The Runs
Ok, I’ll be honest, my “barefoot” runs for this week leave something to be desire…like more runs. I velcroed on my FiveFingers a whopping two times this week. And the first run cut short too for whatever reason my calves were killing me! They used to be tender when I first started running in the FiveFingers, but this was really unusual. So I canned the run and did yoga instead.
Then my second run was last night on the beach. I ran a speedy (for me) 3 miles with Dave and Jonathan. My Garmin was being obstinate, but we’re guessing an 8:30 min/mile pace. Yes. I ran all of that in my FiveFingers. No stopping.
I know that that sounds a bit hypocritical because I’m always preaching to you to go slow and build gradually, and this is quite a jump for me. But I’ll let you in my thought processes if you’re interested:
1) It’s sand not pavement, my feet will be receiving significantly less impact than usual—if anything was going to hurt it would be my calves (and I was right)
2) Every time I’m at the beach I see so many people running completely barefoot…my instinct tells me the majority of these people (if any at all) do not run in minimalistic footwear any other time they run.
3) I just felt like it. I did 1 mile straight on a track a few weeks ago and had no problems. 3 miles in the sand should actually easier on my feet.
So there you have it. You can scold me if you must, but to be honest, I’m going to be doing most of my runs this week on the beach, in my FiveFingers or completely barefoot. Well, except the 9-miler I have scheduled for tonight (should have been this morning, but it was raining and under flood warnings here).
Barefoot Bit: Bikila
Ya’ll know I love my FiveFingers! If you don’t know that then you’re probably new to Abby Normally (Hi! Thanks for stopping by!)…I own the Sprints, and I covet just about all of the other models of the FiveFingers…except the Bikila.
The Bikila is the only FiveFingers designed especially for running. How so? They provide more padding than other models. They also have a more developed tread on the bottom.
This does not sit well with me. The beauty of barefoot running is that your feet have such intimate contact with the ground that you can adjust your stride and step to remain injury free during your runs. Also, because your feet are so exposed, you find that you strike the ground with considerably less force than in shoes. When you’re wearing shoes, you hit the ground SO hard that you almost need the extra protection of the shoe.
But what about Bikala? Perhaps I need to try them out and speak from experience, but seeing what I have researched, I feel that the padding in the Bikala defeats the purpose of a “barefoot” shoe. First of all, you lose some of that sensory communication when you add both padding and a thicker tread. This means you are not as able to adapt to the terrain as you are in other models or totally barefoot. Another problem that this might cause is that you would hit the ground harder: potentially problematic considering the lack of support in the shoe.
So what are your thoughts on the Bikalas, or even FiveFingers in general? Would you buy them?
The Bare{foot} Essentials I
The Bare{foot} Essentials II
The Bare{foot} Essentials III
The Bare{foot} Essentials IV
The Bare{foot} Essentials V
Categories: Uncategorized
I am SO happy to read this… I am planning on purchasing a pair (I used to be a barefoot runner many years ago!) and want to go to a store and try on a few pair… I have to be honest, I was wanting the bikila – the pair you showed – because of the colors
Thanks for a more in – depth review of this style… I am going to talk to people at REI, and probably purchase a different (and less over – the – top color) style.
Haha I agree… I love the colors! Go for over-the-top!
I think the Bikilas could be (maybe?) used to help transition. I also think they could be fabulous for rocky trails. Other than that, I agree wholeheartedly with your take on them. (But they’re soooo pretty, & pink!)
It’s funny because when transitioning they say the less padding the better because you are getting more response from the ground to your feet. The more padding in the “shoe” the harder you will hit the ground, since you feel less. So starting out with less, should actually be better! They would definitely help a bit with rocky trails though!
I agree with Ashley… transition should be as bare as possible. You’ll learn to run correctly. You risk too much running partially bare. But you’re right–they’d be a good thing for trail running!
Just so you know, the entire new line of Vibrams are WAY more padded. I think birthday shoes have a demo for all the new ones, and some of them are hideous. And they totally added more to the treks (more grip on bottom). But I think it’s for ease of mind for those who are afraid of barefoot.
I still think it’s completely absurd how people can be like “Yes, high fructose corn syrup is HORRID for you” but then go “if I ran barefoot my knees would die!” Since when was there proof that shoes prevented knee injuries…
Anyway, glad you’re enjoying your run! I’ve heard sand running is good practice for strengthening your calves, but this is only for soft sand, not the water hardened sand. As for your calves, you will feel them become tender and sore for some of your longer runs. It’s just because your muscles are lengthening and growing
That’s all.
Glad you ran the 3 miler! Pretty soon, you’ll be running halves and fulls in the Vibrams!
yay!! I just did 4.5 today…my poor calves, but my knees certainly didn’t die!! As a matter of fact, they were happy!
I am seriously sad I haven’t gotten a pair yet.
before I know it it’s gonna be cold up here in Canada again and I won’t want to run outside in Vibrams
You can totally run outside in Vibrams! You can even get socks for them. But your feet heat up nicely, so you don’t notice the cold so much!
I’m intrigued by the VFFs in general and like the concept (although I’ve never tried them). I agree, though, that the Bikala sounds like a bit of a step backwards and that they sort of defeat the purpose. My thought is it’s designed to be a “gateway” shoe, for people that are afraid to commit to the regular VFF models. (My other thought is that it’s a total marketing gimmick just designed to sell more VFFs, but I’m going to think positive and pretend that they’re designed as a transition shoe.)
Hahah I think that’s a common thought… but really when transitioning, it’s safest to go all or nothing. The only thing I can think of is trail running? But who knows. Perhaps I’m negative, but I still remain skeptical of the Bikilas!
Maybe the Bikalas would be good for someone who wants to start barefoot running, but is afraid. Like a little stepping sotne maybe.
I can see why people think that, but I feel that the threat of injury is too great. And from my research I’m finding that the best way to transition is to kick of your shoes and start with really short runs on the HARDEST surface you can find!
I agree with Pam and Lindsay, I think they would be good for transitioning. I was actually going to get a pair of Nike Free first, but said the hell with it and bought a pair of Sprints.
YEA! I love my sprints! I’m thinking about getting a pair of Nike Frees for my next marathon because I won’t be ready to run it in FiveFingers.
Abby – how have the sprints been at the beach? I’m guessing that you’re getting a lot of sand in them – is that causing any discomfort? I have the KSO’s and they have lived up to their name – a lot of trail running and so far, nothing has gotten in them. I was thinking of a pair of sprints for my road runs.
Thanks – Tom
Hey Tom! The Sprints are not the best in the sand…I have an ugly blister on the bottom of my big toe to prove it. This is the only time they haven’t been superb, but that’s understandable. KSOs would be much better!
Like I commented above, [hehe, sorry for butting in], from everything I’ve ready, these would actually be worse for transitioning. Starting with less is best. I think you run the risk of more injury in these “shoes” because you will get less response back to your feet with the extra padding, causing you to hit the ground with more force. I experienced this firsthand even with the Sprint model. I was still coming down way to hard on the ground b/c of the rubber protection they have as a buffer. I’m not saying everyone should start barefoot but that is the approach I’m taking to drill into my head [and muscle memory] how hard I should be hitting the ground. Also, have you seen the men’s KSO treks? They are even thicker + stiffer than the Bikala’s!
I haven’t seen the KSO Treks! That’s a crazy thought!
I really need to be more intentional about being totally barefoot. I do it sometimes. But I promised myself that next time I’m near REI, I’m getting climbing chalk so that have no sweaty feet excuses!
I think your thoughts make pretty good sense. You seem to be pretty in tune with your body and know your limits, so congrats on the longer run in the vibrams.
I have pretty horrible feet and ankles, so I wonder if these would be better or worse for me. I’ve really only heard about barefoot running in the past few months, but it seems to be something that’s catching on with a lot of people.
I think it would be worth trying. Barefoot running will really strengthen the muscles in your feet and ankles, so they might not give you too much trouble. But they would certainly be sore at first!
I have a freakishly big big toe in comparison to my other toes, so when I tried on the five fingers I had a feeling I wouldn’t be comfortable in them, just like I’m not comfortable in toe socks. I was right. I like the idea of barefoot running though. I think it’s cool. I’d definitely need like, a mold of my foot used to make the shoes though. I also had to have major reconstruction surgery on my feet when I was younger to give them arches, so I was told to always wear shoes with a lot of arch support. So I guess I may have to give up the dream of barefoot running
OOO that’s sad!! I really wouldn’t want to encourage anyone to go against Dr.’s orders!!!
My cousin got a pair of FiveFingers for his birthday this weekend and I thought of you. I’m not sure which ones he had, but they did look like they had a decent amount of tread on the bottom. I slipped my foot in to it for a minute and it felt sooo strange. (Ok he also wears a size 12 and I’m a 9 sooo it wasn’t exactly the perfect fit.)
Hhahaha you’ll be getting a pair for your birthday!! You’re secretly hooked already!
I’m with you on the Bikila, and I’ve heard similar complaints about Vibram’s upcoming models — more padding, more protection… sort of defeating the purpose, no? I have Sprints that I’ve done a lot of walking in and only a bit of running (I’m recovering from a sore foot, and I want to have healthy limbs before diving in all the way with Vibram running), but I like the minimalism. I’m also personally a fan of the Sprint’s open top, since I have a high instep. I could barely get the KSO model on my feet, and I feel like the Bikila would be the same — too much pressure on the top of my feet.
Good idea with taking it slow!! You’re wise
I never tried on the KSO’s but I assume I’d have the exact same problem!
I’m mixed on the Bikila’s, agreed that they seem to be subtracting from the barefoot experience, but my hubby has gotten odd bruises and blisters from running in his FFs and maybe these would help in that area by providing just a little more rock protection while still being minimal.
Yes, rocks=bruises! I don’t know if there’s a solutions besides protection being minimal! Maybe Bikilas, but think you need to know how to run barefoot before running in them…
I would advise against getting the Bikilas. I bought a pair after having run an entire year barefoot and in VFF Classics, and I swear the Bikilas are giving me Morton’s Toe or at least greatly exacerbating it. Especially if you are just learning to run barefoot, they are way too much shoe!
Thanks Beth! Glad to hear some first hand experience … especially when it backs up what I was saying
Hope your toe is better!!!
I’ve been running in VFF KSOs for a little over three weeks now. I’m really enjoying them. I was actually reading the description of the Bikilas on the Vibram website today and was wondering if they were a step in the wrong direction. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought that. I guess I’d have to actually try a pair of Bikilas and see, but for now I’m quite content with the KSOs. Thanks for all of your barefoot running posts. They are helping me out a lot!
Thanks Marlon! Glad I’m not alone in my thoughts!
I’m not sure I would buy them but mainly b/c I’m a cheap chick.
Hahahaha yeaaa I am with you on that!
I would love to hear more about VFF for those who have sustained injuries in the past, such as plantar fasciitis, if you know anything about this!
I’m interested too! Hopefully I can get some input from people!
Hi Abby, stumbled across your website while browsing through twitter feeds.
Glad to hear you are into Vibrams! I’m a barefoot (no footwear), Vibram, and minimalist runner. I mostly do no footwear now, unless I’m doing a Adventure Race when I will wear New Balance 100s. For causal wear its Vibrams all the way.
In regards to Bikila’s, I can shed some light on that. I wrote a review about the Bikila’s which goes over all the features that makes the shoe great for runners. I then bought a pair for myself and started running in them. I understand where your fear comes from, as the padding would seem to reduce your ability to feel the ground. However the genius thing about the Bikilas is the extra padding is in little circles and pads on the bottom, allowing your foot and the shoe to still flex as much as any other Vibram. This still allowed me to feel what I was stepping on, how to run in them, and how to adjust any part of my stride just like in my KSO’s. Now if I compare that to the KSO Treks which have almost the same “mm” of padding, I can’t feel anything in the Treks. This is because they are one full on piece of rubber, not something that can bend and stretch easily. I love the Bikila’s and what they can do for runners. Just the right amount of padding for street running, and a bunch of other features that make it a superb running shoe. Check out my review if you want: http://www.travelcountry.com/blog/vibram-fivefingers-bikila-review.html
In regards to your other post about Nike Free’s. I’m not a fan, never have been, and never will be. I see a lot of minimalist footwear at our store, I read about it, and I’ve read the science. I’m no expert at all, but all the Nike’s are trying to do is allow your foot to flex. That’s great! Foot flex is important in minimalist footwear, it enables the toes and midfoot to really work when you strike forefoot. However the Nike Free’s fail in two areas. Still a load of padding! This takes away from how you can feel the ground beneath your feet. It also has a high arch support and large heel support, this all allows for the runner to still feel confident about heel striking, something I feel all minimalist footwear should try to discourage.
Well those are my thoughts… I hope they aid you in your barefoot experience!
PS… be careful of that beach running! I can run 6+ miles barefoot on the trails no problem. Ran on the beach 3 miles with stops, and pulled a calf muscles. Been out for 3 weeks now… miss running
. It’s the sand, since it’s wet it can flex far beyond any trail dirt, which makes your muscles (especially calf muscles) work a lot lot harder to push off at the same amount of force as if you where on packed dirt.