Barefoot and Vibram Running Articles

Here's a few links to some good articles about barefoot running and Vibrams. Even the military is looking into the Vibrams!

Marine Corps Times Article #1

Marine Corps Times Article #2

Air Force Times Article

November Issue Runner's World Article

Vibrams vs Barefoot

So about 2 weeks ago I finally decided to do a test....run in my Vibram Five Fingers and then run barefoot and compare! I ran one mile of each. There were some differences for sure! I first ran in the Vibrams (pronounced Vee-bruhms - check their website) and there were definitely pluses and minuses. With the Vibrams I was definitely less cautious about any rocks or sticks or anything on the road that could hurt my feet. I could tell that even though these "shoes" are supposed to be encouraging a barefoot type of stride, it was still a little different than running completely barefoot. My stride was a little longer than bare foot, but still a lot shorter than running with shoes. My toes also surprisingly felt a little constricted. Since they are in their own respective "toe pockets" they didn't really have any where to move. There are still positives to running in the Vibrams - like not having to worry quite as much about rocks and the like and I can run longer in them than completely barefoot. My mile was about 8:30 in the Vibrams. Once I took them off and went barefoot, it was like my feet were free again! I could stretch my toes out a lot easier which felt nice. My stride definitely got even shorter and I could tell I was running slower. My mile was about 9:00. But it was neat to feel the ground under my toes and even the temperature difference where the sun was shining on the pavement compared to where there was shade. I also like feeling the difference between asphalt and concrete and where it was painted. My feet were still a little raw after the run.


About a week after that run, I did a longer run with the Vibrams. I ran 2.5 miles in them and then 1/2 mile barefoot. The biggest thing I noticed after that run (and the 24-48 hours later) was my calves. Oh man...were they sore!! That is another big reason to take the barefoot running slow! It took a full day for my calves to reach full soreness. I did that run on a Wednesday afternoon and I think Thursday night into Friday morning was when I was the most sore. But I'm hoping a good side effect will be fantastic looking calves! :P

Sorry it has taken so long to write another post. Sometimes things just keep me away from the blog! But up next...a few good articles about Vibrams and barefoot running!

Barefoot with a Friend

Friday was an interesting barefoot day. I had planned on just doing maybe a 1/2 mile with some walking. But when I mentioned I was going out for a barefoot run, my boss wanted to try it out too! So we got outside and started our run. After the first 1/2 mile (when we should have stopped), we decided to go another 1/2. We did it quick too. Just over 8 minutes for the mile! I couldn't believe we ran that fast! I could tell that I didn't need to run any farther than a mile, but my toes didn't feel as bad as the last time I ran a mile. I was actually more concerned for my arches and my co-worker! He said he really liked it, but he could feel it the most under his left big toe. We kept walking a bit after the run and stopped to look at our feet. Now we knew why he could feel it where he did....he had sliced a big piece of skin under his big left toe!!!! Now, it was a fairly thin layer, but I'd say it was half the size of a quarter around! Not to mention the small blood blister on his second toe on the same foot. Eeek! I felt really bad that his first experience with barefoot running ended up like that. But, I don't think it will be his last barefoot run, which is good. Plus, it just goes to show you, you really do need to start out really slow and really small distances. You just don't know how your feet will react to their first barefoot run! They do need some "breaking in" just like a pair of shoes (except you can't replace your feet after 400-500 miles). Overall, a positive day with a few bumps. Thanks Winston! (maybe I'm not the only Hippie in the office!) :)

My "Duh" Moment

So it's been a while since I've posted! I haven't been doing too much barefoot running partly because I've been busy training for races and partly because of the last time I ran barefoot! I know I over did it on the mile I ran barefoot. I knew it a little bit when I ran it, it felt like I was getting little blisters on the tips of my toes (which I didn't). But, in the days following is when I felt the real effect. My left arch started to get sore while I was walking around barefoot. It was fine while I was wearing shoes. SO... I limited myself to just walking barefoot for a while. I think my arch has "healed" if you will. So I think Friday will be my next barefoot run. Probably only 1/2 mile or so. Maybe more, but with walking in between. When they say take it slow, it is VERY TRUE!!! This might not be true for everyone (I didn't think I 'd need to take it as slow as I do), but it is for me! So if you're just starting like I am, be careful and listen to your feet! They can feel every little thing you're doing and they talk back.


Until next time....stay bare! :)

1st Full Mile

Yesterday I ran a full mile barefoot! It was after I did a speed workout in shoes. 4 x 400 at 5K pace (or a little faster). But back to my mile. I think I probably should have stopped at .75, but I really had it in my head to go a full mile. I could tell I was reaching my max when my toes started to feel a little raw. They also felt like blisters were developing on the tips of my toes. My feet feel fine today, but I know I won't be able to go more than a mile for a little bit yet. I also think roads are actually safer than the grass sometimes! I did part of my one mile on the grass and although the grass feels amazing, it hides everything! I found a pot hole and a prickly plant! At least on the roads I can see where most of the rocks are. I stuck with roads after that. I think I'm starting to develop a small reputation at work too being a barefoot runner. It's kind of fun and fun to educate that it's really no more dangerous than wearing shoes. You just have to start small! On that note, I'll sign off for the day! Until next time...

Back to Barefoot

Today I finally got back to a little barefoot running! Chris, Charlotte and I went on a little family run. Chris pushed Charlotte in the jogging stroller and I ran along. It was a tough one at first, since the Half Marathon was just two days ago. I'm still a little sore from that! I ran most of the run with shoes on (just over 2.5 miles). Once we got back to some sidewalks I stopped and took off my shoes. It always feels so great! My feet really do feel free when there's nothing on them. I ran just over 1/2 mile barefoot. Mostly on sidewalks and the road, but there was some cool grass in there too. Oooh the different surfaces are so fun without shoes! I know I still have to take it slow because I can feel my left arch is a little sore already. I'll have to consult my Barefoot Running book to see how to keep that from happening again and make sure my form is right. I'm sure it's just like anything new, there will be sore muscles and achy parts! I'm trying to find a balance between learning barefoot and improving my race times. Each time I run barefoot, it makes me want to do more! Hopefully I can build up to a few miles before winter rolls around. Maybe I'll be able to run in my Vibrams on the treadmill or even outside once the cold weather sets in. But until then....I'm going to keep on trying to Stay Bare!

No Barefoot This Week :(

I think I need to skip the barefoot running this week. I have a 1/2 marathon in a few days, so I want my feet good and ready for the race. This is my 2nd half of the summer and my last. I think I'm going to stick to 5-10Ks for the rest of the season. This means I'll also be able to do more barefoot running since I won't be focusing so much on distance.

I'd also like to note that the daily mile tracker that I added is pretty much all "shod" running. I think there's a total of 1.5 miles of barefoot running in those miles.

That's all for now! Another update after the 1/2 this Saturday!

Barefoot Running.....The Book!

So I forgot to post pictures of the book I got when I went to the clinic on Monday. So here it is! I had both Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee sign it. I just started reading it. Although, I'm also in the middle of "Born to Run" so I need to read that too. 

On kind of a side note, when I got home, my Mother-In-Law told me that the daycare asked for shoes for my daughter. She's not quite 9 months old. I told her not unless it's a requirement! That girl will be barefoot as much as possible! And so will I! :D

The Book!

"Grow your strongest feet ever & fly like Wonder Woman!" - Jessica Lee

"Baby steps now to fly over time. Run Free!" - Michael Sandler

Runnin' with the Hubby!

I had planned on just doing a short barefoot run today, but my husband Chris wanted to go for a run with me! Maybe it's because he's running his first 5K in about 10 days and I know a little bit about running races, OR he just wanted to run with me. :) Either way, we did about 4 miles and then I did a short BF run. Just a half mile, but it felt great! I didn't step on one rock and I just love the way the asphalt and concrete feel while barefoot! I did get harassed again before I ran (and a little after too), but I just use it as an "educational opportunity". I'd say another successful run!

Barefoot Running Clinic!

Last night I had the opportunity to see Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee at a small barefoot running clinic. It was a great experience to hear about someone who overcame so much to go from not being able to walk to now running up to 30 miles a day...barefoot! I learned a lot about how to get started and to transition from my Asics Kayanos to barefoot. It will take a long while, but I know I'll get there! I need to start by alternating between the shoes I have and barefoot running. Then I'll need to get some racing flats or something close to that before I can go completely barefoot. I think this will be good for me, for this running season, because I want to keep up some of my good race times and still learn to barefoot! I think by next season I hope to be completely barefoot. But for now...I'll just do a short barefoot run tomorrow morning!

My first two barefoot running attempts

08/16/10

 

1^st barefoot run. Did 0.6 miles on the treadmill just to try to feel out the form of running barefoot. The belt was a little warm, but easy to run on. Then I just ran about .25 around my block. Just before I stopped my right foot found a nice rock. I have a little bruise on my pad just under the big toe. It’s a little tender, but it hasn’t stopped me from doing anything. I put a little ice on it to keep any swelling down. Otherwise a good first experience!

08/18/10

 

2^nd barefoot run. Ran ½ mile, walked 0.3, ran 0.8 totaling 1.5 miles. Felt pretty great! My bruise didn’t bother me at all. I can tell my calves are tight and my feet are a little raw, but not too much. Running felt like stepping on the tar that is put in cracks in asphalt. Surprisingly soft! I could totally tell the difference between concrete and asphalt too. Concrete is way smoother. I had some “hecklers” while I was running. They were telling me to put some shoes on or asking where my shoes were and “You’re going to step on a rock!” comments. It was great! Going to give it a rest for a few days and then back to it.I don't want to go too crazy at first. Don't need any stress fractures! Plus I'm still doing some "shod" running. I have a 1/2 marathon in about 2 weeks. Then we'll see where I need to go from there.

 

 I'm also going to a barefoot running clinic on Monday. I am very excited!! It's with Michael Sandler, author of "Barefoot Running: How to become healthy, fit, and blissful by getting in touch with the earth" and owner of www.runbare.com It's a great site!

  

Until next time...stay bare!

Nice and dirty!

Right after the run!

 

 

 

 

So why blog about barefoot running?

Because everyone's doing it, of course! :P OK really....partly for myself. I want to keep a record of how I started and how I (am hoping) progress. And partly for anyone (be it one other person) else that may come across this journal of events. I want to record what it’s like for someone who’s just starting (aka from complete scratch) to get into barefoot running. Maybe it will help others get into it themselves or just explain why run barefoot at all.

 

How did I get into barefoot running? I myself am not even completely sure! We started talking about it at work and all of a sudden I was researching Vibram Five Fingers and ready to buy a pair. A few days later I had my brand new KSOs on my feet. That’s when the research started. Now I've decided to try running completely barefoot. Those KSOs are great for going places where I have to wear shoes.

Now, I'm no doctor or specialist or professional runner (shod or unshod). In fact, as of this first post, I've only done 2 (very short) barefoot runs. So, this isn't a "how to run barefoot" blog...this is more of a "let's see how it goes" blog.

Enjoy!