Taper Madness

Snowman · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:33 pm Post subject: Running (Almost) Barefoot

Surprised no one had yet posted this article from yesterday's NYT, about the growing popularity of running either barefoot or in minimal footwear, and the affect on the running shoe market.

I tried the Nike Free and still wear it to walk around, but felt like I was risking injury as I built up distance running in it. I run at least once a year barefoot on the beach in Rhode Island -- a mile out and a mile back -- and would likely do so more often if I lived there, but don't want to risk it too often in one short week.

Has anyone tried the Vibram Five Fingers? I've had an EBay alert out on my size, but even there the going price is too rich for me, for a shoe I wouldn't use often.
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GBN · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Running (Almost) Barefoot

Toots · Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 28 Location: Alpharetta, GA

Rita · Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 3988 Location: Alexandria, VA

my massage therapist suggested finding a astro turf infield and using it (barefoot) in a figure eight for 10-15 minutes warm up and cool down during track work outs.... then possibly doing the same on a treadmill if I wanted to gear up for more miles barefoot... I'm afraid I put that aside when I messed myself up during Boston (by mile 15) and then finished the race and probably my future injure-free-ness
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Bloomer · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject:

Kim and I watched the John Stewart interview with the researcher who studied that barefoot-running tribe down in Mexico. When I mentioned it to my podiatrist, he kind of dismissed it by saying it was hard to know what kind of terrain they run on. I'd have to agree that I wouldn't want to run barefoot on gravel (or urban glass).
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Trent · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198 Location: Deep Wells, TN

I have been running 1-3 miles barefoot, once or twice every week. Full on barefoot. On asphalt, grass, whatever. Good fun. Gravel hurts. But my PF feels better!
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Snowman · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:14 pm Post subject:

Judy Denver · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3784 Location: Mile High City

T. Musacchio · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 879 Location: The U.S. of A.

I have a pair of Vibrams. Google around and you can find them for cheaper (although not much). I got mine for about $60.

I also - for walking - have a pair of MBTs and a pair of Vivo Barefoot shoes.

I would not wear the Vibrams for running, period. They are much too close to being completely barefoot (incidentally, my PF started shortly after I bought the Vivo Barefoot shoes; I'd never had PF before in my life). I think I'm too heavy and too injury prone to run au naturel aux pieds.

I was talking about the shoes with a friend at the start of a race recently, and another runner jumped into the convo to give his opinion, welcome albeit unsolicited. He said that he knew several people who developed *TOE* problems as a result of wearing them, because the toes are the only part of the shoe with any real padding to speak - I guess people unintentionally start putting more weight on their toes (so says this guy).
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stihl going · Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 3320 Location: Roads and trails

While doing research for a talk on biomechanics, it was suggested that runners should try to run at least once a week bareefoot. We were meant to run that way and it was stated that it would help us maintain(get back to) our natural running form.
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T. Musacchio · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 879 Location: The U.S. of A.

Also, as a follow-up, here's the earlier article that brought me onto the barefoot bandwagon:
http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/
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Trent · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198 Location: Deep Wells, TN

1L · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 7590 Location: Hotlanta, GA!

I'm a bit scared to run barefoot, but my PF went away once I started walking aorund the house barefoot.
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T. Musacchio · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 879 Location: The U.S. of A.

Interesting...
Trent, when you run barefoot, do you do it as a unique run? Or do you slip your shoes off for part of a(nother) run? Do you do the barefoot miles at the beginning or the end of the run?
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Trent · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198 Location: Deep Wells, TN

When I do it, I usually tack on 1-3 barefoot miles at the end of my run. While I have not done this in a couple of weeks, I try to do it 1-3 times per week. It is great fun. Especially when there are puddles to splash Very Happy

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T. Musacchio · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 879 Location: The U.S. of A.

And... we're back.
The Times comes back to the barefoot running question, with a non-answer answer to whether or not there's science behind it:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/phys-ed-is-running-barefoot-better-for-you/
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ksimkoid · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 569 Location: Boise, Idaho

I just recently finished the book Born To Run, which I LOVED and plan to reread once my hubby is finished, but was really intrigued by the whole concept of running barefoot. I have to admit, I would love to try it but am just a bit of a whuss and a teeny bit scared...not that my feel are a beauty to behold or anything, just concerned about rocks, glass, puncture weed, etc...
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2Ls · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 3037 Location: Orlando FL

I ran a race Sunday thru the UCF campus, the morning after Miami crushed UCF. A young thing passed me near mile 2 - she was wearing bedroom slippers. I'm not sure if she was engaging in barefoot running or just late getting home...

Trent · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198 Location: Deep Wells, TN

There was a barefoot runner this weekend at the Indy Marathon.
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dallas · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:56 pm Post subject:

Doctor F · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 8495 Location: The Empire State

If she's barefoot and carrying heels it is the walk of shame. If she's wearing slippers, who knows?

2Ls · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 3037 Location: Orlando FL

kent · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 2:51 am Post subject:

The best reason I've seen so far for Vibrams...

http://www.youarethetechnology.com/

(may be NSFW depending on where you work)
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