Probably the wrong forum: Barefoot running craze

coachie · Feb 16, 2011

are you buying in? are you ordering a pair of five fingers as I type this?
 
do you think it's a fad? soon to go away, like other things in the running world?
 
interested people want to know.

gretriever · Feb 16, 2011

They've actually got some races in this neck of the woods that are exclusively for that minimal-type of footwear. For example,<a href="http://www.pinelandfarms.com/Barefoot.html" target="_blank">http://www.pinelandfarms.com/Barefoot.html</a>
 
My guess, a fad. It'll last five years or so and then go away. But then, to quote Radiohead, I might be wrong. <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif" style="width:33px;height:35px;">

coachie · Feb 16, 2011

I'm trying to "ease into it".
 
I'll never run barefoot outside here though...maybe on the track but that's it.
 
I did however, just buy some lightweight "racing shoes" instead of heavier trainers.
 
We'll see how those go, and maybe eventually go to a pair of five fingers.
 
Doing a half in May, and possibly a full in October. Plan on racing in the "racing shoes". 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by gretriever <a href="/forum/thread/72645/probably-the-wrong-forum-barefoot-running-craze#post_1984072"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> They've actually got some races in this neck of the woods that are exclusively for that minimal-type of footwear. For example,<a href="http://www.pinelandfarms.com/Barefoot.html" target="_blank">http://www.pinelandfarms.com/Barefoot.html</a>
 
My guess, a fad. It'll last five years or so and then go away. But then, to quote Radiohead, I might be wrong. <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif" style="width:33px;height:35px;">
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RaisingArizonainNH · Feb 16, 2011

The trainer at boot camp wears them and recommends them for that type of work out. ( less support on ankle = allows the ankle to do its job to help stabilize the body and the knee doesn't get so stressed) 
 I can't wear them ( I have "monkey toes_ - criss cross things on one foot and other issues where I need some padding under my feet... but some people love them !
 You'll have to let us know if you try them
 
 I know my daughter loved to run bare foot as much as she could ( on grass at school mostly.. ) and opted for a light comfort fit shoe that she likes a lot.

yar · Feb 16, 2011

I know several very serious runners who go either with the Vibram 5-fingers or totaly au naturel. They train and race almost exclusively like this. One's a personal trainer and she's practically messianic about it. Another guy is a large guy who swears by the vibram. There have been some allowances made for the recent cold, icy weather down here, but by now, they're back to their minimalist ways. I don't see it for me. I'm pushin' 60 and don't see the percentage in changing now.
 
yar

crazyfrog · Feb 17, 2011

not me....I tried some of the 5 fingers shoes, but my toes are so jacked up that I couldnt even get them all in. 
 
one of the guys in my running group runs barefoot or in the vibrams, and swears by it. as for me, I think they "invented" fancy cushioned/supportive shoes for a reason.

Buxtehude · Feb 17, 2011

I wonder what their feet look like.

4boysmom · Feb 17, 2011

There's a guy that runs from my running store that runs barefoot in summer, toe shoes in winter. Personally, I've only run barefoot on the track and that was not planned. I had returned from a ride and picked up son3 and we rode to the track. I assumed he was runnign solo, so hadn't changed into running shoes. He wanted me to run with him, so barefoot it was. It was okay--only 2 miles though.
 
I do think this is just another fad. I dated a runner back in the mid-80's. At the Columbus Marathon there were guys swearing by minimalist shoes. Think water shoes. Don't see those around anymore, do you?

Rainey · Feb 17, 2011

They are great for 110 pound kenyans (they wear shoes only as they are sponsored by them) I ran bearfoot on the beach years ago and that works
in the wet sand (20 pounds and 25 years ago!)
 
One problem I see is folks with poor running form are using these shoes. They will get injured eventually, it is meant for flat footed or SLIGHTLY forefoot running. But I see people who POGORUN whose rear foor never touches the ground in these and just cringe. Watch there head go up and down 8 inches to a foot per stride, that's energy in the wrong direction, not forward.

Shadow38 · Feb 17, 2011

I haven't gone barefoot, but have gone to minimalist shoes as a result of a change in form (POSE) in order to try and clear up and avoid injuries.

GaReb770 · Feb 17, 2011

I can't imagine running barefoot if for no other reason than worrying about foreign objects - nails, glass and other things that might enter my foot more easily. I suppose if it made the difference whether I was going to be an olympic runner or not I would reconsider. But I'm happy running in regular running shoes.

coachie · Feb 17, 2011

Supposedly, the barefoot running is "supposed" to cure the running form problem.
 
As we were not meant to run on our heels...heel striking will not happen as much running on your fore/mid foot.
 
You are supposed to "ease" into it, so you don't injure yourself.
 
And certainly, no one should be pogo-ing. Unless they are on a pogo stick. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Rainey <a href="/forum/thread/72645/probably-the-wrong-forum-barefoot-running-craze#post_1984249"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> They are great for 110 pound kenyans (they wear shoes only as they are sponsored by them) I ran bearfoot on the beach years ago and that works
in the wet sand (20 pounds and 25 years ago!)
 
One problem I see is folks with poor running form are using these shoes. They will get injured eventually, it is meant for flat footed or SLIGHTLY forefoot running. But I see people who POGORUN whose rear foor never touches the ground in these and just cringe. Watch there head go up and down 8 inches to a foot per stride, that's energy in the wrong direction, not forward.
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Buxtehude · Feb 17, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by coachie<a href="/forum/thread/72645/probably-the-wrong-forum-barefoot-running-craze#post_1984273"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a>
 
 And certainly, no one should be pogo-ing. Unless they are on a pogo stick. 

 
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This is some wise shit, right here.
 
The whole forefoot thing is something I'm trying, but while I'm wearing my shoes. I'm taking shorter, quicker strides and trying to land closer to my forefoot. I'm not sure if it's improving my training yet.

RandMart · Feb 17, 2011

<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/75637/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="59227_full-prt.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="16249" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/16249/width/333/height/500" style="; width: 333px; height: 500px"></a>
 
Dejen Gebremeskel wins 3000m in Boston with one shoe 
(Victah Sailer)

Rainey · Feb 18, 2011

Dejen Gebremeskel wins 3000m in Boston with one shoe 
 
Exactly my point that dude is Maybe 100-110 pounds.

Probably the wrong forum: Barefoot running craze

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