Comments on: Barefoot running (pt 2) – Killing me softly

By: adam

adam — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:11:24 +0000

Longtime barefooter here. Calves take some work, but blisters are more an indication of bad form than soft feet. Many barefooters have baby soft feet. It’s about being light and not running faster than you should until you’ve developed the sensitivity to tread carefully in your own skin. Runningbarefoot.com is an invaluable resource.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:53:53 +0000

Hi All,

I did my first barefoot run yesterday, my calves are a bit sore, but not nearly as bad as some of you have described. I did 2 miles running then I biked for 5 miles, and then I did another mile running… I am planning to do another short run today…just to get my calves warm so I can stretch them out.

Cheers! And happy barefooting.

By: koko

koko — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:14:26 +0000

I’m a physiotherapist and will be starting my path to barefoot running. Sounds like some of you cats have pushed the demands on your calves a little to quickly.

Skipping is a super simple and cheap way to toughen up your calves to get used to the shocking demands of barefoot running. The upside to skipping is that it’ll kick you butt so quickly you won’t tempted to over train. I.e. now that you’re older than 10, try and skip for over 5 minutes straight.

About the blisters…be patient your feet will toughen up if you don’t over train. Runners tend to get a little keen so the wounds are a nice objective measure of over training.

Cheers.

By: MM

MM — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:51:09 +0000

I am fairly new and experiences when it comes to running in general, not just in barefoot running. In the past, I’ve run 2-3 miles on a whim, and then not done it again for a few months. (I’ve kept in shape through other sports.)

Somehow, I knew I always hated running in heavy shoes, and I happened upon an article about barefoot running and the Vibram five-fingers, a shoe that mimics running barefoot while providing protection from small objects. I recently went and bought them and took them on a 3-mile run. Running never felt so light and effortless for me, and I was noticeable faster. Within a few hours after finishing, though, my calves and my right foot completely revolted. It’s now 2 days later, and I don’t know when I’ll be ready to get back on the road running. I hope I heal quickly. I can’t wait, because it felt so good at the time, and I’m exited I might actually WANT to go running on a regular basis, rather than see it as a chore to keep me healthy and in shape.

So, I really emphasize, it’s a great experience, but take it slow. If I did it over, I would have taken the shoes on an hour-long walk first, and then, done a couple of slow, 1-mile runs a few days apart. (FYI – you won’t get blisters with the Vibrams.)

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:21:15 +0000

I did 2.7 miles on my first-ever barefoot run. Felt pretty good until the last half mile or so, then realized the pain I was feeling were the blisters on the sole of my right foot. I enlisted my less-than-enthusiastic wife to help drain the blisters later that night, and woke up the next morning with my calfs screaming! Now three days later and I’m feeling better- my left foot really did well compared to the right- but won’t be able to go out barefoot for a few more days. My Assics will have to do for awhile.

By: Fredrik

Fredrik — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:31:20 +0000

Thanks for sharing Farley! Check out the video clips I recommend for more inspiration! It’s well worth the effort to learn to run properly. Keep it up!

By: Farley

Farley — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:28:55 +0000

I love running and finally got back into it the last two months. I have shin splints so bad it felt like my legs are broken. A friend of mine is an ultra runner and he suggested barefoot or wearing vibram’s for running. The more I researched it the more it made sense about injuries and running shoes just compensating for improper running techniques etc.. Since i am a major heel striking runner this was a big change for me. I got a pair of vibram’s and did a run in them the other day. Went 1.5 miles on concrete sidewalk and paved roads. Felt really good, the easiest 1.5 miles I have ever ran, calves felt tight and that is ultimately why I stopped at that distance. The next morning…BAMMM…my calves hurt so bad I could hardly walk. No change the next day either. This is the third day and the pain has subsided a bit but I am still hurting big time. I know I have probably never used these muscles in my life so I guess it makes sense. I hope I am able to at least get a little jog in tomorrow. My shins felt good on the run so I am excited about that. I can’t wait until my new muscle use is built up enough to go three or four miles pain free!

By: Fredrik

Fredrik — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:11:07 +0000

Thanks for you comment Nika and keep it up, pay close attention to technique as it it a completely different game than conventional running. Check back here in the next few days for a part 3 of my Barefoot running efforts.

By: nika

nika — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:14:30 +0000

Hi, I have just started bare foot running for 2 weeks. I try bare foot on trademill .
I also have five fingers. I had lot of knee pain and shin splints in past but barefoot running I do not feel pain in those areas.
Although I agree I have blisters in middle of ball of the foot on both feet. My calves were so sore.My foot muscles are even sore.It is slow process. I feel though when i run barefoot or in five fingers it feels so much less effort than running in shoes
So I will keep trying. First I thought I was the only one with these issues but glad to know that it is normal in beginning.
Thanks for sharing.