Barefoot Running

[Linds]

So, curious, I know a lot of us on here wear VFF's but I was curious if anyone actually runs with them or barefoot?

I've never been a runner, actually HATED running but I recently decided to give running barefoot a try and oh my word is it FUN! I feel so much better, lighter, bouncier and I run with a smile rather than hating it.

I'm starting slow, everyother day and not very far. Luckily my endurance for running are not so great, especially with a different form so my calf muscles are done before my breath gives out. So that helps not push myself to far and are allowing both to grow together.

So far I'm running completely barefoot since I read that that helps get the form down best.

So I was just curious if there were anymore barefoot runners here. It's a very odd feeling for me to say "I want to go running" but it's happening :rofl1:

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I run agility in mine but running to run is rarely on my schedule. lol

 

[Fran101]

I didn't even know running barefoot was a thing! Then again.. I live in a city where sidewalks are covered in all kinds of filth and sinful items..

 

[thebigcheese]

You'll probably find that the skin on your feet will thicken up pretty fast if you continue to run barefoot.

If you don't mind having rough + thick skin then it'll be fine. Just something I thought I should flag up as a consideration

 

[Linds]

You'll probably find that the skin on your feet will thicken up pretty fast if you continue to run barefoot.

If you don't mind having rough + thick skin then it'll be fine. Just something I thought I should flag up as a consideration

I actually barely ever wear shoes to begin with so I've already got some pretty calloused and tough feet. I hate shoes :rofl1: So I'm sure they'll get a little thicker but I don't imagine it would be as bad as for people who are used to wearing shoes. I would always take the dogs out for walks and hikes without shoes.

And Fran, you are SUCH a city girl. It makes me laugh. But that's a big part of why the VFF's started I believe. So people could still run "barefoot" without being barefoot.

 

[Jenne]

I used to run before I broke/sprained my ankle. Because of the damage I did and the resulting trauma I was told by my ortho to run barefoot or to wear barefoot shoes/sneakers and to wear flats; no more heels. I disregarded his advice and continued to run wearing fancy Nike's/New Balance and heels. By the 5 session on crutches in less than a year, I realized I would no longer be able to run anymore. I now wear barefoot shoes almost exclusively as I find most shoes make my ankle hurt after an hour if I'm on my feet. I wear vivobarefoot, I have their ultras, and the neo, but also their achilles. All are very comfortable.

ETA: VFF's kind of freak me out. I am not sure why.

 

[Beanie]

I'm not since almost all my miles are logged on public pavement, but being A Runner I know several. I got more minimal shoes for my birthday, but I haven't run in them yet. I'm curious to see how they'll work out. I'll never go whole hog barefoot though, I like my feet without glass in them, hahaha.

I didn't even know running barefoot was a thing!

Oh it's a thing for sure LOL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPdb7ZDJKS4


ETA: Jenne, I don't like VFFs either. The whole separate toe thing. Ugh.

 

[stardogs]

When I was doing C25K I ran exclusively in my VFFs - no pain, unlike when I tried running in regular shoes.

 

[Linds]

Oh it's a thing for sure LOL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPdb7ZDJKS4

I am laughing so hard right now :rofl1:

But yeah, I've only been going barefoot in places that I walk the dogs everyday anyways so I know what's there and am careful. But, putting a nail through my foot years ago never got me to put on shoes I'm not sure what could

 

[Fran101]

LOL I forget my cityness until these kinds of threads pop up and I'm like.. WHA?? PEOPLE GO OUTSIDE BAREFOOT?! LIKE..OUTSIDE OUTSIDE?! THERE ARE LIKE..THINGS OUT THERE!
I don't even walk in the grass at the park barefoot. I have this thing with dirt lol and I'm always scared there are things hiding in the grass haha

Oh and I'm just gonna go ahead and say it. I don't like VFFS or minimal running shoes because I can't get over the fact that I think they look..well..ermm.. bad lol oddly enough, I don't even think they look bad on other people but the idea of ME wearing them makes me cringe.

I love my nike freeruns. They work for me, no pain..and I think they look AWESOME haha
oh and they are also personalized hufflepuff colored.
Hell yea.

I'm a toe striker I think it's called. I stand on my tippytoes a lot and they are the first thing to hit the pavement.. which gives me sort of a weird "bounce" run but otherwise lol my running is fine

 

[FG167]

Jason runs primarily in his VFF's which are falling apart (they are the original from several years ago), so I bought him new ones this weekend. He goes back to Nike's just to "remember how" to run in shoes.

He tells me that running in shoes is running on a squishy platform which is awkward for our forms and that is why twisted ankles/shin splints etc happen.

When I was doing C25K I ran exclusively in my VFFs - no pain, unlike when I tried running in regular shoes.

I run agility in my VFFs as well and I'm considering doing it more regularly. I am aiming for a half-marathon in November and just bought a new pair of VFFs so I might try them for running. Especially since I get a lot of pain - shin splints, flat feet, bunions - but I've always, always had that so I thought that was just part of running...

ETA: I am also barefoot as long as I possibly can be and go everywhere I can without hurting myself. The VFFs creeped me out but now that I've tried them, I love them!

 

[stardogs]

FG - I got horrid shin splits wearing regular shoes for running, no matter how gradually I started or how goo the surface. I also ended up with achilles tendonitis frequently. Neither have come back with the VFFs, even when I run on asphalt, so I think you should def give them a try - it may be your gait, not your actual structure!

 

[CaliTerp07]

OMG, I don't know how you could run barefoot. How do you not get prickers and pokers and slicers in your feet? I would be so focused on where I was putting my foot that I would for sure end up twisting my ankle or running into a signpost or something.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I boycotted the VFFs for a long time cause I think they're ugly too but omg, totally worth it. No more blisters, no more rolled ankles, no more shin splints. Bliss.

 

[Aleron]

I am laughing so hard right now :rofl1:

But yeah, I've only been going barefoot in places that I walk the dogs everyday anyways so I know what's there and am careful. But, putting a nail through my foot years ago never got me to put on shoes I'm not sure what could

I almost ripped off my pinky toe playing around outside barefoot years ago. Foot doctor repeatedly said "WEAR SHOES!". I'm still almost always barefoot :rofl1:

I run agility barefoot almost always. I just can't find shoes that are as comfortable to run in as running barefoot. I run barefoot on rubber matting, artificial turf and outside on grass...and sometimes sand.

 

[SaraB]

I run barefoot in agility a ton but I do have a pair of the New Balance minimalist shoes that I absolutely adore. Sorry VFF wearers, they creep me out. As far as regular running, I had to quit to mend some really bad reoccurring shin splints from a new pair of traditional running shoes a month ago. When I start up running again I'll be wearing my minimalist shoes.

 

[FG167]

FG - I got horrid shin splits wearing regular shoes for running, no matter how gradually I started or how goo the surface. I also ended up with achilles tendonitis frequently. Neither have come back with the VFFs, even when I run on asphalt, so I think you should def give them a try - it may be your gait, not your actual structure!

I'm glad you said that about pavement - I was thinking VFF for hiking/agility/flyball and my Nike's for pavement but maybe I'll just try the VFFs!

I boycotted the VFFs for a long time cause I think they're ugly too but omg, totally worth it. No more blisters, no more rolled ankles, no more shin splints. Bliss.

Me too I roll my ankles a LOT. I have very weak ankles and I struggle with that always - weak knees too...I'm basically a mess from kneecaps down!

I run barefoot in agility a ton but I do have a pair of the New Balance minimalist shoes that I absolutely adore. Sorry VFF wearers, they creep me out. As far as regular running, I had to quit to mend some really bad reoccurring shin splints from a new pair of traditional running shoes a month ago. When I start up running again I'll be wearing my minimalist shoes.

I'm about sold on this!

 

[mrose_s]

i wanted to look into barefoot. I tend to twist my ankles and knee's all over the place without shoes so I wanted ones that would kinda keep me safe when I bought mine a few year ago, so far no pain and I've done a lot of km's in these ones.

 

[olliethemutt]

I used to run/walk/do everything barefoot. haha....

 

[sillysally]

LOL I forget my cityness until these kinds of threads pop up and I'm like.. WHA?? PEOPLE GO OUTSIDE BAREFOOT?! LIKE..OUTSIDE OUTSIDE?! THERE ARE LIKE..THINGS OUT THERE!
I don't even walk in the grass at the park barefoot. I have this thing with dirt lol and I'm always scared there are things hiding in the grass haha

Oh and I'm just gonna go ahead and say it. I don't like VFFS or minimal running shoes because I can't get over the fact that I think they look..well..ermm.. bad lol oddly enough, I don't even think they look bad on other people but the idea of ME wearing them makes me cringe.

I love my nike freeruns. They work for me, no pain..and I think they look AWESOME haha
oh and they are also personalized hufflepuff colored.
Hell yea.

I'm a toe striker I think it's called. I stand on my tippytoes a lot and they are the first thing to hit the pavement.. which gives me sort of a weird "bounce" run but otherwise lol my running is fine

I grew up in the country and spent a lot of time outdoors barefoot. When I moved into town I pretty much stopped that. I see crap that ends up on the sideway, have seen people spit on the sideway in front of our house and just....no. When we were on vacation last week at the water park there were a disturbing number of people who went into the public bathrooms barefoot. *shudders*