Any barefoot runners?

[13ALPHA]

Who says you have to run barefoot to run barefoot? Take a look at these.

Edit: Oops. Didn't see the two posts above. Or they posted while I was being all clever with the link.

Thanks anyway! I want a pair

[royalcrown]

I am wondering what would happen if I show up PT in the fivefingers.

I do all the time, actually the pace the group runs at makes command PT the best platform for easing into it in my opinion. For the Navy, the only dicey part is the instruction says you need to wear socks, this was easily remedied by a pair of injini's. I have heard their is a message out for the USMC saying that they are alright. Do your research and roll on.

If you get flack about them and told no, speak with whoever is barring them, show them the research in favor of barefoot running explain your desire is not to wear crazy shoes but to explore this.

[13ALPHA]

Court Martial.

I just read up on the regs, the specific components of the uniform list shirts, shorts, pants, etc, but NOT the shoes.

Under authorized items, such as long underwear, are "commercial athletic shoes" So shoes are not a required compenent, but are authorized. Sounds like I could argue that it would work.

[TimmyBoston]

I just read up on the regs, the specific components of the uniform list shirts, shorts, pants, etc, but NOT the shoes.

Under authorized items, such as long underwear, are "commercial athletic shoes" So shoes are not a required compenent, but are authorized. Sounds like I could argue that it would work.

I was just kidding, I have no idea. But I hope whatever you find out is satisfactory.

[The Nid Hog]

I just read up on the regs, the specific components of the uniform list shirts, shorts, pants, etc, but NOT the shoes.

Under authorized items, such as long underwear, are "commercial athletic shoes" So shoes are not a required compenent, but are authorized. Sounds like I could argue that it would work.

It's a question of uniformity. if one man is barefoot, everybody's barefoot! Haven't you guys ever seen "Heartbreak Ridge?"

[Obsessed]

This is very interesting - it does seem to me that most shoes, athletic or otherwise, seem designed to counteract the natural anatomy of the foot. I've often wondered in general why virtually all shoes elevate the heel a bit, even if only 1/2", when that's not the natural position of the foot.

And yes, I saw Heartbreak Ridge.

[mr_economy]

Since reading "Born to Run," I've been very interested in barefoot running (more specifically Vibram Five Fingers shoes). A couple local running shops were supposed to start carrying the Five Fingers in early March, but their shipments appear to have been delayed. I think Vibram is having trouble keeping up with the sudden increase in demand.

For now I'm just sticking with no-frills running shoes, and have successfully trained myself away from heel-strike running to a more natural mid-foot strike. Once I'm able to regularly run a 5k, I'll consider making the transition to barefoot.

[TimmyBoston]

I light of this thread, I ran outside to take the dog out, barefoot. And I stepped on about 8 thousand tiny little rocks. I have no idea how people could actually go out for a jog without shoes. Golly it hurt!

[Obsessed]

I light of this thread, I ran outside to take the dog out, barefoot. And I stepped on about 8 thousand tiny little rocks. I have no idea how people could actually go out for a jog without shoes. Golly it hurt!

Afte reading your first sentence and the first 4 words of the second, I expected you to say you stepped in something other than rocks!

[Confuzius]

I was recently reading about this and came across these New Balance shoes
http://barefootrunningshoes.org/new-...balance-mr800/
They seem to be aimed at the same market/style of running as 5 fingers, but they've actually got some padding on them. Looks like they could be good for someone interested in Chi/barefoot running who values their fragile tootsies.

[Stain]

For those of you running with the five fingers or vibrams, do you strictly run on grass, or are you running on concrete/asphault? Also, if you run on paved surfaces, what is the life of the shoe?

I am interested in trying them, but am worried that I would feel every pebble on the ground. Not a whole loft of strictly grass places to run.

[The Nid Hog]

The only time that I've regularly run barefoot was when I lived near the beach. Even then, there are broken beer bottles and all kinds of jaggedy things to deal with. I think that I pair of the Vibrams would be interesting to have, but I'd probably use them around the water or at the gym rather than for serious running. I'm too old to pursue a rigorous Zola Budd course of training.

[sjedwardz]

Yes I do some, tend to wear just socks though. At the end of a long run or training run I'll take my shoes off, carry them and run in just my socks.

Running true barefoot on grass or mud is just divine It really makes you feel like a kid again.

Running on asphalt is actually a lot easier and more comfortable than you would expect. You naturally move to a more midfoot strike anyway. Try heel striking on the road barefoot - a no no!

I've changed my running style a lot from last year. Origianally it came about from learning Chi Running and changing my posture. I now very much have a midfoot strike, the wear on my trainers bears this out.

I tend to run much more off road than on. I found that changing my running style was easier on the road as its always even. Try running off road and up/down mountains and its completely uneven!

I also wear very minimal shoes, made in the UK Walsh and Inov8 which have very little cushioning which again helps in midfoot striking.

But be very careful either changing your style or running barefoot as you have to do it in little steps otherwise you WILL get injured. Also if you are a heel striker its murder on your calfs and achilles to begin with as these never get used much, especially with all of these built up over cushioned shoes.

[Commander Quan]

For those of you running with the five fingers or vibrams, do you strictly run on grass, or are you running on concrete/asphault? Also, if you run on paved surfaces, what is the life of the shoe?

I am interested in trying them, but am worried that I would feel every pebble on the ground. Not a whole loft of strictly grass places to run.

My Fiancee's friend runs on the street with the Vibrams I know he's been doing 5Ks with them.

[royalcrown]

For those of you running with the five fingers or vibrams, do you strictly run on grass, or are you running on concrete/asphault? Also, if you run on paved surfaces, what is the life of the shoe?

I am interested in trying them, but am worried that I would feel every pebble on the ground. Not a whole loft of strictly grass places to run.

Mostly paved, the sole is thin and transmits quite a bit on the ground but I have not jammed over anything painful yet. So far they have given me just the right amount of balance of being barefoot and protection from stuff on the ground.

[Southern_Trendkill]

I'm just getting into barefoot running myself. We're not allowed to go barefoot on base, so I got a pair of Feelmax Osma's. Basically they look like regular shoes, but have very thin soles, and weigh almost nothing. They're nice because I've run on broken glass (accidentally) and didn't feel a thing. It also keeps small rocks from hurting too.

I've been pretty happy with them so far. I've had to build up the distance gradually, because it really works out the calves. The first day I ran half a mile and felt like my legs were on fire, and I do calf-raises with 200+ pounds on top of my bodyweight. No joint pain at all, though. And the first time I went back to regular shoes, I got shin splints.

Anyways, the shoes I got are lightweight, spare the 80 bones, I'd recommend giving them a try. Of course you can always just run actually barefoot.

Here's a link to a review.
Here's the link to where I bought them.

[Thebigspendur]

All this talk about running and these new shoes. The flaw in all this is the brutal fact that the Human body is not designed for long distance running. Its designed for walking long distances on a long term basis. Running is a defense mechanism and a very poor one at that unless your running from another human since we can't outrun any 4 legged predators. If your a really long distance runner and do it very often in the end unless your very lucky your in store for leg problems no matter what you wear.

[13ALPHA]

Well I ran with my shoes on yesterday, not that adventurous, frost bite was not one of my goals, but I ran a solid 5.5mi, and half was on the balls of my feet. It felt good, actually was not bad, but now today I REALLY feel that extra work my calves did, it's great.

[Southern_Trendkill]

All this talk about running and these new shoes. The flaw in all this is the brutal fact that the Human body is not designed for long distance running. Its designed for walking long distances on a long term basis. Running is a defense mechanism and a very poor one at that unless your running from another human since we can't outrun any 4 legged predators. If your a really long distance runner and do it very often in the end unless your very lucky your in store for leg problems no matter what you wear.

Not true. Four-legged furry critters are better at sprinting for short distances, but humans are the best at distance running. Bipedal running requires less energy, and our mostly hairless physique prevents overheating. Distance running is actually the only physical prowess that humans have over animals.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/he...well.html?_r=1

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0127134241.htm

http://www.physorg.com/news95954919.html

[TimmyBoston]

Well I ran with my shoes on yesterday, not that adventurous, frost bite was not one of my goals, but I ran a solid 5.5mi, and half was on the balls of my feet. It felt good, actually was not bad, but now today I REALLY feel that extra work my calves did, it's great.

Be careful of shin splints. And good job!