Barefoot/minimalist running beginner tips page

[BarefootPuffin]

Morning fellow grokstars,

I thought I'd share a post that I've recently written over at my blog about beginning barefoot running. With spring right around the corner, depending on your geographic location, and the advocation by mark to wear/use minimalist shoes and run barefoot, I thought I'd provide my opinion on the matter.

I've been running barefoot and occasionally minimalist for over a year now and I've learned a few things in regards to the transition. Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks for the time,
Aaron/Puff

[Tneah]

Perfect timing. Tomorrow is my first day. I will walk on gravel.

[Lynna]

Perfect timing. Tomorrow is my first day. I will walk on gravel.

I've tried running on gravel....it hurts. I remember being barefoot all of the time as a kid and by the end of summer my feet were really tough, then we had to go to school.....

[outdoorgirl]

Sweet thanks for this! I'm a runner and was just starting to look into minimal shoes. I want something I can wear for running and also for hiking. Do you have any suggestions on brands or types?

[smilingjustalittlebit]

I've just moved to a house surrounded by 2500 acres of fields and forest. I've been thinking of barefoot running also but I guess the amount of deer shit and branches etc would make it a bad idea to go barefoot?

[Dr. Bork Bork]

Perfect timing. Tomorrow is my first day. I will walk on gravel.

I've tried running on gravel....it hurts. I remember being barefoot all of the time as a kid and by the end of summer my feet were really tough, then we had to go to school.....

This is how I screwed up my Achilles.
DON'T DO IT!

I ran over trail rock/gravel in my V's during a night race and now I'm in an Achilles compression sleeve. Also it took 3 months to heal up.

Try to stay on the streets/grass/track as much as possible until you KNOW your legs are strong enough.

[Blah]

Interesting idea, I might try it.

One thing that I found trying to train for a half marathon in VFF's is even though I walk and hike a lot in them, I still really had to build up the distance in them or risk my achilles. When I added distance slowly, all was fine.

[sashen]

Don't forget to check out these:

Sh*t Barefoot Runners Say

and the follow up, Sh*t Runners Say To Barefoot Runners

;-)

[rockrunner]

The key thing to follow is to do a very slow build up on the barefoot time...not just running but staying barefoot in everyday life it helps your barefoot running. It took me a couple years to adjust fully to barefoot running and I made all the common mistakes of over doing it etc...I learned the hard way. There are lots of subtle things about going barefoot you have to learn yourself that can't be coached...the big thing is learning body awareness...that takes time no matter how many tips and helpful hints you get from others. Its best to get some basic barefoot running info at first and learn the fine points yourself as you go along.

As far as surfaces to run stay mostly on pavement in the beginning then after a few weeks start mixing in a bit of grass and trails. Don't worry about gravel in the beginning...mostly just stay away from it ...pointy rocks are the hardest thing to run thru so save that for later when you have some confidence built up.

I'm really looking forward to switching back to barefoot soon for the warmer months...I've ran barefoot from mid March thru mid November every year since 2005.

[Lynna]

Sweet thanks for this! I'm a runner and was just starting to look into minimal shoes. I want something I can wear for running and also for hiking. Do you have any suggestions on brands or types?

The following companies make minimal or "barefoot" shoes. Merrell, New Balance, Vibram Five Fingers, Vivobarefoot, (Nike Free, but they aren't as minimal as some, but were a good transition shoe for me), Altra. Teva makes some really minimal sandals I think they're called the Zilch and they have some shoes close to minimal. You can also go with the Luna Sandals by Barefoot Ted http://lunasandals.com/ or you can do what Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton recommends and just go barefoot easing into it as your feet toughen - Barefoot Ken Bob's site -Running Barefoot. I attended one of his workshops and he's pretty cool (for a vegan).

Some people here have bought the Feiyue, kung fu shoes, they're canvass sneakers, but nice and cheap.

I personally like the Merrells, as I can wear them everyday to work as well as for walking/running.