Comments on: Running in Vibram Five Fingers

By: Joy

Joy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:31:42 +0000

I’m currently reading Born to Run also. In the spirit, I tried to run just a few feet completely barefoot on my last run just to get the feel. OUCH – asphalt’s rougher than it looks!

I’m currently debating between VFF & racing flats for minimalist wear.

By: Middalia

Middalia — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:00:22 +0000

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, so interesting to read.
Ted so funny that we both got VFFs for our birthdays

By: Ted

Ted — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:52:39 +0000

Hi Middalia.. I am a newbie to your blog and I just started VFF. I just got this as an early birthday gift from my wife. LOLl! I started very slowly last Friday and Saturday in the small park with “soft” trail. It was actually good. I ran 4 miles yesterday for the first time around the hood. I have to say that I loved it. I woke up this morning with soreness in the calf. I took a break from VFF today and ran in my Saucony Fastwitch3. Believe it or not, I still have the soreness which is the longest I have since I’ve been running for four years. I am leaning toward minimalist running as this is really a new arena to me. Great blog of yours!

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:40:51 +0000

Middalia, I loved this post… there was something that intrigued me about it. It was only last night that I realised that I went through High School running all my track and most of the cross country events barefoot!! I ran my fastest times barefoot and found wearing shoes constrictive and uncomfortable. I am amazed at how this sport continues to evolve…

Read my blog post “Memories of running barefoot” http://run2ny.blogspot.com/2009/09/memories-of-running-barefoot.html

I hope you keep up with it and I will look forward to future posts about it!!!

By: Middalia

Middalia — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:33:51 +0000

Chris you can definitely feel the difference. They force you to run on your forefoot (which I already do but they make it easier because there is no clunky heel trying to force you to heel strike), don’t allow for overstriding, force you to keep your back straight and core engaged.

By: chris

chris — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:21:49 +0000

First, big ups to the hubby for running out and getting such a cool gift to fuel your pashion! That’s awesome. Second, I’d be curious how to see pictorially how you run in your Vibrams versus your regular shoe. Can you see/feel a difference inhow you strike? I’m reading “Born to Run” too, and although I haven’t drank the Kool-Aid yet, I’m fascinated by the stories about barefoot and minimalist running.
Best of luck with it!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:38:32 +0000

Ive seen LOTS of people wearing these around lately. I’m not sure how i feel about them. I dont know if my toes would like being seperated but it sounds like you really liked them! Keep me posted on how much easier running gets in them! I’m curious!

Enjoy your weekend and great job running BAREFOOT!

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:28:46 +0000

I’ve been running in Vibrams for about 5 months. I started out too fast and injured my Soleus (calf) muscle. Had to sit out for a couple weeks. Then I started again, very slow. I would wear my Asics for a few miles and then stop and switch to the FFs. I slowly increased the distances in the FFs. Now I can run 5-6 miles, all in the FFs with no problems. My legs feel much more “solid” for some reason. I used to have hamstring and knee problems but haven’t felt any pains anywhere in the Vibrams. I usually run at lunchtime so I’m limited in distance. I’ll probably try something longer during the long weekend. I’m really looking forward to it, particularly with the cooler weather.

I find myself wishing I could wear the FFs all the time. But I’m not sure how they would go with a suit and tie.

I’m about 2/3 through “Born to Run”, which is only confirming my interest in these funny looking foot covers….

By: michelle

michelle — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:28:11 +0000

Awesome post. I may get on the VFF bandwagon pretty soon!! Everybody who has run in them say the same thing – light and free!!!

By: Zataod

Zataod — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:21:50 +0000

I’ve been running barefoot for a little over 2 years now, with the exception of harsh winter days (too cold, too snowy, or too icy), and I can imagine what your VFF experience is like. I found right away that my form adapted to the lack of shoes.

It sounds like you are taking a slow, conservative approach, which I think is best when going barefoot/minimalist. Because it feels so good, the temptation is to overdo it.