Barefoot Running

This last summer I decided to be brave and try barefoot running. I bought my first pair of vibrams five fingered shoes (My Vibrams) at REI.. I was a little leery because I had heard horror stories of people who had tried running in them and got hurt on their very first run and as a result were out of running for months. This was something I wanted to avoid.

The person at REI was wonderful and helped me find the right pair for my feet. He was actually surprised when I tried on the pair, the ones I ended up buying, because they fit all my toes perfectly. He then asked me how much I ran (around 5 miles a day for 4-5 days a week). He cautioned me to take it easy on them because I was using different muscles than I have ever used before during my running.

He was correct...you do use different muscles and the way you run is completely different. I had to re-teach myself to run. I was slower than ever running in them and my legs got a major work out, but my knees felt great (and continue to do so--knock on wood).

When you run "barefoot:" your land on your forefoot instead of the traditional heal slam you have in regular running shoes. When I am at the gym I usually have one or two people question me about my shoes, "Don't you feel a ton of impact?' or "Aren't your knees killing you?" But this is the opposite that happens. The impact is LESS and you can feel it. It is completely freeing to not slam down on your heal.

I am not saying barefoot running is for everyone, and people do get hurt doing it. Whether or not you can barefoot run depends on several factors:
1.) How is your balance? Do you use your toes? You can test this by standing barefoot on one leg. Have another person watch your foot. Do your toes lift off the ground?? If so, you need to work on your balance before hoping into a pair of Vibrams.
2.) Are you prepared to re-learn how to run?? Once you put on the Vibrams your foot automatically falls forefoot first (instead of heal) but you'll be slowed down dramatically. It can be frustrating to go from a 8 minute mile to a 10 minute mile.  On top of all that, you can not ran as far because you are using more leg muscles.

I am going to be running my marathon in my Vibrams (I am training in them currently). I swear by them but I also realize that people have been hurt barefoot running. Humans today run on concrete and asphalt...not the best conditions for healthy knees.