Vibram Five Fingers - Did they work out for you?
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TonisTri posted 2 weeks ago.
Toni, I am in the same boat. I bought them 3 months ago for all the same reasons. I am still walking in them and running very short distances to build up strength. My problem is I have very little access to trails and have to run on asphalt most of the time, so it's taking me even longer to break my legs/feet in. Ironmom has not posted here in a while, but she's the one who introduced me to the vibrams. If you visit her blog, you can leave her a message there and perhaps she will get back to you about it. She seems to love them. Let me know what you find out. ~The other Toni : )
That which does not kill me makes me faster...
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KitKat posted 2 weeks ago.
I'm getting a pair, sooner than later as fall/winter ts upon and my feet are too cold to run barefoot.
I ran barefoot 6 weeks up to IMC. I'd do it once a week from 20-30 minutes but never beyond that. Mainly because I had IMC and didn't want to risk injury. They say to increase distance very slowly. A 20 min, 50 and then 8 mile run is way to soon IMO. I'm now running in Newtons (which I have to say replicate the feel on my barefoot runs) and they say to increase mileage the same way. Starting out with 2-3 mile runs and not extending beyond 6 miles until you've reached at least 30-40 miles in the shoes. It's not about breaking in your shoes, it's about breaking in your legs and changing your run form. This can not be rushed.
**Pain is weakness leaving the body**
*Smile, it does a body good*
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dkhartung posted 2 weeks ago.
What do you guys think about sizing? I've heard that they are pretty tempermental in that you really need to get the sizing right, but that seems like quite a challenge purchasing online. Is the recommendation to measure the naked foot and buy based on the Vibram sizing chart accurate?
I too am trying to slowly build up my barefoot running (on the treadmill) and would like to move outside, but need some protection.
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krazyfranco posted 2 weeks ago.
toni wrote:
Did you buy them?
Yes. I got my VFFs about a month ago - the KSOs, size 42 (my US shoe size is 10.5).
toni wrote:
How did they work out for you?
So far, so good. I am in bare feet as much as possible. I rarely wear shoes during the summer, I kick off my shoes at work, etc. etc. etc., so my story may not be typical. Also, I was running 20-30 minutes a week barefoot (actually barefoot) before purchasing the VFFs.
They let me run the same way that I do when I'm barefoot. They prevent rocks/glass from cutting me. They work. My only issue thus far is a small blister on the inside of both of my fat feet. This was remedied with a bandaid/socks when it is cold out.
I can't say that it was big change for me when I started wearing these. I think my stride is fairly similar shod and barefoot. Mainly, I just felt safer while running barefoot (in my VFFs).
I also wore my VFFs in lieu of shoes after my marathon. My feet were in a lot of pain, and wearing running shoes exacerbated that pain. Wearing the VFFs was less painful.
toni wrote:
How long did it take for your legs/feet to get used to them before you could take them on a long run?
How do you define 'long run?' I've probably put 50 miles or so on my pair. I started with 2-3 mile runs, much like I had been doing barefoot, and worked up to 5 mile runs within a week. I didn't experience any calf/foot soreness, only a bit of soreness in my lower back. I haven't taken them over 5 miles yet. I don't think it would be a problem for me, though.
I think the keys are paying attention to your body and running SLOWLY as you adjust. Don't wear a watch, just run slowly and use good form.
Hard days hard, easy days easy.
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krazyfranco posted 2 weeks ago.
dkhartung wrote:
What do you guys think about sizing?
I got size 42, and wear 10.5 US. I was able to go to a store and try them on, though. They felt a bit tight on my big toe at first, but did loosen ever so slightly and fit perfectly now.
I'd hesitate to buy online unless you're willing to send shoes back and forth a few times. The fit on these is unique because of the 5 toes.
Hard days hard, easy days easy.
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wannakona posted 2 weeks ago.
I'm in the same boat. I keep wanting to buy them but keep holding back. Mainly i think because i will need to make time to get used to running in them and i feel like i will be taking time away from my training. (kinda obsessive i know) Also i don't want to buy several pairs on line and then return them because of the fit and the store i can go to is kind of far...
When i ran last marathon i saw a guy running the full marathon in VFFs. I thought it was cool since i'm guessing he was already used to wearing those, but he was also wearing pajama pants and cotton shirt... maybe he just woke up and decided to run a marathon.
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krazyfranco posted 2 weeks ago.
wannakona wrote:
... i feel like i will be taking time away from my training.
I started out by wearing mine on slow, easy, recovery days. I think doing recovery barefoot was beneficial, and helped me bounce back faster. It doesn't necessarily take away from your training, it can actually enhance it, as was my experience.
Hard days hard, easy days easy.
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wannakona posted 2 weeks ago.
krazyfranco wrote:
wannakona wrote:... i feel like i will be taking time away from my training.I started out by wearing mine on slow, easy, recovery days. I think doing recovery barefoot was beneficial, and helped me bounce back faster. It doesn't necessarily take away from your training, it can actually enhance it, as was my experience.
That makes sense, thanks Franco.
(I don't mean to be stealing the thread)
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beads1985 posted 2 weeks ago.
When I have a little disposable cash I want to try them, there is a store in town that is supposed to carry them.
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
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toni posted 2 weeks ago.
Not at all wannakona. That's exactly where I am too. Trying to train for a mary and transition as well and it's not going how I thought it would. Franco's got some good points and I guess I was rushing it quite a bit. I just didn't think the transition from flat shoes to barefoot would be that drastic.
Thanks for the good feedback. I'll just slow it down and use them for recovery runs for now.
-Toni
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - FDR
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SueR posted 2 weeks ago.
Okay I am interested, but don't want to invest a hundred bucks in a "test". Any advice on how to start this as an experiment without potentially wasting a pile of cash and illiciting a negative response from the financial committee...
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krazyfranco posted 2 weeks ago.
SueR wrote:
Okay I am interested, but don't want to invest a hundred bucks in a "test". Any advice on how to start this as an experiment without potentially wasting a pile of cash and illiciting a negative response from the financial committee...
Easy. Go outside, find a grassy area, and run (slowly, carefully) barefoot. Did you like it? Do you want to do so more often? Do you want to run longer distances barefoot?
Yes? Get some VFFs.
No? Don't bother.
Hard days hard, easy days easy.
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Star posted 2 weeks ago.
Have 'em and LOVE 'em! I have crazy feet and I usually wear an insert given to me by my Chiro to control my pronation problems. However, I wanted to try the FF's, so I went ot the local running store to try them on (which is my recommendation)...make sure you fit the shoe to your most uncomfortable toe, if that makes sense.
Anyway, I've been running up to 12 miles at a time in them on the grass and they rock (I think they would be awesome for beach running as well)! They work perfectly with the Injinji toe socks.
They offer no support and no cushioning, so when you land on rocks and other stuff, it hurts. I run slower in them, but my gait totally changes...I run more forward, more on my toes, than on my heals. I really think they are making my feet and legs stronger.
My Chiro says there's been no change in my allignment due to the FF's, so I will keep running longer in them. LOVE 'em!!!
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog:http://starsnextbigthing.blogspot.com/
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toni posted 2 weeks ago.
Ran a mile today for the 30 days of running in them and felt pretty good. Ran a little bit slower, but not much and my legs and feet feel perfect today. Like KitKat said, keep it short and slow and so I will. Also restarted yoga to help out with the flexibility portion.
-Toni
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - FDR
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KitKat posted 2 weeks ago.
toni wrote:
Also restarted yoga to help out with the flexibility portion.
I'm a firm believer that Yoga and or Pilates will do wonders for run injury prevention.
Good luck and enjoy running like a kid again!
**Pain is weakness leaving the body**
*Smile, it does a body good*
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TonisTri posted 2 weeks ago.
Star wrote:
They offer no support and no cushioning, so when you land on rocks and other stuff, it hurts.
yup. hit a patch of acorns today while running in them. ouch!
That which does not kill me makes me faster...
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The X Runner posted 2 weeks ago.
as ppl have been saying, little things like roots, pebbles and acorns can hurt pretty bad.
First day I got them I went for a 3 miler. Next time I went for a 12 miler and the next week another 12 miler.
That was 3 weeks ago and I haven't run since. Right now the top of my right foot aches and I can't run (I also busted my toe so I can't run anyway...) I don't think the Vibrams are responsible, it may just be the really heavy backpack I've been walking home with from school.
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toni posted 2 weeks ago.
The X Runner wrote:
Right now the top of my right foot aches and I can't runI don't think the Vibrams are responsible.
The top of my right foot aches most of the time since I started wearing flatter shoes. The VFF's really accentuated it. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that it's just fascia tightening and not my fracture from two years ago rearing it's head.....
-Toni
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - FDR
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olivestri posted 1 week ago.
I am a relatively recent (2 yrs) Newton/VFF/barefoot convert. I did it because I am office bound, a little heavier than i should be, and, consequently, have reoccurring plantar fasciitis. My theory was that strengthening my feet was the solution - as opposed to more cushiony shoes. Tried the cushiony shoes for the prior 4 or 5 years.
I am a year since my last bout with plantar fasciitis. And, now looking to increase my running distance. Below is my experience with all 3...
- Newtons. I don't know why everyone is not running in these. i suppose it helps if you are already sort of an upright/mid-foot runner. but i am sure i was faster in my Newtons from day 1.
- VFF. Size is a little hard to get right. Went to City Sports to try on and buy. On the trails acorns and roots are surprisingly hard resulting in some sorre spots. More importantly, do not over do it. I was running with the dogs, so probably going too fast, and had reoccurring calf strains. Probably also due to a lack of hydration and yoga. So, I took a break and am now slowly building up strength with shorter slower runs.
- Barefoot. So exhilerating i forgot i was running. Even if you just take your shoes off for a 1/4 or 1/2 mile at a park along your run, so worth it.
Did you buy them? How did they work out for you? How long did it take for your legs/feet to get used to them before you could take them on a long run?
A while ago, after reading about Born to Run, I got excited about barefoot running. It made logical sense and was worth trying. I wasn't so excited about bare skin hitting the pavement though. So I read up on the Vibrams and everyone said you had to work up to them. I figured that since this was an experiment, I'd go to Payless and buy a pair of flat sneakers, the sole being evenly thick from toe to heel with no elevation in the heel. If my feet couldn't handle it, I'd go back to my runners. My feet handled it pretty well suprisingly enough. My ankles got back proprioception and strength they haven't had in years. And when I stepped on a rock, root or hole, I was able to catch myself with the muscles in my ankles instead of straight out rolling which was my usual MO. So after a month and a half, mayber longer, I bit the bullet and bought the Vibrams. I didn't think there would be that much of difference between the flat shoes and the Vibrams, but oh boy there was. My first run with them was 20 mins. Hip flexors were a little sore. Next run was 50 minutes, calves were tired, but not too bad and although fatigued the next day, they didn't hurt. So I figured I'd take them on my 8 mi run two days later. Not a good day. By the end of 2 miles my calves felt like they had run a half marathon. In hindsight, perhaps my calves were still too fatigued from the other day and therefore not preferrable for running any distance.
Long story short, I'm just wondering how long it took other peoples legs to get used to the barefoot thing before you could run longer distances. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue with them or not. For now, they're sidelined, but I want to give them another chance. I'm wondering if I tried to rush it or maybe they just aren't for me.
Please share any helpful input you might have.
Thanks!
-Toni
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - FDR