So, having read—and loved—Born to Run, as well standing tall as one of the world’s biggest Nike haters, I recently decided to purchase a pair of funky-toes running shoes … the ones without much padding; the ones that look like scuba gear.
And … I love them. Love them, love them, love them. I love the THUMP sound my feet make against the ground; I love feeling the grass and the mud and the pavement, as if I were running sans protection. I feel faster and more powerful.
That said, I don’t think my body will survive. Just too much pounding. Went five miles today, mostly on pavement, and I’m curious whether I’ll be able to stand tomorrow sans pain. Right now I feel great, but my big toe ripped open, courtesy of the rubber-vs-skin rubbing.
Anyone else go through this? Any thoughts?
Ya
Should have worn Nike’s.
Your feet would have loved you for it.
Other than that – QUIT running on pavement!!!
Not only tears your feet up but you have a good possibility of being a cripple in 20 years.
Run on sawdust trails, your joints will last longer.
And take it easy in the beginning, your calves will thank your for it. Only go “barefoot” a few hundred yards at first, then add a few hundred each week.
My sister swears on her Vibram Five Fingers. She credits them with with saving her knee and keeping her able to run, but I also know she started out really, really slowly in them like some of the comments on your Facebook said. Run 4 miles in regular shoes, then for a few minutes in the VFFs at the end and gradually increasing her use of them.
I’ve always been too risk-averse to try them or other minimalist shoes, but dealing with some knee issues (IT Band Syndrome, which flared up badly but seems under control w/stretching and PT, and what seems to be a so-far pretty mild case of runners’ knee) recently has led me to at least reconsider trying them.
I would try trails, too. That’s where I wear my ‘barefoot’ shoes. Pavement is too hard.