Vibrams

You really don't need them. You can strengthen them in other ways.

What I suggest you do, after completing your track workouts, is do a slow cool down mile barefoot on the track.

Week 1: Track workouts & 1 mile barefoot cool down

Week 2: Track workouts & 1.25 mile barefoot cool down

Week 2: Track workouts & 1.5 mile barefoot cool down

You get the idea. Just keep adding miles...

You can also buy something like the New Balance Minimus or, even better, the cheaper Nike Zoom Streak XC 2 and run some short, easy miles in them on the road. No more than 2-3 miles to start. These shoes will force you to develop proper foot strike because the heel-to-toe ratio is low.

milehigh wrote:

Against my better judgement I find myself wanting a pair of fivefingers. For those that have them, what do you think of them? What kind do you have?

I am a competitive runner (I do track workouts and race frequently). I've heard that it's harder to incorporate them into the routine when you are actually training hard for something. So how did you do this?

I have no intention of running in them 100% of the time. I will race in spikes/flats and workout in flats, but I feel like they would be useful for strengthening my feet.

I have had two athletes run in them during high school track and cross country in the past year. These are the only two who have had injury issues - after getting them!

The remind me of Nike Shox/Frees - FAD Gear!

my attraction to them is that i enjoy running barefoot on the grass and they would allow me to go on trails - which i would really like. i think they look pretty stupid honestly.

i do think there is some merit to strengthening the foot and other muscles that are less utilized when running in cushiony shoes. i have a high arch and get plantar problems frequently. i also have trouble just walking around in any shoes that don't have an arch or that i cant wear my orthotics in - which i dont like! i was hoping some barefoot running would let me be more comfortable in other shoes too.

in response to your athletes who got injured - im not surprised. assuming that they didnt properly transition into running with them its not unlikely that they got injured. this doesnt mean that vibrams should be discounted entirely as an option though

RuppPollenCount.org wrote:

You really don't need them. You can strengthen them in other ways.

What I suggest you do, after completing your track workouts, is do a slow cool down mile barefoot on the track.

Week 1: Track workouts & 1 mile barefoot cool down

Week 2: Track workouts & 1.25 mile barefoot cool down

Week 2: Track workouts & 1.5 mile barefoot cool down

You get the idea. Just keep adding miles...

You can also buy something like the New Balance Minimus or, even better, the cheaper Nike Zoom Streak XC 2 and run some short, easy miles in them on the road. No more than 2-3 miles to start. These shoes will force you to develop proper foot strike because the heel-to-toe ratio is low.

thanks for the advice. I will give running barefoot after workouts a try before I buy anything and I'll look into those shoes.

If you are looking for a super minimalist shoe like the vibrams, try going for the Soft Star RunAmocs. They are breathable, pretty light and have great feel if you go for the 2mm sole. Running on grass in them is glorious.

milehigh wrote:

RuppPollenCount.org wrote:

You really don't need them. You can strengthen them in other ways.

What I suggest you do, after completing your track workouts, is do a slow cool down mile barefoot on the track.

Week 1: Track workouts & 1 mile barefoot cool down

Week 2: Track workouts & 1.25 mile barefoot cool down

Week 2: Track workouts & 1.5 mile barefoot cool down

You get the idea. Just keep adding miles...

You can also buy something like the New Balance Minimus or, even better, the cheaper Nike Zoom Streak XC 2 and run some short, easy miles in them on the road. No more than 2-3 miles to start. These shoes will force you to develop proper foot strike because the heel-to-toe ratio is low.

thanks for the advice. I will give running barefoot after workouts a try before I buy anything and I'll look into those shoes.

No problem...I want to add that you might want to start with a 800m barefoot cool down after your track workout then transition back into your trainers to finish your cool down. That was a typo in my first post. 1 mile might be a little ambitious for some. Good luck and go slow the first time around.

DO NOT run barefoot on HARD Surfaces - i.e. the TRACK.

Why is this stuff so difficult!?!?!?!?!

Why don't you just buy some pumps? They'll give you the same benefit at a fraction of the cost.

I had these back in the day:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Twilight-Zone-Pump_1990.jpg&imgrefurl=http://counterkicks.com/2009/11/11/exclusive-reebok-pump-inventor-interview-paul-litchfield-part-3-of-3/&h=485&w=600&sz=42&tbnid=yEujIWH8s1C4xM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=111&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dreebok%2Bpumps%2B1990%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=reebok+pumps+1990&hl=en&usg=__HZsYU1rHR-Rd4H4oCnDr_AA89aE=&sa=X&ei=3MjvTZGhHMbegQeaoqGVDw&ved=0CDMQ9QEwAw&dur=363

pumps? not sure what you mean by that.

why cant you run barefoot on hard surfaces?! please explain

After 3-4 short (2-5) runs in them on some pretty safe surfaces (treadmill, bike path), I have taken to wearing them for a normal run, 6-12 miles, one night per week. I have the Bikila model. No significant injury issues either immediately before or after starting with them.

Just wear 'em on the dirt and the grass, and after 6 months or so, you can start thinking about wearing them on the track, etc while doing fast stuff. Only walk in them for the first few weeks -- it is a big adjustment walking barefoot outdoors, and is very different than walking barefoot around the house.Keep working out in your trainers for the rest of it.

kjlandis wrote:

After 3-4 short (2-5) runs in them on some pretty safe surfaces (treadmill, bike path), I have taken to wearing them for a normal run, 6-12 miles, one night per week. I have the Bikila model. No significant injury issues either immediately before or after starting with them.

...Vibram "shoes"+ high mileage=stress fractures/happy physical therapists & doctors!!!

ERRRRRRRRR wrote:

DO NOT run barefoot on HARD Surfaces - i.e. the TRACK.

Why is this stuff so difficult!?!?!?!?!

A few laps around a track will not hurt you. Especially if you are doing it only once/twice a week. Fine...if you find a nice grassy noll, run on it for 4 to 8 minutes.

I run 95+ miles per week of which 10-15 miles per week is in vibrams, 3-6 miles in my Nike Zoom Streak XC 2 and the rest of my mileage is my $30 bottom of the line Adidas trainers that I keep buying from Sports Authority. I'm a D1 runner and i've been doing this pattern for over a year and half and have had no major injuries and, other than sore calfs, very little aches and pains. My longest run in Vibrams is 9 miles with about 5 being pavement and the other four on hard pack motorcycle/atv trails. There is no other feeling like flying through a tree covered trail in vibrams; and for those of you that will say "until you hit a rock or stump and have to crawl back"....well your stupid if you do that because when you run barefoot you naturally compensate for obstacles such as those and you become a lot more aware of the trail. Plus it's awesome when you fly by, whisper quiet, someone in there clunky trainers making it sound as if their trying to pound their way through the ground and you scare the crap out of them!

I agree 100% that Vibrams and barefoot running are definitely a slow process to build into. If you rush it your shins, achilles and calfs will be hating you for at least a week.

thanks for the input. this is exactly why i want them. it just sounds exhilerating to run on a trail basically barefoot. i know it will take a while to build up to being able to do decent length runs in them but im willing to do try.

for those who have been running barefoot for a while and are competitive runners: is it weird to go back and forth to trainers or flats for workouts? i really dont think i will ever get to the point where i will run in vibrams for track workouts, nor do i have the desire to. it just seems weird though to try to go back and forth once you are comfortable enough going barefoot. almost like you are trying to teach your body two different styles of running. not sure if that makes sense.

i guess you would just go to a more minimalist shoe for workouts?

Absolutely love to walk around in them; Inversely, I wouldn't think of running in a pair regularly....