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I've been experimenting with barefoot about 18 months to two years so .. back then, while I was fell running, probably the majority of my miles were non hill miles. Nowadays, most of my miles are hill miles (7,000 ft+ a week currently) and my calves haven't hurt for a long time. So either the barefoot has helped my hills or (as you say) the hills have helped my barefoot or probably its both ways.
Just started running in the Merrell trail gloves. They are not a fell shoe, but are more suited to trail and general off road than Vibrams or my bare feet.
Got about 16 miles on them so far (one short run, one long run) looking forward to some more fun in these soon.
http://www.merrell.com/UK/en-GB/Prod...ot-Trail-Glove
Those merrells look ace. Where's best to try them on? And what's tge sizing like? Ta
I got a pair from Cotswolds Outdoor store..Quote:
Originally Posted by lowden
They are small to size so half to a full size bigger
These are the ones I've been using for short trail/road runs (6Mile).
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/many-1...8/#INFO-DETAIL
I brought true to size in the trail gloves and they fit me well. So if ordering on-line I suggest order two or three pairs and send the ones that don't fit back. Did a 17 mile hill run in them on Sunday and loved every damn minute, especially when I found myself bounding up the last but one steep hill before the end. Was it the shoes, was it the GU gels? Who knows. All I can say is that these shoes are the best minimalist option I've tried so far... (In the dry).
Almost got some of these last year in Montpellier. I wimped out because I thought they weren't expensive enough for minimal shoes ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilber
I could never get away with barefoot running in my local area, too much broken glass and syringes everywhere. :-/
I want as much cushioning as poss to protect me! Plus I have a bit of a bunion so I run a little bit funny.
Yes, I knew a very good runner who was really enjoying swishing through the autumn leaves when he stepped on some invisible glass which slashed right through his shoe sole and into his foot sole, hurting him very badly and nearly cripping him. Ever since I watch very closely where I am putting my feet. Today running round Woodhouse Moor on the grass I noticed that last night's litter louts had not only left their glass bottles everywhere but even smashed some of them. I did tread on a few small shards before I was aware.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skelton
SKelton are you any relation to Jodg, the likeness is uncanny?Quote:
Originally Posted by Skelton
Ps are you from Skelton, I have friends there?
Thought you'd met Skelton in the flesh till i saw the avatar, could be twins!Quote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak
Came across this in Maya Angelou's book "I know why the caged bird sings" - she lived in the Deep South in the 30's and is describing the differences between blacks and whites: "......they (whites) didn't walk on the balls of their feet the way people (blacks) did - they walked on their heels ....." Elsewhere she mentions she went barefoot all summer, except for Sundays; she was relatively well off compared to most black children, whom I imagine were barefoot most of the time. Interesting to speculate what this would do to muscle/tendon development and running style/form ....and not just in America of course.
I've just made my first pair of Barefoot Ted DIY sandals (using their 4mm rubber sheet), and now looking forward to my first run in them tomorrow. Very good service from the Luna Sandals website, I followed Mandovark's advice and ordered two pairs with one P&P from the USA.
I'm doing almost all my running now in sandals, using shoes only for races, although that may change soon!
I've already converted one running friend to using sandals, more to follow maybe?
I'd be interested if anyone knows of a supplier of the vibram sole material (or anything similar) in Britain. I'd like to have a go at making sandals without importing the material from the states.Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkR
Use an old tyre, that's what the indians use anyway ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Twister
I haven't been able to find anyone in Britain who supplies sheets of Vibram rubber. Some sheets of Vibram Cherry pop up on ebay from time to time, but they're mostly from American sellers anyway. I did find a few UK-based sellers of soling material through Google, but most of what they were selling was either really expensive or didn't look like it would be suitable.Quote:
Originally Posted by Twister
Some people do make sandals out of car tyres like Rob says. Haven't tried it myself, but it would probably work. Otherwise, the postage from the US isn't bad: Luna Sandals charge just under $14 - I ordered three sheets at once last time, so the postage averaged out to not much per sheet.
I may just order the luna kits, do you know how long it takes to come? I've only got another 2 weeks in the UK and we're off to live in France!
a quick one,
running down steep hills in the barefoot style...
I can quite happily run uphill, along flat ground is not an issue in the slightest.
However, when I go down hill, I heel strike, the steeper the hill, the more the heel action...
so, do you barefooter-type-people still run at 90 degrees to the ground and somehow defy gravity in order to "forefoot strike" as you head down a slope (of varying degrees, up to and including nigh on sheer drops)
or is there some secret that I have yet to discover?
Light quick feet is all you need to remember. Don't concentrate on your footstrike, it will sort itself out. Concentrate on lifting your foot before it hits the ground (sounds daft but works)Quote:
Originally Posted by zephr
so is that long strides? or are you doing light quick feet with ridiculously short strides?
Whatever feels right, I don't really think about it that much to be honest. Once you start trying to overthink it you create an artificial stride anyway so just relax and let your feet,legs & brain decide what they prefer.
I do have a slight confession to make however, I haven't actually done any barefoot running since last year, but still using my Vibrams once a week or so depending on what sessions I'm doing. I must get out and do some actually now the weather has warmed up....
You'd probably be pushing it to get them within 2 weeks. They're pretty quick given the low postage costs, but like anything coming from the US they can get delayed. I think Luna do offer a faster service if you're willing to pay more, but you might be as well to wait and have them sent to France.Quote:
Originally Posted by Twister
I can run downhill barefoot without any problems - I know this because I tried it a couple of days ago - but I find it really difficult to explain how. The thing is, when you're barefoot and running on the pavement, landing on your heels just isn't an option. Also, gravity tends to mean that if you're landing badly you'll feel it more than on the flat or uphill. I find that my feet just seem to sort themselves out and land in a way that's comfortable. I need to be barefoot for this to happen: it doesn't seem to work (for me, at least) if I'm wearing even very light shoes.Quote:
Originally Posted by zephr
I must admit to still experimenting with descents, but find that if I do the old brakes off brains off style I end up pretty much mid-foot to a kind of full foot strike. If its mega steep I'll probably start on my heels a bit and then end up mid foot.
You can still bend your knees in a heel strike, and it is possible to heel strike under your centre of gravity. Like my Austrian ski instructor said... "Bendz zee kneeezz"
I've started a blog about minimal running stuff it's http://nearlyshoeless.wordpress.com/ and very much in it's infancy, but I've photoed and reviewed all of the minimaists shoes that I've tried so far. It might be of interest to some folk. Cheers for looking.
My club has been approached by a John Moores University student called Charlotte Apps who is doing a study in biomechanics and gait as part of an Msc in Biomechanics of gait and posture at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). Biomechanics is a growing area of sport science that applies mechanical principles so that structure and function of movement can be studied. She is looking for runners to participate in the project that compares the biomechanics of barefoot running to running in trainers. The project will involve a biomechanical comparison of and the findings could provide an insight into better techniques of running and advantages/disadvantages to being barefoot. The inclusion requirements are: that you regularly run 10km or more a week, are aged 18 to 55 and have been injury free for six months. Normal running trainers and shorts will be needed to be brought along. You would have to go along to Liverpool to be tested so may only apply to people in that area but I think it sounds interesting - I think she is looking for a broad spectrum of fully supported through minimalists to barefoot. I told Charlotte I would post on here to see if anybody is interested. She can be contacted on [email protected] or PM myself and I can pass on details.
Thanks,
Nigel
looks interesting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Twister
I bought a pair of Bare Grips in April and have used them several times a week for 1-2 hours at a time. I find them exhilarating to wear as they are so light. There is no problem descending quickly on rocky paths and the grip is amazing.
I agree. I find the grip comparable to mudclaws. But there is a hole in the upper after just 2 or 3 races. I think too much has been given over to making them light or using wrong materials has compromised quality. Shame, because I love the feel of these shoes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cliveybaby
Hi Nigel,
I haven't raced in them just used them for training runs in the lakes and the Roaches. My previous Inov 8's did wear out on the upper so that may be to come.
I've worn them on stuff like moel eilio, really liked them. You can feel the ground a bit, but I quite like that anyway.
Currently also have talon 190's and already after just 100 miles the mesh is starting to wear.
Just some sort or protective rubber last would greatly increase their durability.
Just been out for a 2 1/2 hour run in these over Bleaklow. It was a mix of rock and peat underfoot and my feet feel great. Great traction through the peat groughs.
I made my DIY sandals a few weeks ago, and have got used to them now; at first the leather strap between the toes felt very strange, and painful. I've used them for a number of runs (the longest being 11 miles) on very flat trails (river banks mainly), so I decided to put them to the test in a race today.
It was the annual village fun run (5k) through the local wood, all on trails, with a mix of stony, grassy and muddy surfaces. Some short & sharp ascents and descents. I had no problem with grip, although sharp cornering was harder, and so was steep descents - I found that very short and fast strides got me down almost as quickly as the others with proper trail shoes. The wet conditions caused the leather laces to stretch a bit, but I decided not to stop to re-tie them. Because the leader took a wrong turn I beat all the shoe-wearers and won the race. My time was about 1 min slower than last year (dry conditions and wearing Walshes) but faster than 2 years ago.
Did the 3P's on Saturday and noticed a runner going round in VFF, any one on here?
I did it on sat too along with what felt like 100,000 other people, saw a bloke with a beard and long hair wearing sandals with white sports socks on but not vibrams, sorry.Quote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak
Were you one of the group of five runners, one had dark peak tracksters on in the pub at the end?
Worthwile having a read at the how to spot fakes on the birthday shoes website. At £40 I doubt that they will be genuine. If you are thinking of getting a pair try field and trek or purekit as they both have sales on now and you can get a pair of treksports for about £80ish.
No I was leading a group of walkers. The dark peaker was probably Richard H who was racing in the BT race (round numbers around their necks)Quote:
Originally Posted by martmason
I think the interesting thing about all this is that it turns out we don't need shoe manufacturers.
A guy in HBT has been running in his own home mede fell shoes for many years. I used to think What the ..!
But I consider the fact that I have various different shoes, occasional barefoot runs, worn out shoes, sometimes my laces come undone and I can't be bothered ding them up etc.
And I come to the conclusion that its not really that shoes are brilliantly designed to support our feet and improve our running
Instead it is our feet that are brilliant and will adapt to running in whatever weird construction we decide to wrap them in (within reason)
The main thing that a shoe offers us is a bit of protection from the sharp bits and some grip on the slippy bits, apart from that our feet are good for it.
So we could all go counter culture and make our own - if we wanted.
Couldn't agree more!Quote:
Originally Posted by andy k
Yeah, I've been wondering for a while about making my own fell shoes.