:D Barefoot Running

[Skids]

I would also look at going "minimalist" in all your shoes if you can, this will help to stretch out your calves, achilles etc.
I found that going barefoot then putting a normal shoe on with a heel then back to minimalist fell shoes wasnt doing my feet the best chance of adapting.

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Sorted already! My day to day shoes are now barefoot vivo (a pair of black leather dharmas and brown suede oaks, both with insoles removed) for that very purpose. As far as running shoes goes I'm in mudrocs on the fells as much as I can, but practicalities dictate that I still do some running on tarmac in shoes that allow me to (excuse the bad language) heel strike - otherwise the state of my calves/achilles would limit me to rather low mileage I'd soon lose what little fitness I currently have. I made the mistake a couple of weeks ago of doing a little 'barefoot' run after which I put on my asics for a few more miles - it felt natural and good to carry on running with a forefoot strike, so I did. The result - a week or so off with a calf strain

But yes - I agree - ultimately I'd like to be doing all my running in minimalist shoes - I've got a brand new pair of cushioned shoes sitting in their box in my wardrobe as my old ones are due for replacement (based on the so called expert advice), but I'm determined to never use them if I can help it.

[Spyros76]

I think when ascending during mountain/fell running, the calves and achilles strech much more than "normal"

[Twister]

Sorted already! My day to day shoes are now barefoot vivo (a pair of black leather dharmas and brown suede oaks, both with insoles removed) for that very purpose. As far as running shoes goes I'm in mudrocs on the fells as much as I can, but practicalities dictate that I still do some running on tarmac in shoes that allow me to (excuse the bad language) heel strike - otherwise the state of my calves/achilles would limit me to rather low mileage I'd soon lose what little fitness I currently have. I made the mistake a couple of weeks ago of doing a little 'barefoot' run after which I put on my asics for a few more miles - it felt natural and good to carry on running with a forefoot strike, so I did. The result - a week or so off with a calf strain

But yes - I agree - ultimately I'd like to be doing all my running in minimalist shoes - I've got a brand new pair of cushioned shoes sitting in their box in my wardrobe as my old ones are due for replacement (based on the so called expert advice), but I'm determined to never use them if I can help it.

Skids, Ditch the Asics, I hold them fully responsible for my ankle injury last year (3 months off.) I reckon that you might need to have a month where you go pure minimalist, barefoot/aqua shoe/VFF/etc. But kerb the milage build it up slowly, plenty of stretching don't go too far/too fast... basically start running from the beginning again. Essentially this is what anyone who transitions should bare in mind. Personally this is how I did it, very, very slowly. building up mileage in VFF's and barefoot and then using one type of running shoe only (which is the X-talon, so very flat). I try my best not to run on roads, but if I do it's in VFF's and I can't run more than 5-6 miles on tarmac before my brain explodes anyway.

IMO barefoot/minimal make road running much more enjoyable.

I would like to be a pure barefooter, but I would also like to be a mountain runner and the two don't go together that well, so It's a compromise. What we can do though, and I am adamant about this, is throw out all our high heel clunkers!

[Clash City Rocker]

Born to Run now finished and long before I go tto the end I determined that I would be going barefoot so tonight I have joine dthe clan. Ran up Wansfell with shoes but once over the back I found a great path to go barefoot of course I checked no one was around as it felt somehow like i was breaking a taboo. Managed a wonderful springy third of a mile and would have gone further but was really surprised how cold my feet got despite if having been a sunny and warm day. It was about 6pm so it was cooling down. But I will be having much much more of this it felt so good.

[AJF]

just to let everyone know that office are doing some minimal shoes that can pass as work office shoes yet are practically barefoot.

No heel no cushioning, soft leather and very flexible. Feels like slippers, looks like work shoes and only £30

http://www.office.co.uk/mens/office/.../6786/18333/1/

better in the shop than in the picture. Only thing is they may not last through winter.

[Twister]

The problem with most shoes, even the minimalist ones, is that they have a raised heel.

Just found a link to this on the Huaraches forum:

http://antonkrupicka.blogspot.com/20...-footwear.html

Anton describes how he has cut a bit of the heel of his shoes, I think he may have even butchered a pair of F-lites. He also writes a lot about minimalist footwear.

[Spyros76]

I just read the article and Anton writes that he was very satisfied with the F-lite 250 (which i think is dicontinued)

[Inov-8 Insider]

Anton wears inov-8 but is sponsored by another large American brand

[bfluc]

If you want to see what Anton is doing on some shoes here is a trailer from Indulgence movie...

http://www.negativesplit.net/indulge/teva.html

[Spyros76]

Maybe he was doing that because he didn't want to change the brand of the shoes and loose the sponsoship. I think it is better to look for a shoe that suits you best than trying to modify a certain shoe when it is not the best choice for you.