Hello!

Makamaespm

Barefooters
May 19, 2016
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Hello All!

Just wanted to take the time to introduce myself: I'm Stephanie and currently in Watertown, NY. This is actually my second try, but first real attempt, at barefooting/minimalism running. I bought all the books (Born to run, Step by Step, and Barefoot running book) when the "fad" really kicked off in 2010/11ish. I am kicking myself in the butt because I never bothered to read them. I just jumped right on in to my first pair of Five Fingers and took off. Then the military banned those, so I bought some Vivobarefoot's and kept going. I actually never got injured but knew several "minimalist" runners who did (looking back, none of us had good running form) plus military started hating hard on minimalism which scared me right back to my traditional shoes.

Fast forward to two months ago: I finally read those amazing books. I was bitten hard by the barefoot bug and the desire to 1) learn to enjoy running and 2) become a better runner in the process. I think I've found a good plan to ease into it and my soles are starting to toughen up. I only wish that there were more barefooters near me to help analyze my form. Which is why I'm so happy that I found this community because I have poked around in a few threads and have already learned so much from others. I'm a very technical person and want to make sure that I'm doing evrything right. There is a fellow barefooter, very technical like me, who reached out about his form and all you wonderful people responded in the most helpful fashion. Someone wrote "learn to love to run" and went into detail that all the technical aspects will fall in line.

Since reading that line, that's what I've been trying to do- learning to love running. Running is something that was forced onto me because of work. But why not make running work for me? I've come to terms that I will never be able to 100% commit to barefoot running because of military regulation. My biggest struggle right now is taking a step back and learning how to run barefoot while going to physical training and running shod three times a week. I know I've just begun my barefoot journey but only time will tell if/when I truly find my zen when running, shoes or no shoes. I prefer the latter.

Happy Wednesday!
 
You may or may not be able to run barefoot in some branches of the military, but some people have found success running in minshoes, while others have gotten away with barefoot. Have you found our Military Barefoot & Minimalist Running forum? There are some stories in there about this.

Try to run and walk barefoot wherever you can and whenever you can, so that when you do have to run in shoes, you will have better form, not as good as barefoot most likely, but better.

I found that I stopped "learning" to love running when I took my shoes off and began running barefoot that very first time. The love just came easily and naturally.

Please feel free to join the New York Chapter through the Chapters link above.

Welcome! :barefoot:
 
Thanks for the welcome. I've been trying to walk out doors barefoot as much as possible for the past month by taking the shoes off for my cool down and general playing outside. Today I tried my first walk/run and ended up with a tiny blister on my left big toe and the forefoot under my forth toe. I might have a small case of BRES, it was all very exciting, lol. I think i will dial it down and try to walk a few more sessions before running again.

I saw the military community but it doesn't seem to be a very active group. I'll keep my eye on it tho. I know they have minimalist boots available now, but they're a bit pricey. Maybe in the future tho :)
 
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Howdy, Stephanie! Congrats on keeping with it, and trying a second time. Take it easy, and enjoy the journey. :) Please keep us posted on your progress.
 
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Welcome from an old soldier. We still have some unit commanders at Fort Bragg that don't let any of their soldiers wear Five Fingers or go barefoot, as several young soldiers who found the "fad" like you did a few years ago injured themselves, as they tend to do going into something full tilt without always preparing well first. Some commanders will allow them, but only for PT on your own. Keeping soldiers fit for deployment makes sense, but so does letting them do what works for them within some guidelines. I hope you can find opportunities to balance this out within your military career. Glad to have you with us!
 
Welcome from an old soldier. We still have some unit commanders at Fort Bragg that don't let any of their soldiers wear Five Fingers or go barefoot, as several young soldiers who found the "fad" like you did a few years ago injured themselves, as they tend to do going into something full tilt without always preparing well first. Some commanders will allow them, but only for PT on your own. Keeping soldiers fit for deployment makes sense, but so does letting them do what works for them within some guidelines. I hope you can find opportunities to balance this out within your military career. Glad to have you with us!


how are you managing the balance between shod and barefoot? luckily, I have the freedom to do my own thing, but since I'm still beginning and learning I am shying away from minimalist shoes. I think that once my current shoes reach it's end of life I will invest in minimalist for PT. also, do you wear minimalist boots? if so how do they fare if/when you ruck? I'm short and horrible at rucking as is, I'm worried if I go full tilt into minimalism I may very well end up with an injury.