Would you enjoy running if it wasn't for barefoot running?

Barefoot Gentile · Feb 19, 2013

I wouldn't. This thought came to me during a recent run when I had to resort to footwear. I think back to the times when I ran in shoes, a long run for me would be 5 miles. I ran for 18 years like this. It wasn't until 2009 when I started running barefoot, running become much more interesting. I will admit, it was because of the "cool" factor that i was running barefoot, and to me, it brought another dimension to running. Running barefoot also sparked my interest in running longer, and more often. I had zero interest in running marathons in shoes, now the marathon is my favorite distance.

So last week, when the blizzard made me resort to footwear, that run was uneventful, it's almost sad and bizarre I think this way. If I had to run in shoes, would I hate running? Running barefoot brings excitement and challenges, something i need all the time.

Antonio Madriñán · Feb 19, 2013

I never liked running, at least that's what I thought until recently, after running thousands of miles making me that question, I have come to the conclusion that what I like is truly why I run every day. Now if I can say that I like to run, and I like running barefoot.

skedaddle · Feb 19, 2013

I'm always barefoot on the roads, but running on trails is different entirely and often some shoe compromises have to be made to stay safe.
So I'll do whatever keeps me running in the surroundings I enjoy, but I understand your sentiment entirely, there is an added, almost unquantifiable dimension to barefoot running that doesn't exist when running in shoes, at least to me.

migangelo · Feb 19, 2013

if it wasn't for going bf i doubt i would still be running consistently. now when i need to wear shoes i know how to run well so i can enjoy it, some.

Barefoot Gentile · Feb 19, 2013

skedaddle said:
there is an added, almost unquantifiable dimension to barefoot running that doesn't exist when running in shoes

I like this! I just needed to write this, instead of my long winded post.

pilotrunner · Feb 19, 2013

Nope.

Not any more.

I try the VFFs once a year just to remind myself that, evan as a minimal shoe, I hate shoes.

Mikkel · Feb 19, 2013

I've always enjoyed running but going bf just made it even more fun.

DNEchris · Feb 19, 2013

I enjoy my winter time shod running - I much prefer barefoot running though.

Barfuß Chelsea · Feb 19, 2013

Yes.

I started barefooting because I fell in love with running and was looking for a way to get and stay healthy and uninjured.

However, I definitely agree with you, Gent:

Barefoot Gentile said:
Running barefoot brings excitement and challenges, something i need all the time.

I suppose if I hadn't started running barefoot (and had managed to get and stay healthy) it wouldn't have taken me as long as it has to start getting into the ultra scene. At this point, I know I can run a marathon and I know I can also do it barefoot, so the next logical step is to challenge myself with new terrain (trails) and distance (ultras), right?

NickW · Feb 19, 2013

I started out running in shoes and loved it, at least that is until the Army taught me to hate it. Back when I started trying to run again after several years off it was for a purpose and there was no pleasure in it. Then I found barefoot/minimalist running and found the l0ve for running that I had forgotten about or thought I had completely lost. Now, I can run in shoes or bare and I still love running, but if it wasn't for me trying barefoot 2 years ago I don't know if I would have ever found this love of running again.

flammee · Feb 19, 2013

Go Barefoot · Feb 19, 2013

If I couldn’t run barefoot I would have to give it up and go back to bicycling. In my high school days I never really enjoyed running. Was never really sure why because I actually enjoyed the physical exercise component of running but could never seem to fine tune my stride enough to take up running for exercise and resorted to bicycling instead. It wasn’t until a little over 2 years ago I was walking on the local walk/bike trail that I took off my flip flops (as I’ve always enjoyed going bf) and ran a short distance just for fun. That was the moment I became hooked on running barefoot. After improving my form some and increasing my distance while running completely barefoot I had finally found the reason I disliked running in the past. What kept me from enjoying running in the past was the shoes on my feet as while running barefoot my stride seemed so natural, so smooth an flowing that I now felt I could fully enjoy running the way I had always wished to enjoy running in the past. The sensation of running barefoot is phenomenal and only increases my running experience especially when on varying surfaces.

scedastic · Feb 19, 2013

DNEchris said:
I enjoy my winter time shod running - I much prefer barefoot running though.

+1
With my feet in soft stars, in fluffy blowing snow drifts, or on icy patches, it's rather gleeful. I never liked running in those conditions in cushioned shoes. And I"m glad for the protection from the elements, with that "I'm a little snow elf" delight.
I'm also happy in my huaraches, but not nearly as much as when I'm bf on nice surfaces.

However, I would say that overall, if I knew I could never run pure bf again, it would certainly take out a lot of motivation to keep at it. It is especially wonderful to feel the nice cool pavement under foot in the spring time----somethign to look forward to.

theshortwhiteguy · Feb 19, 2013

Other than photography (which is my profession), running is the only other thing I have done the longest. Both happen to that mistress in my life that I love to hate...or hate to love...I can't remember which.

jldeleon · Feb 19, 2013

For all intents and purposes there is nothing even remotely like barefoot running, except, barefoot running. My formerish runningish partnerish (who shall remain nameless until Nick sees this) wussed out this year regarding shoes. He is the one that convinced me to go running ALL last winter COMPLETELY barefoot all the time, rain, mud, freezing temperatures. The first 10 minutes of the run I'd always think I was going to die, but after that it was great.

When he wussed out this year, so did I, and started wearing a lot of minimalist shoes -huaraches, Moc3s, Vibrams, etc. Just TODAY I decided (conveniently about a month before spring starts) to "F$%# this s#^$!" and ditched the shoes on my run today. WOW. The reflexological processes that occurs when your bare foot touches the ground is just -magical! NOTHING compares to it.

What was the question? I would not "hate" running in shoes. But I would dislike it. I've had a hard time getting back into running recently (I was out 3 months with mono) -and after todays run I feel that GIDDY feeling I used to get after running. Perhaps that is why!!!

Mike R · Feb 19, 2013

Mikkel said:
I've always enjoyed running but going bf just made it even more fun.

+1

NickW · Feb 19, 2013

jldeleon said:
For all intents and purposes there is nothing even remotely like barefoot running, except, barefoot running. My formerish runningish partnerish (who shall remain nameless until Nick sees this) wussed out this year regarding shoes. He is the one that convinced me to go running ALL last winter COMPLETELY barefoot all the time, rain, mud, freezing temperatures. The first 10 minutes of the run I'd always think I was going to die, but after that it was great.

When he wussed out this year, so did I, and started wearing a lot of minimalist shoes -huaraches, Moc3s, Vibrams, etc. Just TODAY I decided (conveniently about a month before spring starts) to "F$%# this s#^$!" and ditched the shoes on my run today. WOW. The reflexological processes that occurs when your bare foot touches the ground is just -magical! NOTHING compares to it.

What was the question? I would not "hate" running in shoes. But I would dislike it. I've had a hard time getting back into running recently (I was out 3 months with mono) -and after todays run I feel that GIDDY feeling I used to get after running. Perhaps that is why!!!

On my mobile waiting for class to start, but how the heck do you blame me? You have Mike and everyone else that is completely barefoot (and very vocal about antishoes) almost all of the time, yet I'm your influence? Sounds like a load of crap to me. I love barefoot, I just also prefer minshoes when barefoot is painful. Not to mention my stinking injury which made it really hard just to walk on all the concrete around here.... Hopefully once I get healed I will be able to go back to mostly barefoot, so don't go blaming me for your wussieness, that's all on you. ;-)

Barefoot TJ · Feb 19, 2013

I just want to be able to run again.

jldeleon · Feb 19, 2013

Nick - you read that wrong. Read it again, dude.

Lomad · Feb 19, 2013

I do enjoy running shod. I haven't run barefoot with any consistency in a year, and I've come to realize that it was my approach to running, not the running itself that was a problem in the old days. BFR definitely sparked a joy in running again and got me back into running.

Truth be told, barefoot running was feeling like a chore long before I got hurt and needed an alternative. There was too much to worry about: weather, terrain conditions, etc. I couldn't 'just run (as is my preference).' Before I went back to full shod running I tried it all. Huaraches? Yep. Super minshoes (Altra Adams)? Check. It wasn't until I tried a pair of 'traditional trainers' that I was able to run free and not worry so much about things.

tl;dr yes I enjoy running whilst not barefoot.

Would you enjoy running if it wasn't for barefoot running?

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