Coudn't get that feeling with minimalist shoes

BarefootHim

Barefooters
Apr 3, 2014
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Bangkok
I heard about BTR/barefoot running and got my first Vibram Fivefingers. run for 6 months in 2011 and I changed to huaraches around mid 2012. eventually I switched to almost all barefoot for the last 20 months most of my training are barefoot in parks which more or less barefoot friendly. Some races at 10k(46:30min), 21k(1:46hr) barefoot and a 42k(4:14hr) with few sticky tape under my feet.

I'm very happy with barefoot but there are times that I need to put on some shoes, my luna e.g. some races with rougher surface, longer runs that exceed 21-25k+ (depend on how easy the routes are) and because I mostly train barefoot, 21k. when I put on my huaraches I just couldn't get that feeling of smooth/light landing, movements. I couldn't run fast or run well when I use shoes probably because I always rely on "feetback" from my soles to move my body. (barefoot and barefoot shoes is very different feeling)

Has anyone encounter the same problem? I plan to run 2nd marathon this November hopefully 4:00hr but I really felt I can't run well with shoes now. If the whole 42k is barefoot friendly like my 1st I could just run barefoot or use tape again but it's unlikely

Should I train more with shoes? Should I forget about Sub 4 and slowly learn to handle rough surface? Any advice?
 
Should I forget about Sub 4 and slowly learn to handle rough surface? Any advice?

I would say No and Yes, respectively.

No - do not forget about a Sub 4; I think it's a great goal to work towards, particularly if you think you can achieve it.

Yes - continue to work on learning to handle rough surfaces; it'll allow you to go longer and faster when running BF and allow you to rely less and less on the shoes.

How to achieve the balance between the two is going to be up to you.


I just started running BF about a year ago. Before that, like you and others, I was running in VFF's. For a while after I took those off and started BF, I tended to avoid rougher surfaces as much as I could. This spring though, I've changed that and am deliberately choosing to run on rougher trails and surfaces. Granted, I'm not running the distances or paces that most here do, but I'm finding that the more I run on those rougher surfaces, the better my form, endurance and pace are getting in general, and I'm quite happy with that.
 
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Rougher road type surfaces do offer up a lot of difficulty for me too. I run 99.9% barefoot, and distances have never posed an issue, the issue is always surface related.

They say you can adapt to any surface, but I think thats a load of crap! Ive been running barefoot for... umm... 6 years now? I think? And there are surfaces I cant even stand to walk on barefoot, let alone run.

On a good smooth road (be it asphalt or cement or what not), distance shouldnt matter. A 3 mile road run and a 25 mile road run feel the same to my feet as long as the surface is runable. I feel that if you can run a mile on a surface, then you can run a marathon or longer on the same surface given adequate training.

I wore a pair of VFF's on a trail run the other day and they felt fine, but the second my unshod foot hits a harder surface i feel like everything goes to sheet.
 
I would say head for the rougher surfaces, especially early in your run. I used to be wary of even walking on a certain trail with sharp gravel and now I use it as a test to see where my form is at near the beginning of my runs. If I've been hunched over while working or anything else that throws off my form it shows up right away on the gravel and if I'm doing good I can even run "fast" (for an overweight guy in his late 40s) on that same gravel trail. I was always a pounder when I tried to run in shoes so I'm still trying to unlearn some pretty ingrained bad habits, but the gravel is a great teacher! If you are missing the "feetback" it sounds like your body is already telling you you don't need no stinking shoes to do whatever you want with your running.
All the best,
Scott
 
I
Rougher road type surfaces do offer up a lot of difficulty for me too. I run 99.9% barefoot, and distances have never posed an issue, the issue is always surface related.

They say you can adapt to any surface, but I think thats a load of crap! Ive been running barefoot for... umm... 6 years now? I think? And there are surfaces I cant even stand to walk on barefoot, let alone run.

On a good smooth road (be it asphalt or cement or what not), distance shouldnt matter. A 3 mile road run and a 25 mile road run feel the same to my feet as long as the surface is runable. I feel that if you can run a mile on a surface, then you can run a marathon or longer on the same surface given adequate training.

I wore a pair of VFF's on a trail run the other day and they felt fine, but the second my unshod foot hits a harder surface i feel like everything goes to sheet.
I concur whole heartedly! Myself, everything goes to sheeet with stuff on my feet, unless it's winter, then I have no choice. My run routes consist of pavement, seal coat and gravel. I can never get use to or enjoy the gravel! About the only time it's remotely enjoyable is after a good rain.
 
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Yes I've experienced this dilemma as well. After I got used to barefoot I really do love it though rough surfaces can still be a problem, mainly gravel. I love trails though... so many times I've tried putting on huaraches or minimalist shoes again to do some trails that have gravel, but they never felt right. My run was always off. Actually I've somehow developed a particular problem with minshoes 2-3 years into barefoot running... they cause me really bad cramps under my arches. The kind of cramps that drop you to the ground or at least cause you to have to walk. I still haven't figured out what it is, but pretty much every pair of minshoes/huaraches I have caused this, which is a big problem in the winter when it gets too cold for me to tolerate. I've even debated going back to regular shoes during winter just to see if its something with minishoes but I haven't tried it yet.

Around here there are not many natural trails without traveling far, and I have newly paved bike paths right nearby that is great for barefoot running so I've mainly just run those. I do sometimes to natural trails but I try to pick out the most barefoot friendly ones. I've pretty much given up on the thought of ever being able to race on a rough or gravel trail, but most races here are on the road anyhow. I save the trails for hiking & backpacking, where I can spend more time in nature and enjoy it much more than I could trying to run. Around here the trails aren't really anything more scenic than the bike paths anyhow, or so I tell myself.