BF vs VFF in HM?

JosephTree

JosephTree

Barefooters
Sep 7, 2010
2,526
1,871
113
67
Near Valley Forge, PA
#1
I'm challenged as I read about Smelph's success in running his first HM distance: I have a 13.1 mile race coming up May 1 and want to run BF. My problem is that I know the course, having had the chance to run it for a workout last summer. It has a section about 5.5 miles long of crushed stone which is a killer. I've thought of going out BF and carrying my Bikilas, and taking them off as we get back to nice smooth pavement. I'm now leaning to just keeping it simple and running the whole thing in my VFFs, but am sort of dissappointed at the thought.

Anyone care to contribute to my confusion?
 
#2
I think it depends what you

I think it depends what you want out of the race. If you just want to run and have fun and don't really care about your time go for it barefoot and bring your vff's for the rocky portions. If you are worried about time I would probably recommend your vff's the whole race.

For me if I am going to pay for a race then I am going to shoot for a time. So I probably wouldn't run another race barefoot. Unless I had other barefooters to hang out with.

How feasible is the crushed stone barefoot?
 
#5
Ouch! That surface sounds

Ouch! That surface sounds really awful! I don't think there's any sin in wearing protection for a bit & going bare for a bit. You'll still run 8 miles barefoot which is great! I say go for it. Use those VFFs as hand weights!
 
#6
Run the parts barefoot that

Run the parts barefoot that you can and strap your VFFs onto your waist belt using them only as needed.
 
#7
Keep it simple !  Forget the

Keep it simple ! Forget the VFF it's too much everything including insole cushion. Listen the whole running pure BF is way over rated. I assume you are fairly expereinced at BF running. Get a set of huraches. You'll like those much better with your overall feet much more exposed then VFF. If you don't like the thong style there are some great alternative method ties, and options on sole thickness. This is really the way to go........Your still using a natural running gait. That is all that matters. Trust me you'll still get all the odd looks, and probably more in hurraches then VFF being more of your foot is exposed.
 
#8
I like the idea of huaraches,

I like the idea of huaraches, and they're much more attractively priced than VFFs. Tween now and then I'll get aholt of some and take'm for a spin. Otherwise, I think I'm worrying too much. Whatever I do will work out fine. Y'all are a great well of advice. It's mostly conflicting, but still, it's great advice, and I thank you.
 
#10
JosephTree wrote:I like the

JosephTree said:
I like the idea of huaraches, and they're much more attractively priced than VFFs. Tween now and then I'll get aholt of some and take'm for a spin. Otherwise, I think I'm worrying too much. Whatever I do will work out fine. Y'all are a great well of advice. It's mostly conflicting, but still, it's great advice, and I thank you.
Click to expand...

Just to create some more conflict, I can't stand running in my huaraches. Vff's are far better in my mind. However huaraches are the closest to being barefoot.
 
#11
Joseph, if you live near the

Joseph, if you live near the course, why don't you test your ability on that rocky section barefoot. Take it in small doses at first. With barefoot running you need to push past the boundaries sometimes, you will be amazed on what you can achieve. If it's too much, go with the footwear.
 
#13
Barefoot Gentile

Barefoot Gentile said:
Humboldt-explorer said:
Listen the whole running pure BF is way over rated.
Click to expand...



I wonder what Ken Bob, or Barefoot Rick would have to say to this statement.....
Click to expand...

Well if your so concerned why don't you ask them ? I see two stlyes of runners. 1- heel striker. 2 - using a correct natural running gait.

The words barefoot runner are heavily overused. Why ? Folks with min shoes on feet use the term. Folks with BF use the term. Frankly as long as it is min on your foot I don't care about the footwear. What really matters is that your using a natural running gait. Which is what BF runners promote. So yeah why don't you ask Bob and Rick about that ?

VFF has insole cushiuon on top of the outsole. The insole cushion is not needed for us. If you want to have a natural running gait with more feel, but still protection in gravel then the huraches would be more natural then VFF. Why don't you ask Bob and rick about that ?

Frankly I don't find a damn thing attractive about running BF on asphalt. Which is why I choose BF on beach, and huraches on gravel trails. I don't waste my time on the asphalt environment cause I have other more enjoyable environments to choose from.

You can simply put huraches on, and get the same result with a natural running gait. You can get that same result with VFF, but you have the insole cushion.

Generally I do think it is a great idea to practice true BF, but once you have the proper body posture/technique down. I see it as perfectly acceptable to wear something very minimal.

At the end of the day I consider myself using a natural running gait. This would be a more proper term. This includes folks in min shoes as well as true BF. As both parties are using the same technique. Then heel strikers would be in another category.

Frankly I could not careless what everyone else does, or says. The OP can wear whatever he desires. He asked for suggestions, and I gave it. As others may also do the same.

By the way I don't consider Bob, or Rick god. They may share whatever ideas they like. I'll still have my own ideas afterwards. If you take a moment to think about it we are all in favor of a natural running gait. Our muscle chain, joints, etc is not going to be overly picky between a pure barefoot, and huraches(or even a VFF with insole for that matter). The difference is when you add the heel striker in the mix.

I laugh at the people saying bad things about the BF runner movement. If the moveemnt was more focused on promoting a "natural running gait", and less on barefeet. I think the movement would be taken much more seriously by a larger part of society.



The OP should do what makes him most comfortable.......
 
#14
Mmmm, huaraches.  They aren't

Mmmm, huaraches. They aren't for everyone and tying them seems to give some people difficulty but I love mine. Plus, you can probably tuck them into the back of your shorts when going BF.

Abide just doesn't want to admit that he never learned to tie his shoes!

Has anyone tried using duct tape for those "just can't go barefoot" situations? I was wondering about it this morning while pulling miniature gravelette out of my feet with tweezers and a magnifying glass.
 
#15
SaraLord wrote:Abide just

SaraLord said:
Abide just doesn't want to admit that he never learned to tie his shoes!
Click to expand...

That is so true. The only way I could stop them from flopping around was tightening them up to where it becomes restrictive. I do love simplicity of them and the complete flatness of the sole. And they are my shoe of choice for everything but running.

I've tried using rope and strapping with the same results. My next expiriment is going to be 5/8 inch cotton strap attahced at 5 places. Kind of overkill but who knows maybe it'll work.
 
#16
I run on a trail here that

I run on a trail here that has that crush and run gravel on it and it is doable completely bare foot. I will say that it is painfull and can leave some wicked bruises especially on the arch of my foot. I really prefer just using my bikilas on that 1 mile stretch of trail. I dont have as many problems on the riverrock section even though the rocks are the same size because they arent as sharp.
 
#17
I looked at many alternative

I looked at many alternative tie methods before getting huraches. I liked parts of some alt ties, but no one alternate tie technique was yelling at me. So I basically created my own. In fact the combination I used I think is in my most recent blog post in my signature. The top video was my inspiration. Then the bottom video is me with a different finsh. For me the tie method has worked beautifully from day 1. Even on trails running up, down steep hills, sticks, etc. My method simply has worked great. So I really can't relate to the tie method being difficult. For the conditions I use them for it makes for wonderful running, and I get plenty of odd looks. Just as many as doing BF in the past on other surfaces.

If I was not using huraches. What would I use ? Is a good self question, and not one I can answer now. In reality I don't need to answer since I use huraches. A VFF just does not strike me as a realistic option for many reasons.....
 
#18
I've had the pleasure of

I've had the pleasure of attending one of Barefoot Ken Bob's workshops. He calls rocky areas or gravel "nutrition" the soft stuff is like ice cream he says. It's important for your body to get the nutrients it needs and it's important for your feet to learn to run on those surfaces. I like the advice above about going out and trying little by little, you still have several months left. I also don't like huaraches because I can never get the laces to feel right. Also if BF Ken Bob reads this I hope that I did not miss represent something you've said or taught if so feel free to correct me.
 
#19
Yeah I probably am not the

Yeah I probably am not the best person to talk to about footwear. Part of the reason I don't like them is because I don't really use them, or really care too. So my Huaraches idea will probably never come to fruition, since I have already spent a lot of money on a shower shoe...

Also sometimes it helps to listen to people who have more experience doing something than you do. I for one run better barefoot than in shoes. I owe Ken Bob a lot for guiding me down the barefoot path.
 
#20
In order to get to that

In order to get to that "natural" running gait, MOST of us have to first relearn how to run, and that means shedding all footwear and starting from scratch. Otherwise, what happens is we see too many people suffering from too much too soon. This is where the Barefoot can't be beat thinking comes in. MOST people who truly make the sacrifice to ditch the shoes, their speed, and their distance and start over don't suffer from TMTS/overuse injuries. It's the ones who make the jump from traditional footwear to minimal thinking that they can continue running at the same pace and at the same distances who end up getting injured. Barefoot is NOT overrated; in fact, it can't be emphasized enough.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Support Your Club

Natural Running Center

Forum statistics

Threads
19,154
Messages
183,629
Members
8,702
Latest member
wleffert-test

Latest posts

Share this page

Share this page
Top Bottom
Back
Menu