Question about BF running...

SoleSolace

SoleSolace

Barefooters
Sep 20, 2011
60
0
0
#1
I'm a complete newbie to running to these forums and BF running in general. I started out a couple of weeks ago by taking the insoles out of my Reebok Realflex and ran with no issues. Check! After giving that a week to see if I had issues, I went out and bought myself a pair of the Bikilas. I get a little pain when I run in them, mostly up the back of my calf on my right leg. Since I can handle 2 miles in them without significant discomfort, I'm going to count them as a 'check' too.

My problem came with I tried to run the same distance, completely BF, that I was able to run in my Bikilas. I had no issues with the run itself but had some serious problems afterwards. The right side of my foot, directly under my pinky toe to the outside, felt like it was going to just slide off of my feet.

My question is, does this sound like a form issue to you long-time BFers? I do know that I had a mid-foot strike and that I tend to land on the outside of my foot and then flatten out. Would really appreciate any and all input!
 
#2
Welcome, Sole.  Sounds to me

Welcome, Sole. Sounds to me like you're doing way too much for your experience level and your body's musculoskeletal system. Two miles barefoot to start out with is too much for most people. You are stretching your connective tissues and stressing your bones more than they are ready to take at this point, since they have been nearly idle and atrophied in your previous footwear. Two miles in minfootwear is even worse, since footwear of any kind will limit your ability to tell if you are running properly. (With transitional footwear comes transtional injuries.) We can disregard the Reebox as having any positive affects toward your minimalist running, since those are not minimal even with the inserts removed. How long did you run in the VFFs before running barefoot? The injury you describe is a new one for me. Do you remember kicking anything?
 
#3
If you have not already done

If you have not already done so, I'd recomend you pick up a book or 2 on barefoot running. "Barefoot Running Step by Step by Ken Bob Saxton" is the top of my list. I was already running barefoot, but still getting the blisters you're getting (though not as bad) and his chapter on form was a tremendous help!

There is a lot of information in the "Library" section that can help as well. Form is king.

I am very familiar with blisters...HUGE ones, in the same location you are referring to. I got mine from forcing the form. I could go into a long list of possible causes and solutions, but your body knows better than I do and running form is tantamount to finger prints. My only advice is, study up on form until you have it in your head and you can visualize, then imagine you are running on ice and anything you do that would make you slip is wrong and will cost you skin and finally and most important, listen to your feet and have fun!

One more tip when you're starting out, stop and hold still every so far while you're still working on the form. You tend not to feel the hot spots that indicate you're working up a blister or already have one, until you stop running. Take inventory and make correctins and try it out again. If not, you'll get to the end, blistered and skinned and have to wait till you heal to try and fix what you were doing wrong.

Hope that helps.

-Jonny
 
#4
Thanks Barefoot! You're

Thanks Barefoot! You're probably correct in saying that 2 miles might be a little out of league. I figured (probably incorrectly) that since I spend a majority of my time in flip-flops and/or completely barefoot, that my feet were a little more conditioned than your average BF starter. I guess I was mistaken! I actually started running barefoot before I purchased my VFFs. I picked them up in hopes that I'd be able to continue running barefoot-ish through the winter. I'm relatively sure I didn't kick anything during my run and I've dealt with this problem the last three times I've attempted to run barefoot so it's probably a combination of too far and an unbalanced form.

Thanks Jonny! I have done a decent amount of reading about barefoot running over the past month or so but I guess I should break down and buy Bob's book. I keep hearing about it over and over. I'm just the stubborn, want to do it my own, type. I'll give the breaks a shot, see if I can feel the damage happening while I'm running. Oddly enough, I've never actually seen a blister. I just assumed that's what I'm dealing with because that's the best analogy I could give for what I was feeling. My feet are pretty callused (from a combination of walking barefoot constantly and playing sports - cletes suck!) so the blister was probably starting to form under the callus.

I really appreciate all the advice! I was pretty bummed out by the results of my first few runs, thinking that the whole barefoot thing might not be for me. I was just sick and tired of dealing with knee problems anytime I ran more than 5 miles. The pain was ridiculous. Anyways, I'll give Bob's book and shot and see what I can do about my form/cadence. Thanks!
 
#5
On your next barefoot run,

On your next barefoot run, think about bending your knees a little more and lifting our toes before you set your foot down. Be sure you are lifting your feet and not your knees. All of this will help to ensure you are running gently. Hopefully, it is just a form issue that can be corrected before a real injury sets in.
 
#6
I found on my right foot I

I found on my right foot I would twist it just enough that my little toe would start loosing skin and become a bit bloody especially when increasing my speed. I found it was a combo of overstriding on that side as well.

So try reducing your stride and let your entire foot land evenly on the ground. Lift off without twisting. Keep your cadence high for a smoother ride:)
 
#7
Thanks Kent and Barefoot! I

Thanks Kent and Barefoot! I plan on putting in at least a mile tonight, BF. I'll make the rest stops, short stride, and lifting of my feet my goals for my run and see if that doesn't improve things at all.
 
#8
Try not to go by time or

Try not to go by time or distance but rather feel. Nice to have a goal to work towards but better for your feet if you listen to them when they start saying something is going to very painful tomorrow and you will be taking more time off from running than you would of liked.

But most of all have fun and relax:)
 
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