Help me decide:

That was the big question for

That was the big question for me. Do I give upmy conditioning to start from scratch and go completely barefoot? Or, do I mix it in where I can, wear shoes on my long runs, and slow my transition? For me, VFF's were the perfect answer. I use them to protect my still over sensitive feet so that I can keep my milage where I want it...right now thats about 45 miles per week, on my way to 100 by the end of summer. Here's what I do...I cheat LOL. I run as far as I can handle barefoot, then slip on my VFF's. I find I'm going farther every time with fewer issues.

Tricky question. I'm using

Tricky question. I'm using Feelmax Panka (1 mm sole) most in my running - I'm not the most eager to run (2 - 3 times a week about 5 miles) - I'm not come so far that I'm running on barefoot (only short tours on neighbourhood, but not exactly running) - I'm also not so sure if I really want it (Tarahumara uses also "shoes" for protection, so did indians etc...) - ok, that's another discussion.

I felt VFF's on my hand during my Oslo tour and my "outer - opinion" - my first comment is the thickness of the sole and rubber figures... I think it may inhibits the contact with ground. "Fingers" are standard length - how many of us have second toe longer than big toe. And it's quite far away from barefoot feeling (NOTICE: I would like to test VFF's but the size was wrong)

But to your question: I think just use the VFF's and do the 5 miles if it's important to you to get miles otherwise, run barefoot what you manage and that's the tour - to learn your muscles and ligaments to new life takes time - listen your body - it tells you when your feet are ready.



Henri

I would go with running bare

I would go with running bare as far as possible and then switching to minimal shoes, that way you establish your form while bare and it will carry over to when you put the shoes on (probably too late with my response, it was a big weekend!)

 I'm in the same stage of

I'm in the same stage of transition. I just now really started getting TOFP so I'm making myself sit out a little longer. Making myself not run, NEVER thought that would happen. Anyway, I have started going out on my runs with my VFF's on and have been comfortable and kind of thought I was happy just wearing them, and that's enough for me. My body keeps wanting me to go fully barefoot though. So towards the end of my run I've started taking them off. So far I've not done very much at all, maybe 6 or 7 mile total, but I think it's going to work out for me.

Doing it this way, I get the distance and time I need on the run, and towards the end, get a little BF time in as well.

I love a good barefoot

I love a good barefoot trail!

I got TOFP for the first time this weekend, just the last couple of miles and by then I was mostly walking anyway so no big deal. I hope it doesn't last long :-(