Howdy, I've lurked on the forums here and there for about six months. I'm located on the Georgia coast, and just started running barefoot.
About a year ago, I decided to start running again, and did so in a pair of VFFs. Obviously I didn't do it right because I had some left big toe pain that resulted (I've since locked the VFFs away in the trunk of my car where they currently stay). A few months later, x-rays, MRI, bone scan, a few doctors visits and one podiatrist later, no diagnosis other than "over pronation which causes pain in your left big toe and you need orthotics." I would have gone along if I could get a diagnosis such as "over pronation which causes [insert medical condition]" but I think he was guessing at the injury just as much as I was. Thanks but no thanks; the insoles I put in my shoes at the recommendation of the podiatrist to help my toe pain just made my knees hurt. He had no answer for that. The only thing that really helped was rubbing some Rx anti-inflammatory cream on my toe a few times a day.
Though I wear shoes normally day to day, I try mostly flip-flops when I don't need shoes, and I started walking to the park barefoot last November. A couple months of walking around barefoot in the evenings at the park off and on (as my schedule allowed) and I started running barefoot around the park for about 10 minutes. I'd stick to mostly grass and venture onto pavement here and there with no problems. Now I'm doing 1/2-3/4 mile on the concrete surfaces at the park and getting a blister here or there and a mild shin splint (please no stress fracture! I've been lucky and have never had one) in the left leg. I'm trying to transition (this time) to fully barefoot running and seem to enjoy it so far; if I can get to the 3-mile mark I'll really enjoy it! I used to be a 19:00 5k runner in shoes, at this point I'm just looking forward for a nice leisurely jog barefoot.
About a year ago, I decided to start running again, and did so in a pair of VFFs. Obviously I didn't do it right because I had some left big toe pain that resulted (I've since locked the VFFs away in the trunk of my car where they currently stay). A few months later, x-rays, MRI, bone scan, a few doctors visits and one podiatrist later, no diagnosis other than "over pronation which causes pain in your left big toe and you need orthotics." I would have gone along if I could get a diagnosis such as "over pronation which causes [insert medical condition]" but I think he was guessing at the injury just as much as I was. Thanks but no thanks; the insoles I put in my shoes at the recommendation of the podiatrist to help my toe pain just made my knees hurt. He had no answer for that. The only thing that really helped was rubbing some Rx anti-inflammatory cream on my toe a few times a day.
Though I wear shoes normally day to day, I try mostly flip-flops when I don't need shoes, and I started walking to the park barefoot last November. A couple months of walking around barefoot in the evenings at the park off and on (as my schedule allowed) and I started running barefoot around the park for about 10 minutes. I'd stick to mostly grass and venture onto pavement here and there with no problems. Now I'm doing 1/2-3/4 mile on the concrete surfaces at the park and getting a blister here or there and a mild shin splint (please no stress fracture! I've been lucky and have never had one) in the left leg. I'm trying to transition (this time) to fully barefoot running and seem to enjoy it so far; if I can get to the 3-mile mark I'll really enjoy it! I used to be a 19:00 5k runner in shoes, at this point I'm just looking forward for a nice leisurely jog barefoot.
