Hey from Scotland!!

Twisty

Barefooters
Jul 23, 2012
32
10
8
43
So here I am...... Started running about 2 years ago and from the off! It was trouble. First IT trouble then plagued with shin splints,( I'm very flat footed) had a couple of pairs of running shoes fitted, orthotics, straps, foam rollers and countless trips to the physio.
Just ran my first mud run 3 weeks ago and finished with really sore shins. Someone had mentioned barefoot/ minimalist running. So I've read a little and bought my first pair of minimalist running shoes which would be "inov8 f-lite 195". Good or bad choice???? I dont know. Wearing them all the time and if I'm not wearing them I'm walking around in my bare feet. ( I get some funny looks when I'm walking the streets) hopefully goin to start running this new method in a week or two.
If anyone has any hints or tips on the transistioning, I would love to hear them.
 
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Hi Twisty. Welcome!
The shoes I can't comment on, the brief advice is take it slow and take it easy :)
Where about in Scotland are you? I stayed in Strath Spey for 10 years - I've been in New York for the last 22 though.
 
Thanks Chris, yeah will be taking it easy. It's been along time since I've ran without any pain so looking forward to the new experience. Just hope this style of running suits me:/
I'm from a small fishing town called Dunbar, 30 miles south of Edinburgh.
 
A fine town - as long you're not trying to get through it.
I used to take the A68 over Carter Bar to avoid that coastal mess!

The style of running should suit you. If you can manage short, quick, light, silent steps you'll be well on the way.
Enjoy the journey!
 
The shoes are pretty narrow. I had bought a pair a while back online and found they did not let my toes splay like they are supposed to. Inov8 does have the new bare-x 150's which are zero drop as well as they are supposed to be wider. I have the 155's now which I can say are definitely wider and allow the toes to splay more. The 195's are only 2mm of heel to toe drop so not bad and would help you transition. The 195's are pretty stiff too I think so they will support your foot more than what I consider a true minshoe (minimalist shoe). I really would recommend trying to walk around barefoot as much as possible if you are not wanting to actually run barefoot but are just trying to go to a more minimalist shoe. Being truly barefoot, even just for walking, will help all the little muscles that may have gotten weak in shoes to develop and strengthen. Goodluck Twisty and I hope this advice about the shoes helps!
 
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Run barefoot for short distances at a time each time and take a day off in between each day to make sure you recover well enough to tell if you are making progress or getting injured. After you've done this a few times, you'll have more questions, and we will have more answers. Welcome!
 
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Nick, thanks for the shoe info!
I maybe should have joined the community before going out to buy shoes:/ I really only wear them to travel to work in. Then it's into to big bulky work boots:( mad feeling after I've been goin about in my bare feet all day.) I was looking at the VFFs but someone had mentioned about going to a minshoe for a few months to help with the transition???????
I'm liking the thought of going totally barefooted tho:)

TJ, thanks for the tips & the warm welcome!
Not out running yet still letting the shins heal, hopefully when August comes around I'll start running (SLOWLY) Fingers crossed this method of running works for me. And when I start running I'm sure your all going to get hit with loads of questions:)
 
The best way for most to transition to barefoot is to just go barefoot right from the get go, but some don't ever want to go barefoot but they do want to go more minimalist, in which case a lot of us here still think you should go full barefoot at first. I understand that is not always what people will do though so.... I have no idea which category you fall in, I guess I should have asked first.
 
You'll find that with "zero drop" running your shins are taxes substantially less. However, your calves will get a work out, but after a few runs, your calves will relax, and you shouldn't have to worry about your calves or your shins.
 
Nick,
I didn't know myself what kind of runner I wanted to be,Barefoot or minimalist. Apart from a injury free runner. Always liked running just one thing or another holding me back. But now I do want to be a barefoot runner:)

TJ,
Fingers crossed!

Phil,
Thanx, the guys on here have been brilliant!!! Yous have made me welcome and I have received great advice.
Hopefully when I start running and learn more I can pass it all on to the next person that wants to start this journey! Hope to speak to you again on here!
 
So here I am...... Started running about 2 years ago and from the off! It was trouble. First IT trouble then plagued with shin splints,( I'm very flat footed) had a couple of pairs of running shoes fitted, orthotics, straps, foam rollers and countless trips to the physio.
Just ran my first mud run 3 weeks ago and finished with really sore shins. Someone had mentioned barefoot/ minimalist running. So I've read a little and bought my first pair of minimalist running shoes which would be "inov8 f-lite 195". Good or bad choice???? I dont know. Wearing them all the time and if I'm not wearing them I'm walking around in my bare feet. ( I get some funny looks when I'm walking the streets) hopefully goin to start running this new method in a week or two.
If anyone has any hints or tips on the transistioning, I would love to hear them.
 
Hi Twisty
I had many of the problems you are talking about. I started barefooting a few months ago and have pretty much posted every run at www.barefootbeginner.com. You would just need to to the first post from May and work your way through. The INOV8s are good shoes. I have developed a golden rule. I don't run further in minimalist shoes than I can manage barefoot. I am upto about 3 miles. I also started out with a metronome. Have a read and see what you think. If I can be of any help, just ask. Minimalist shoes are so much fun, just take it easy.

Happy running
Chris
 
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I'm late to the party - welcome aboard Twisty! Yes, take it easy, give yourself plenty of time and experiment a little :)

Inov-8 makes some good shoes but tend to be quite narrow and restrictive. I know the newer one are supposed to be "wider", but that's a relative term.
 
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Hi Twisty, welcome from me too! I can't add much to what others here have already said except that you have some great beaches with nice firm sand near you. Although I think there's some controversy about training on sand, I'd have thought relatively small distances on the stuff would be a good way to get your feet strengthened. I'd also agree strongly with NickW that the best way to transition is by going fully barefoot right away and listen to what your feet and legs tell you. I work in Edinburgh and just ran barefoot into work on those lovely smooth stone footpaths we have here - they really are great to run on. Although the distance is only a bit less than a mile, every little helps!
 
Wow, thanx for the warm welcome guys!! Not been on here for a few days. (Nightshift 6 nights a week and family life= not much time to sit for five minuets)
Chris, I will give your blog a read, give me something to read on my breaks!

Willie_g, no one is ever late for a party.And by the sounds of it this is going to be one long ass party!!!

Stig, Yeah the beaches are beautiful down here. I've read a lot of people saying run....... don't run on sand. I have started going everywhere barefooted for the last couple of weeks. I've walked my self a nice wee two and a half mile route on smooth footpaths. Walk it every other day and strength training on the off days. Going to start running on Monday ( just a little ) and work my way through the route.
What part of Edinburgh you from???
 
It sounds like you're doing the right thing to me, Twisty. Do as much as you can without shoes and you're feet should get a lot stronger and tougher without having to think about it. My hip stability and balance seemed to improve massively when I upped the amout of barefoot time early last year, and being barefoot nearly all of the time means you just aclimatise as the weather turns at the end of the year. I do as much hill walking as possible - my favorite spots are the Lomonds in Fife, and earlier this year I spent days squelching through near zero temperature bogs on Skye. It's really invigorating!

I stay over in West Lothian (north of Bathgate), but work at the Museum in Chambers Street. If you fancy a run sometime, just shout, though with my workload and your shifts I suppose that could be a wee bit tricky...
 
Hi Twisty from Caithness.
I began barefoot running in March and found the treadmill a great help during the transition, I'd start off on the treadmill to warm up and then head out on the road, it worked well I'm running 10k 's barefoot with only one on going niggle but I had that before I started.
Best of luck
Gary
 
Stig, I was wondering about the bare feet come winter time?:/ as for going for a run that would be great, once I've started getting the miles in. Maybe next year sometime? Ive only been in the museum once since it reopened. The next time I'm in with the kids I'll let you know, would be nice to meet. I know Bathgate a little worked there a few times over the years. Hill walking on the Lomonds and in Skye.....you must see some nice scenery. The only thing I've done is a thing called Tough Mudder, I ran that in July. For my own personal achievement tho I would like to run a section of the John Muir way down here in Dunbar. 10 miles from Dunbar to Dunglass that's my goal in bare feet. not want to give myself a date tho just when my feet tell me I'm ready.

Enso, how you doin fella? How long are you on the treadmill for before you go out? Oh and my name is Garry as well!