Anyone train in Vibrams?

[bounceliketigger]

Hi all. Apologies in advance if this is a duplicate--another in from my phone & I don't think it went. Anyway, looking for input...

After a calf injury I started running in Vibrams once or twice a week on a dirt track. Though my legs are typically exhausted & sore, it's not the same as from the injury.

I've only been maxing at 4 miles in the Vibes, but on Friday, in training for the W&D I decided to do 8 on pavement and in my Mizunos. After about 2 miles the toes on my right foot were throbbing. After another mile the toes on both feet were killing me & I only managed to do 6. As soon as the shoes came off I was fine. I haven't run again yet, but am planning to do 8 today in the Vibes, on the dreadmill.

I've never had this issue with the Mizunos before, but I haven't worn them to run since I started in the Vibes. Seems to specific to be coincidence....

Do any of you run in VFF or barefoot? Please share your experiences!! I'm getting worried about what to do for the W&D---VFFs or sneaks?!!

Thanks!
Shanonn

 

[cewait]

Shannon,

It kind of sounds like you are having running shoe issues as much as anything. In theory, you should not have any issue heading back into the shoes after running bare or in Vibrams. What you describe in real simple terms seems to be you lower legs working against the shoe. May want to head to the running shoe store and have them look at the soles of your shoes and Vibrams.

The other issue (even though you did not say blister) could be from running toes next to each other for the first time in a while. If you are describing hot spots like blisters forming look at Injini toe socks.

 

[APrunner]

I run some barefoot, not in VFFs. I also rotate a couple different shoes.

Mizuno does not make a shoe without a bulked up heel. Even their flats have at least a 9mm heel to toe drop. Of course this is dramatic compared to VFFs. They are good about having accomodating fits, but I wish they would flatten their shoes some.

I have no trouble going back and forth between barefoot and shoes, but I run both ways on a regular basis. As far as what to do for W&D, you probably want to revist the shoe you are using. You can use the VFFs if you are comfortable with it. You still have time to try out some other shoes though. Try something light and flatter (Nike Lunaracer, Saucony Grid type A4, Asics Pirhana, Saucony Kinvara, just as a few suggestions).

 

[bounceliketigger]

Thanks for the suggestions! The toe issue wasn't with blisters though, it was more of a pain on impact thing. I ordered the toe socks anyway and am going to try them because I do get a blister from the VFFs.

I agree about the heel=toe ratio thing. So few running shoes are neutral. I have run in a earlier model New Balance (550s I think). They are just about as neutral from heel to toe as I've seen, while giving some cushion. The NB 800 shoes designed for Chi are pretty neutral too.

I think running the W & D in VFFs might be a bit ambitious for me. I'm struggling a bit with stamina as it is. But I'm going to try a longer run in them today and see how it goes.

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

I do all my short run in my vffs and my long ones in my sneakers - although I am going to attempt to do some of my shorter long runs in my vffs soon.

Were your toes in fully and kind of flattened out. I noticed if I don't get all my toes in correctly they can hurt. I have noticed now when I go back to my regular shoes my ankles and shins hurt whereas they don't in the vffs, but the vffs are harder to run in.

Kirsty

 

[bounceliketigger]

I do all my short run in my vffs and my long ones in my sneakers - although I am going to attempt to do some of my shorter long runs in my vffs soon.

Were your toes in fully and kind of flattened out. I noticed if I don't get all my toes in correctly they can hurt. I have noticed now when I go back to my regular shoes my ankles and shins hurt whereas they don't in the vffs, but the vffs are harder to run in.

Kirsty

My toes hurt in the sneaks, not in the VFFs. It's interesting that you say your ankles & shins hurt in the shoes but not in the VFFs--that's what I'm experiencing!! And as you say, it's harder, more physically demanding to run in the VFFs, so then your legs get fatigued. I'll take fatigued over injured any day though.

I tried to run barefoot on my treadmill last night & my calves & shins were still too sore from the huge hill I did on Friday, but the toes didn't hurt at all!

Back to the VFFs in the a.m. for a 6 miler!

 

[Goofed98]

I do roughly 75% of all of my running in vffs or barefoot, and I think it has helped me avoid some injury issues.

That said, I would recommend trying out a few pairs of shoes for an acceptable alternative, just in case. For example, last year, after training for Goofy almost exclusively in vibrams, I showed up to Disney to find out that it was a bit chilly. Luckily, I had done a few runs in another pair of shoes, one that allowed me to wear socks. I'm pretty sure the warm feet helped make those 40 miles a bit more enjoyable.

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Oh sorry, totally missed the meaning

Okay, so we are having the same problem! I too would like to run W&D in my VFFs. I don't know if I am being too ambitious, but running in my sneaks is causing me problems (to be honest the problems were there before, and I thought it was just the way my body was, but now when I run in the VFFs I am pain free - well except the muscles)

Which VFFs do you have?

Goofed98 - A little chilly?

Kirsty

 

[bounceliketigger]

Goofed - Ever try the Injini socks? I just got some but haven't tried em yet.

Kirsty- I have 2 pairs of VFFs for running: KSOs & Sprints. Then I just got a pair of the new KSO Treks for women for fall, knocking around in jeans and such (they're brown leather & suede). I'd love to say I could do the 1/2 in them, but like you I'm thinking that's way too ambitious for me. That said, I'm kinda worried about which shoes. I have a minimal pair of NB's that I seem to do well in. Will have to try em for a longer run & see.

Coach - So I have a question, wondering your thoughts: I've been to the shoe experts, tried about 5 different pairs of various levels of support. Finally I went to a sports doc who said I should use orthodics to support my right arch. Rationale being that because I pronate, there is a constant tugging on the inner calf/ shin area which is causing consistent discomfort (& previous injury). I've done a lot of research into barefoot, etc., which obviously contradicts this theory, rationale being that if you don't support the arch, run on the mid-to-forefoot, you will strengthen the foot & leg & lengthen the muscles. Whereas, if you wear the orthodic, you are basically condemning yourself to shorter, less strong muscles & a life of running on hard plastic.

What do you think?

 

[bounceliketigger]

My KSOs tend to give me a blister. I just got the Injini socks to hopefully allieviate the problem. Anyone try these?

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

I tried the injini socks with the vffs but I didn't like how it felt - it sort of took away the "natural" feeling. I do, however, use them with my regular shoes because they prevent the nails on one toe cutting into the toe next to it.

I just run in classics right now. I got some of the new bilikas (no idea if that is how you spell it ) and I loved how they felt, but after wearing them around the house I realized that the top part (the material like in the KSOs) was rubbing on my foot - I have weird shaped feet - so I took them back before I did any damage in them - I would love to try the KSOs but I am worried I will have the same problem.

I just did 2 miles in my vffs this morning and once again my feet feel awesome. Maybe I will try to do my 6 miles (cut back week this week) in my vffs on Sunday

Kirsty

 

[SAHDad]

I finally picked up a pair of Bikilas last month, and am getting used to them. I cannot say that I have noticed any problem when running in other shoes, but that's because I have run in nothing other than Vibrams* since I got them. I haven't done any distance beyond the 5k mark yet, but hope to do so in a few more weeks.

I have used the Injini socks before, but they did not prevent any blistering. On the other hand, they didn't cause any blistering, so it's just a matter of personal choice.



* Technically, I ran to make an ADR while in Epcot a couple weeks ago, but that's not exactly the same thing.

 

[bounceliketigger]

Hmm. My DH suggested I try the classiscs. They don't have any seams, so that could work. But I'm dying to try the Bikilas anyway.

Like you guys I haven't gone farther than about 4 miles. Today I did a solid 1 1/2 hrs on cardio equipment today, so I'm going to take tomorrow off & give it a go for 6 on Sunday in the VFFs.

 

[TEK224]

I have the KSO's and love them. So far I've only done up to 4 miles in them and that was on the beach. Havent't tried running in them on hard surfaces. That will be a while as I have injury and am on the shelf for the next month.

I do wear the Injinji's when wearing regular running shoes and I love them. They seemed to have cut down on my blisters.

Terri

 

[bounceliketigger]

I have the KSO's and love them. So far I've only done up to 4 miles in them and that was on the beach. Havent't tried running in them on hard surfaces. That will be a while as I have injury and am on the shelf for the next month.

I do wear the Injinji's when wearing regular running shoes and I love them. They seemed to have cut down on my blisters.

Terri

Just got the new KSO Treks for my husband & he loves em! I have the KSOs, which cut down on dirt & what not getting into them, but I have to tape over an interior seam that just literally rubs me the wrong way.

Good luck w/ your rehab. Had you planned on doing the Philly R&R?

 

[TEK224]

Unfortunately yes, I was planning on doing the Philly RnR. The medal looked way cool. I got injured before I actually sent in the registration, so I didn't lose any money.

Terri

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Hey,

I did my 6 miles in my VFFs this morning, and I actually felt pretty darn good; although, now I can't walk so well, but it's definitely more of a muscle fatigue than my shin splints acting up Maybe running the W&D in them is a possibility I would have to get something other than classics to fit though because I would have nothing to attach my timing chip to on my classics.

Kirsty

 

[Goofed98]

I run in the Sprints, and have not ever tried the injinis.

As far as attaching a race chip, you can always get something like a RoadID, or a triathlon ankle chip strap to attach the chip.

 

[MikeofRose&Mike]

I run in the Sprints, and have not ever tried the injinis.

As far as attaching a race chip, you can always get something like a RoadID, or a triathlon ankle chip strap to attach the chip.

I did a 10k this summer and saw a kid running it barefoot. He had an ankle strap, and the blackest feet from the asphalt, I don't know if they are clean yet.

 

[bounceliketigger]

Kirsty, I suggest the KSOs or Bikilas. The Sprints are cuter, but there's nothing over your instep, so I'd have to wonder if the chip might irritate your foot.