minitour

It isn't so much the impact that hurts, it's the under-pronation.

As it was explained to me (in my own words):
When you walk or run, your foot comes down and your ankles "roll" inwards allowing the weight and force to be carried through the arch and up the foot and leg.

With me (and other under-pronators), my ankles don't roll to the inside. They stay where they're at and sometimes roll to the outside of the foot.

My shoes wear on the outside portion first and last year I broke one of the metatarsals in my left foot. Plus, it REALLY hurts. I'm sure I can do PT to get my ankles rolling inward, but that sounds expensive and lengthy. If running barefoot will do the trick, I'll try it. But it isn't so much the impact force, it's the "rolling" (lack thereof) that gets me.

Thoughts?

-mini

Grumble

Mini,
give it a try. I'll say that the first few weeks I was pretty sore after each run, but kept increasing the mileage. Once I was over the growing pains, I've had ZERO aches/pains since. All my old sports injuries (back, knees, hips) have all but gone away. Not so much as a twinge of pain at all, and it's fantastic.

minitour

Well, why the hell not? At worst...it hurts either way. At best...I need to work on my cardio badly.

Nothing to lose.

-mini

uvuflier

Mini,
I'm not experienced enough to chime in any more than I already have. And while your local running store can help, I say see a specialist at that point as running stores (yes even the store I work at) have a vested interest in selling you a pair of shoes and are usually nowhere near qualified to help you.

I do agree with Grumble that you might as well try it. And as you rightfully pointed out, the worst that can happen is that you feel pain and have to stop. No different than now it sounds like. Just make sure you stop for the right kind of pain. Soreness in muscles is ok but keep an eye on it. Soreness in joints may mean you go see that specialist. If you have the money a massage once a week for the first few weeks (while things are sore) may help your muscles with recovery and help them build up quicker.

If it does work, I would bet good money that you're entire lower body will feel much stronger and stable.

Only issue I see now is the approaching winter. Let's hope you have feet like below.

Let us know how it goes!

kc135driver

Anybody use socks/liners with their vibrams in the winter? I saw some in the store and was curious how it affected the fit/sizing and whether it is really necessary running outside in the midwest in December.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated-Thanks!

KC

rotorhead1026

It would have to be really thin socks with individual toes. My shoes fit closely enough that nothing would work.

mmaviator

..............

thegoblin

Military's take on the toe shoes. Interesting read, might have to buy some myself.

On your toes - Military Off Duty, Army Health, military fitness, army physical fitness - Army Times

kc135driver

I just love the commander's comments at Al Udeid. So let me get this straight, marines can wear them in Kandahar but airmen can't wear them in the Deid? Just another reason to hate that place, brings out the worst.

Kc

Grumble

Here's your problem:

Since when do enlisted peeps get to make installation policy? I know they like to try sometimes...

Was great being a Navy guy at the 'died because no one ever knew what to do about us, yet everyone with common sense (mostly aircrews) appreciated our protest on their behalf. Glo-belts anyone?