Barefoot / Minimalist running

Commander Quan · 03-15-2013, 01:56 PM

Anyone else into barefoot or minimalist running?

I had never been a runner, and still don't consider myself a good one but a couple years ago I started researching barefoot running and thought that it could be the solution to my problem. Ever since I was a teen I've had problems with my lower back. High impact activities like running made the disks in my lower back swell up and anytime I would run, the next day I could barely walk.

I wanted a pair of Five Fingers, but apparently my gorilla toes have separation anxiety and did not want to go into their appropriate places. I ended up with a pair of New Balance Minimus and have been loving them for the past 2 years.

Subvet642 · 03-15-2013, 02:00 PM

I'm usually barefooted sitting on my ass on the couch; that almost counts, doesn't it?

Commander Quan · 03-15-2013, 02:19 PM

That sounds pretty minimalist.

Newge · 04-12-2013, 10:17 AM

I do CrossFit and typically never run more than 3 miles at a time. All of my running is in a pair of New Balance Minimus Trail shoes. This is their version of the minimalist shoe. I went with these as opposed to five fingers because I wanted a real toe box. Other than Olympic lifts and squatting, all my other CrossFit activities are done in these shoes. My biggest piece of advice is if you decide to go to a minimalist shoe do so gradually. If you just throw a pair on and go out and run a few miles your legs are going to hurt like hell!

http://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-MT...ywords=minimus

Commander Quan · 05-09-2013, 06:35 PM

While at the outdoor shop yesterday I decided to give the VFFs another try. Things went much better this time and I walked out with a new pair of Komodos. I'm running in an event this weekend so I'm not going to try running in them till next week, but I'll be wearing them around until then.

BHalbrooks · 05-09-2013, 07:31 PM

I run with a bare of Nike Free's. They're literally the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn when running.

The Poet · 05-10-2013, 08:34 AM

Like Darren, I do the absolute minimum running. If less is more, then none is all, right?

pektel · 05-10-2013, 09:21 AM

I only run barefoot when I get a loud knock on my door in the middle of the night. The knock is normally followed by someone from some department yelling "search warrant" or something like that. Never stuck around long enough to hear them finish the phrase.

czerbe · 05-10-2013, 09:48 AM

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I picked these up after Christmas and I use them for running and Cross Fit... although I have been out of the gym for over a month due to a back injury...

But best workout shoe/running shoe ever!

Commander Quan · 05-10-2013, 10:46 AM

Are those the road gloves?

I know a lot of people rave about the trail and road gloves, I've checked them out a couple times and was never that impressed, but I may have to give them a serious look once the Minimus' finally bite it.

billybarue · 05-10-2013, 01:33 PM

I read "Born to Run" and became a believer. I got NB minimus and have have been easing into it the last couple months. So far no knee pain (from t bands) but I haven't begun running for speed yet. That is when the knee pain always started. Pulled calf last week and have been on bike and stepper only.

I am just concentrating running on my toes and staying off my heels and hoping form will follow function but I am wondering if I need to look into some more technique info. Maybe YouTube videos?

Read "Born to Run". I found it fascinating especially about the anthropological evidence.

czerbe · 05-10-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commander Quan

Are those the road gloves?

I know a lot of people rave about the trail and road gloves, I've checked them out a couple times and was never that impressed, but I may have to give them a serious look once the Minimus' finally bite it.

Trail Gloves, its like wearing socks but a really firm sole. Best Gym/Running shoe I ever had!

Commander Quan · 05-10-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybarue

I am just concentrating running on my toes and staying off my heels and hoping form will follow function but I am wondering if I need to look into some more technique info. Maybe YouTube videos?.

Check out some videos on Pose, and Chi running. I'm not completely convinced these are the best at least for me, especially the high kick back taught in the Pose method but if you can pick something up from them it may help.

03-15-2013, 01:56 PM	#1
Commander Quan Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Derrick Location: Canton, OH Posts: 966 Trading: (4)	Barefoot / Minimalist running Anyone else into barefoot or minimalist running? I had never been a runner, and still don't consider myself a good one but a couple years ago I started researching barefoot running and thought that it could be the solution to my problem. Ever since I was a teen I've had problems with my lower back. High impact activities like running made the disks in my lower back swell up and anytime I would run, the next day I could barely walk. I wanted a pair of Five Fingers, but apparently my gorilla toes have separation anxiety and did not want to go into their appropriate places. I ended up with a pair of New Balance Minimus and have been loving them for the past 2 years.

03-15-2013, 02:00 PM	#2
Subvet642 Bilge Rat Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Darren Location: Torpedo Room Bilge Posts: 2,997 Trading: (13)	Re: Barefoot / Minimalist running I'm usually barefooted sitting on my ass on the couch; that almost counts, doesn't it? __________________ *"Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not." -John Galt*

03-15-2013, 02:19 PM	#3
Commander Quan Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Derrick Location: Canton, OH Posts: 966 Trading: (4)	Re: Barefoot / Minimalist running That sounds pretty minimalist.

04-12-2013, 10:17 AM	#4
Newge Just in from the Storm Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: Brad Location: Indy Posts: 4 Trading: (2)	Re: Barefoot / Minimalist running I do CrossFit and typically never run more than 3 miles at a time. All of my running is in a pair of New Balance Minimus Trail shoes. This is their version of the minimalist shoe. I went with these as opposed to five fingers because I wanted a real toe box. Other than Olympic lifts and squatting, all my other CrossFit activities are done in these shoes. My biggest piece of advice is if you decide to go to a minimalist shoe do so gradually. If you just throw a pair on and go out and run a few miles your legs are going to hurt like hell! http://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-MT...ywords=minimus __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -HL Mencken

05-09-2013, 06:35 PM	#5
Commander Quan Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Derrick Location: Canton, OH Posts: 966 Trading: (4)	Re: Barefoot / Minimalist running While at the outdoor shop yesterday I decided to give the VFFs another try. Things went much better this time and I walked out with a new pair of Komodos. I'm running in an event this weekend so I'm not going to try running in them till next week, but I'll be wearing them around until then.

05-09-2013, 07:31 PM	#6
BHalbrooks Have My Own Room Join Date: Nov 2011 First Name: B Location: Texas Posts: 1,122 Trading: (5)	Re: Barefoot / Minimalist running I run with a bare of Nike Free's. They're literally the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn when running.

05-10-2013, 08:34 AM	#7
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: Barefoot / Minimalist running Like Darren, I do the absolute minimum running. If less is more, then none is all, right? __________________ Ninety percent of everything is crap - Theodore Sturgeon.

05-10-2013, 09:21 AM	#8
pektel I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Peter Location: Grand Rapids, MN Posts: 4,320 Trading: (28)	Re: Barefoot / Minimalist running I only run barefoot when I get a loud knock on my door in the middle of the night. The knock is normally followed by someone from some department yelling "search warrant" or something like that. Never stuck around long enough to hear them finish the phrase. __________________ The problem is not the problem. The problem is your ATTITUDE about the problem.

05-10-2013, 09:48 AM	#9
czerbe Just a Traveling Man Join Date: Apr 2012 First Name: Corey Location: Reading Pa Posts: 1,309 Trading: (2)	Re: Barefoot / Minimalist running [IMG][/IMG] I picked these up after Christmas and I use them for running and Cross Fit... although I have been out of the gym for over a month due to a back injury... But best workout shoe/running shoe ever! __________________ Live fast, hard, everyday like its your last.

05-10-2013, 10:46 AM	#10
Commander Quan Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Derrick Location: Canton, OH Posts: 966 Trading: (4)	Re: Barefoot / Minimalist running Are those the road gloves? I know a lot of people rave about the trail and road gloves, I've checked them out a couple times and was never that impressed, but I may have to give them a serious look once the Minimus' finally bite it.

05-10-2013, 01:33 PM	#11
billybarue Still Watching My Back Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 226 Trading: (5)	Re: Barefoot / Minimalist running I read "Born to Run" and became a believer. I got NB minimus and have have been easing into it the last couple months. So far no knee pain (from t bands) but I haven't begun running for speed yet. That is when the knee pain always started. Pulled calf last week and have been on bike and stepper only. I am just concentrating running on my toes and staying off my heels and hoping form will follow function but I am wondering if I need to look into some more technique info. Maybe YouTube videos? Read "Born to Run". I found it fascinating especially about the anthropological evidence. __________________ "A Nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools." --- Thucydides