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Barefoot Running Ultramarathons: Possible? Of course!

Mar 19, 2010

Jason Robillard of Barefoot Running University demonstrates barefoot running on the trails in Michigan.

Guest post by Jason Robillard, author and founder of the Barefoot Running University

Running ultramarathons ... barefoot? Is that even possible? Of course! Not only is it possible, I think it can give a runner a discernible advantage. Okay, so maybe you won't have to go completely barefoot. A good minimalist shoe may work just fine.

I'm a barefoot ultramarathon runner. I do wear minimalist shoes on occasion when conditions warrant. I ran a 100 mile ultra in September of 2009 (Hallucination 100 in Pinckney, Michigan) wearing a pair of Vibram KSOs. I've run a 50 miler barefoot and another in aqua socks (North Country Trail Run in Manistee, Michigan) I also teach people about barefoot and minimalist shoe running.

Okay, so you're ready to take the plunge. You decide you'd like to try one of these ultramarathons. If you are a barefoot or minimalist shoe runner, this likely causes a little trepidation. How do you prepare for such a long distance with so little protection on your feet? What variables will your footwear decisions affect?

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More Scuttlebutt on the Seamless, Podded, FiveFingers Bikila

Mar 18, 2010

Ville shows off his pre-production FiveFingers Bikila. While not the final version, this photo makes clear the seamless upper design, which VFF fan Orlin recently confirmed via a third party source who met directly with Vibram.

Orlin, BirthdayShoes forum member and blogger at the Disencumbered athlete, relayed information that both confirms and adds to our understanding regarding the upcoming Vibram FiveFingers Bikila design. Here is what Orlin was able to share:

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Feeling lucky? Vibram Five Fingers Bikila Giveaway — Sponsored by City Sports!

Mar 17, 2010

I am excited to announce that City Sports is sponsoring the first official BirthdayShoes.com contest — a giveaway of a pair of the new "barefoot running shoe" designed specifically for runners — the Vibram Five Fingers Bikila!

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Vibram Five Fingers Bikila Release Date Update [Of Sorts]

Mar 16, 2010

The Vibram Five Fingers Bikila is coming Spring 2010 (mid-April being a best guess). Right click this image and either open link in a new window or "save target as" to grab this 1000x625 VFF Bikila wallpaper based on existing pre-production or stock imag

The Vibram Five Fingers Bikila is coming Spring 2010 (mid-April being a best guess). Right click this image and either open the link in a new window or "save target as" to grab this 1000x625 VFF Bikila wallpaper now! (Based on existing pre-production photos or stock images)

As 2010 rolls forward ("spring"ing forward for those of us in daylight savings time), tips and scuttlebutt surrounding the release date for the Vibram Five Fingers Bikila — the "barefoot running shoe" from Vibram — continue to eek in. The majority of those tips put the release of the Bikila in April 2010.

Interestingly enough, the Boston Marathon is on April 19, 2010. Is this a coincidence? I don't know. What I do know is that Abebe Bikila raced and won the 1960 Olympics marathon, that Barefoot Ted ran the 2006 Boston Marathon in Vibram Five Fingers*, and that Vibram USA is based out of Concord, Massachusetts.

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