New Runner and Barefooter

[Xevo]

Hi all! I have been interested in VFF shoes and the barefoot running experience for quite some time now. A friend of mine on a gaming forum has been a big advocate for them, as she ran a lot and used to have all the big time running injuries before transitioning to VFFs.

I, on the other hand, have never been a big runner, but have started the Couch to 5k program and found that I like running more than I had expected to. Thinking ahead to how hard the transition would be once I finally got used to running longer distances, I took the plunge this weekend and got my first pair of barefoot shoes. Originally I was getting VFF KSOs, but the sale on those (at Kayak Center, I think?) expired in the hours between when I drove out to a store to try out my actual size and when I got back home to try ordering them.

It worked out well for me, though, because in the process of re-evaluating my choice of VFF models I saw the posts about the Merrell Trail Gloves. I have been a big fan of Merrell shoes, and based on the reviews on the main site and the positive feedback in the forums I went ahead and ordered a pair of Men's Amazon Trail Gloves in size 11 today. Can't wait to get them soon!

I plan on restarting with Couch to 5k after making a bit of transition into these shoes. From the sound of things, though, these shoes may be easier to make said transition with than the VFF KSO or Bikila models that I was looking at. I'll be sure to let you all know how it works out!

[Go_Blue]

Whatever you do and whatever type of "barefoot" shoe you decide on, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE spend some time running actually barefoot.  The first month (at least) should be you walking around in your new minimalist shoe as much as possible (at work, errands, be barefoot around the house, etc).  Take very short barefoot runs on some concrete.  The hard surface will give you the best feedback possible, and you'll dial in your form that much quicker.  You'll need to learn how to run barefoot before you can successfully transition into VFF or other minimalist shoes such as the Merrell gloves.  Start out only running a couple minutes at a time, and slowly increase that time and distance as your feet allow.  Listen to them, because they're your best teachers.

I made the incorrect assumption over a year and a half ago that I wouldn't have to spend any time barefoot with these awesome VFFs.  But unfortunately, I struggled for months with form and ended up sitting out several weeks on more than one occasion because of top of foot pain.  If I had started out barefoot instead, and used what I learned to smooth my transition, it would have saved me a great deal of frustration and injury.

Welcome to the minimalist movement, enjoy and run safe!

[Xevo]

I was planning to follow this guide when I ran, and wear the Trail Gloves as my everyday shoe as well -- http://birthdayshoes.com/how-to-transition-to-running-in-vibram-five-fingers