I love this thread. I really hope I have something to add to it soon. My feet have grown about a half size since college. I don't think it's because my feet continued to grow, but because my arches have flattened out. *Here's to strong arches!*
Did she have any transition period? The reviews seem to agree that kids aren't subject to the same injuries as adults when switching to minimalist footwear. I hope that's the case, cuz I'll feel like an a$$ if she hurts herself in some way.
Yep, I'm buying them for her! She makes her 1st communion @ the end of the month and she's getting KSO's from her Godmother, ME! I'm the "cool" aunt with tattoos & little bearded dogs so, naturally, she wants shoes like mine. I'm so honored! I guess the transition for kids is practically non-existent because they KNOW how to do things BF. They haven't been spoiled by years of discomfort and unnatural foot shaping. I'm excited to see her in them. Has anyone bought the new kid KSO's?
I'm in the veterinary field and I would never subject my precious VFF's to the beating that my crocs take at work! LOL I don't know how a typical day in your clinic goes, but I typically end up with blood, urine, medications (panacur, barium), cleaners & disinfectants (sometimes bleach) on my shoes by the end of the day. I value my VFF's and I'd be devastated if I had cat urine (eeeewww!!) or bleach ruining my beautiful shoes! I can understand NEVER wanting to take them off. But wearing shoes that u can wash with some dish soap to work is MUCH more practical for me. Something to consider
I think it's nice for people to have the option. Especially on cold nights. If they don't have shoes, they probably don't have the warmest homes and/or bed linens.
So, I've been pretty easy on the VFF's as I just got them last week. I ran about 3 miles per day on 4 days last week, but only .5 to 1 mile in the VFF's, the rest in my regular shoes. So, today I tried out running completely barefoot. It was very comfortable EXCEPT for this tiny little burning sensation @ the base of my right calf. As soon as I realized that sensation wasn't going away I jumped off the treadmill and did a bunch of stretching and put my traditional shoes on. My right hamstring is ALWAYS tighter than my left, so I do extra stretching on that leg. I've done a TON of stretching this past week too, to facilitate my transition period. I don't know what this burning sensation was. Does anyone??
It's okay, but not a substitute for the hard outside surfaces and it doesn't allow all your muscles to re-develop since you are not flexing over terrain. Soft surfaces may seem best, but they won't help you learn to run light. In my opinion, the harder the better at the begining as it keeps you from doing too much to soon. When your feet are tired it is time to stop. I run bare on the treadmill when the weather is bad but I keep the mileage down. Until your foot pads thicken take it easy and LISTEN to your body! If you smell something burning, look down, it's your feet....
Thanks for the input. I think I do run pretty light already, I can ONLY land on my forefoot. I'm incapable of running any other way. But my feet are quite tender! I know I need to thicken my skin A LOT. So, would it be better to start on the treadmill... build up a little... THEN take it outdoors? I can't even imagine going right to the paved road with the sensitivity of my feet right now.
One of my clients, a former Dallas Cowboy and holder of the fastest man in the NFL title, was having trouble running. After he explained his problem to me, I instructed him to relearn how to run on a treadmill while barefoot. He stared at me like a cow at a new gate, but tried it anyway. Within 2 weeks, his injuries healed and he was almost back up to his performance speed. I highly recommend barefoot treadmill running, but you must take it slow, slow, slow, and listen to your body! Know when to stop if your body tells you to do so. Also, proper nutrition, rest, and supplementation helps in the course of recovery. Mark Sisson, author of the Primal Blueprint, runs barefoot on a treadmill as well, and sometimes uses socks.
Wow! Well, professional advice for free. I will gladly follow this. Thank you PS- I love your wife's quote
I've been given the very good advice to get acclimated with running barefoot before I end up hurting myself in the VFF's. However, I don't have what I would consider an ideal spot to do so. I'm at the start of the running season, so I typically stay on the treadmill until I'm more comfortable with my pace. I think that a run on a grassy or dirt trail would be best for barefoot running, but I don't have those close by. Should I start out barefoot on the treadmill??
OK I'll use my crumby 'normal' shoes for a few more weeks. I appreciate everyone's advice Ya know, you (I) always think "that won't happen to me" or "I'm different" or "I've BEEN doin' it this way".... but it's not true. You (meaning ME) are just like everybody else. I don't wanna end up injured, so I'll slow it down. Thanks guys!
Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm so glad I'm on this forum I'm in eastern NY. Very far from Corning. But it is amazing how beautiful this state is up north from NYC. It's so much more country than people think. I'm originally from Pittsburgh, so not "from" here... landed here after marrying my Army Scout husband. I can't complain about the area, we really enjoy the 'country' part of NY though.
I got my sprints yesterday and I was a good girl... I only did a 1/4 mile w/ my VFF's on. But I was feeling so comfortable! So, I did 1+ mile in them this morning. It was so nice and easy! I probably would've gone further if I didn't have to get to work. I feel like I stretched my hamstrings, in a good way. I also feel like I worked more ankle muscles than I have in a long time. I've been stretching my hamstrings, ankles & tops of feet throughout the day. Hopefully, I won't hurt too much in the morning!
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She has to wear a uniform to school, so I think she'll only wear them a few hours per day... at least to start.
