Foot Health

[ToLiveToLaugh]

(I'm not sure this is the right category, but I figure it's preventative and curative....)

So I don't know how you all feel about shoes, but I've never been a big fan. Personally, my legs were always far stronger when I was growing up running around barefoot. And science is showing that, on many accounts, barefooted is better overall. For example, THIS article showing that it reduces joint torque (especially hips) while running, and THIS that shows a slow mo comparison of gait and spring of step barefoot vs shod. There are lots of other sources along the same lines, you get the idea. Also, not to step on anyone's beliefs, but it seemed we evolved doing so: a blog post with further links therein, and a cool video.

Obviously, we can't go around barefoot all the time, especially in "civilization" with stores and places where concrete would scuff feet, which is why I've had my vibram five finger sprints for more than a year now. I probably sound like an ad for them, but I LOVE them so much. I'm getting a second pair soon. I swear I'm not paid by them or anything, just a loyal customer.

I guess I just wanted to share, first off, for those of you who might be like me and want to go back to long summers with no shoes, and second, for people with foot or joint problems that could be footwear based. And to get thoughts.

 

[redux]

Not sure they would meet most dress codes at work. They look like fun for weekends, though, for sure.

 

[Wifezilla]

I bare foot it whenever I can. I was always the kid who kept taking off her shoes. Drove my mom nuts

 

[big brown horse]

I started this thread a while back: http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3908

And I finally got the book Born to Run, I have not read it yet. I should put it by my night stand this evening. Thanks for the reminder, barefoot weather is right around the corner for us.

 

[ToLiveToLaugh]

I started this thread a while back: http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3908

And I finally got the book Born to Run, I have not read it yet. I should put it by my night stand this evening. Thanks for the reminder, barefoot weather is right around the corner for us.

Oh, good link, thank you.


Well then I think the "barefoot shoes" are perfect for those who said they'd like barefoot, but their feet are too sensitive or they're in town too much.

And redux- there are other shoes that are barefoot shoes but look more normal, like the smallest thickness of nike free's, and one other kind that's slipping my mind right now. I prefer the vibrams because they're the thinnest, and I love being able to move my toes laterally. (I like climbing on stuff ) The tennis shoe versions don't allow for "splay" which is the widening out of the toes when you run/walk barefoot. They do still strengthen the muscles that are weakened when you wear conventional shoes.

Also, barefoot isn't just for running. You still get benefits even if its just walking around. My calves are so much stronger. The only thing you have to watch is not to wear them too much if you're not used to bare feet. You can find lots of guides online.

I'd actually never heard of the ultra running, before.

 

[big brown horse]

If you are interested in the book I'll send it to you when I'm done. I read pretty fast if it is interesting.

Ultra running, even the women do it. (I'm not surprised that women can do it, just that this culture allows women to partake is great!)

Have you noticed your stride changing since you bought and wear your vibrams?

 

[Occamstazer]

I WANT THESE!
I've been drooling over them since you gave me that link a couple days ago.
I've got a birthday coming up, and I'm thinking about asking the fam to go in together, since they're expensive.

I've broken my ankles like...four times I think?
Last time I got xrayed, the tech said, "JESUS! What did you do? You're loaded with stress fractures!"
And no, I'm not fat as a house :/
I just have terrible ankles. Barefoot shoes would be a godsend.

 

[ToLiveToLaugh]

If you are interested in the book I'll send it to you when I'm done. I read pretty fast if it is interesting.

Ultra running, even the women do it. (I'm not surprised that women can do it, just that this culture allows women to partake is great!)

Have you noticed your stride changing since you bought and wear your vibrams?

Yes. Well, somewhat. I've always been a "barefoot brat" if you will, but its made a huge difference in some areas. In particular, I used to dance competitively for YEARS and as a result of those super tight leather jazz shoes, my pinky toe was actually angling in. Eww, right? Well, it's stated to fix itself now that I'm not in restrictive tennis and dance shoes all the time. I wince to think what I was doing to my feet in middle school, when I was doing track, rhythmic gymnastics, and dance all at the same time. It's a miracle I walk still, lol!

The biggest change I've noticed is that my hips don't hurt after running a lot. Used to be, they'd start "clicking" and kinda moving out of place... (again, ew!) but they don't do that as much anymore.

Also, for those of you who share my "pain", I have extremely high arches. You CAN strengthen them in spite of this. In fact, we're probably the ones who should the most.

 

[ToLiveToLaugh]

I WANT THESE!
I've been drooling over them since you gave me that link a couple days ago.
I've got a birthday coming up, and I'm thinking about asking the fam to go in together, since they're expensive.

I've broken my ankles like...four times I think?
Last time I got xrayed, the tech said, "JESUS! What did you do? You're loaded with stress fractures!"
And no, I'm not fat as a house :/
I just have terrible ankles. Barefoot shoes would be a godsend.

You would need to be so, so careful working up to them though. I mean, I'm sure you know that. But the best way to strengthen bone is through repeated pounding, for lack of a better word. Think about it: martial artists have the most dense arms. Runners have the (up to down) most dense shins. Barefoot runners beat them out like no one's business. Since your bones seem brittle, for lack of a better term already, it would probably be a good idea to up your calcium intake as you do your training. And of course vit D, since it's calcium's buddy.

I seriously love my shoes. And what sort of breaks have you gotten? Like, the "fallen sideways" type dealio? Because those have to do with your tendons not being tight enough, also. I don't know anything about changing tendons, if you can. :/ Would be interesting to know, though.

Oh, and I have the green/blue sprints. My SO has the black KSOs. I think my next pair will be KSOs. The sprints pinch my pinky toe a little bit, which I don't like as much. The classics are super comfortable, but they're just for daily wear, the lack of straps means they won't always stay on for running. Hope that helps!

 

[ToLiveToLaugh]

If you are interested in the book I'll send it to you when I'm done. I read pretty fast if it is interesting.

Ultra running, even the women do it. (I'm not surprised that women can do it, just that this culture allows women to partake is great!)

Have you noticed your stride changing since you bought and wear your vibrams?

That would be fantastic. And I have a metric ton of books if there's anything you would want to borrow. Favorites that I have include: 4 hour work week, made from scratch, emergency, enchantment, and the year of living biblically. And that's a totally random mix of books on random topics. I would recommend "emergency" by strauss if you've never read it. He's kindof a woos, but it's still a funny read. And slightly terrifying.