Questions & Answers

So, I watched Saint Ralph on Netflix last night. The protagonist tries to win the Boston Marathon. One of the things a book was telling him to do was run backwards. Is this a real practice? It said it develops the calves the best. I know running minimal or barefoot gives me a great calf workout. Is running backwards a good idea despite the obvious dangers of not being able to see where you're going?

I am a 56 year old food service professional. My hobbies include photography, hiking, camping, exercising and cooking. I started getting in shape in September of 2010 and since then I have lost 42 pounds and gone from a 36 inch waist down to 32 inches. I follow a paleo diet (with a few cheats here and there), walk 25 to 35 miles a few and do body weight exercises 2-3 times a week. I have been in and out of shape several times in my life. I have always enjoyed being active and getting out to enjoy nature but it seemed that so many times work, health issues and the lure of my TV and couch seemed to get in the way. When I decided to quit smoking AGAIN in August I wanted to make sure that not only did I not gain weight but actually got in better shape. As it would happen at about the same time I reread Daniel Quinn’s “Ishmael” and “The Story of B” and while doing research online I stumbled across the Paleo/Primal movement. The more I read the more it seemed to resonate with me. Eating and exercising like we evolved doing- what could make more sense than that? I am slowing embracing the diet and exercise philosophy of the Pale movement and loving it so far. Since beginning this journey in September of 2010 my blood pressure has dropped from 138/ 80 down to 118/68, my total cholesterol is now 223; a little high but much better than the 252 it was before. Do more importantly I feel 100% better then I use to, more energy, I sleep better and I am beginning to see a leaner and more muscular reflection in my mirror.

Hello, I am new to running let alone barefoot. I have traveled barefoot for a good many years but have not gotten into the running part. I am trying slowly to change that. Currently I hibernate in the Wisconsin winters, but I am looking forward to training in barefeet again soon.

Hi everyone! I just picked up my first pair of Vibram FiveFingers (specifically the KSO's). I have longer, wider toes than most people it seems, and I just tried out my new pair on the treadmill for a 3.5 mile run (about 30 minutes or so).

About at the 25 minute mark, I started feeling some rubbing on the side of my right foot as well as my small toe on the same foot.

I finished the run, and took off the VFF's to notice two bad blisters on those two areas.

I've never worn Minimalist shoes before, and I don't bearfoot (yet!). So I'm curious to know if the reason these blisters came about is because of the structure of my feet from 21 years of shoes? or if it's the pair of VFF's itself? perhaps a size issue?

Could anyone lend me a hand? :)

Yesterday was plus 5 c' did 18k mostly barefoot but probably ran through too many puddles resulting in more than one blister.

I have been out of traditional shoes for over a year now and look forward to the new releases of minimal shoes coming out in the spring.

Have my eye on the Altra Adams to replace my Walmart specials.

Pb

Hi y'all:

Barefoot hiker convert to VFF. Been using them for few years, like em quite a bit, except the straps on my first pair from a year and 1/2 ago frayed and snapped in Hawaii last week. Will be uploading some cool pics of the VFF's on the rain forest trail in Big Island next.

Great to meet everyone :)

Parth

Anyone have any experience with this? I took a half-day workshop over the weekend here in Chicago and it was interesting. Definitely need to change my form to combat my ITBS. Working on that and transitioning to zero drop (or close to it) shoes. I know Dr. Mark has some experience with this since I saw it on his website, but any other opinions are more than welcome. Thanks!

i'm currently wear testing a new minimalist model for brooks, and while i'm not allowed to say anything about them, i will say that i'm in love with them!!!!

I've been a runner and cyclist for some time now and started running with Vibrams and barefoot. It's amazing how free I feel running barefoot. Look forward to learning from you guys.

Corey

Hi everyone!

I started running last summer in my Vibram KSOs. Unfortunately, I went too far too fast, and ended up with messed up toes and ankle on my left side. I am currently still trying to figure out the best way to resolve all my problems, given how cold and snowy it is up here.

I'm so glad I found this site, and look forward to participating.

I got a pair of Feelmax Osma in baby blue only because that's all I could get so I decided to make them a little more work friendly.

http://www.toesalad.com/node/534

I might go ahead and get some brown laces and see how that looks.

I just got one of the last available new pairs of Feelmax Osma's which were made the previous year. Last year because of production problems none were made. I was stuck with the baby blue color combo so being inventive I ordered some Angelus Suede Dye and went to work on them. Now they are more work appropriate & can be run in!

I'm very happy with how they turned out! What do you think?

Thank you for creating this new site. I am new to running but have enjoyed wearing minimal footwear over the last couple of years. For me, once i bought my first pair of minimal footwear there was no way I could go back to wearing other shoes. The feeling of freedom to move your feet and become more connected with the environment is wonderful. This site is a great place to learn about new brands & products and really helpful opinions from runners and non-runners alike. Welcome to everyone and thanks for all your contributions.

I read an interesting article today. http://nymag.com/health/features/46213/

Has anyone tried these?

Hello from Des Moines. I've been making the sloooow transition to zero-drop for about a year now. 2011 should be a great year for minimalist footwear. I look forward to all of the reviews, recommendations and ideas. Thanks for putting the site together!

I am planning to compete in my first triathalon and am interested in learning about my best options for footwear. I have had issues in the past with improper fitting shoes and am keen to try something different.

hey and howdy, my name is ben wood, some of you may know me from BPL, where I discovered this site. I am living in Missouri now, I have been running in VFF's for awhile now, i guess about a year. I have kids and attend culinary school. i guess that's about it.

"Where did you get your materials?" is the most common question I hear in the conversations I have had about DIY footwear. Durable threads, different kinds of cement, natural & synthetic fibers... all that!

What materials do you use and where do you get them?

MODERATOR'S NOTE: I am pinning this question to the top of the forum, as I imagine that this will be a common question people will be asking for quite some time. Let's try to make this thread the definitive resource for all things to do with sourcing DIY materials.

I have re severed my pair of Tara Lites that are due to come out in Feb. My size is not going to ship til Mar. Would love to hear from anyone who gets them b4 then.

I think a lot of minimalist shoe lovers have been waiting for this: Teva goes barefoot too! Minimalist shoes are always shoes. In hot summer a sandal is nice too. Just as we are giving more freedom to our soles, the uppers of our feet are still covered. So this one might fill up a gap.

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-blog/tevas-new-barefoot-sandal/7789.html

According to the website it will be released in March. Let summer come!