Im transitioning myself now, only 2 months into it using Vibrams and its great! Its not the for the impatient, but once you can build up to some serious miles you will be so much stronger for it than if wearing shoes. I can run a half marathon in shoes but only 4 some miles in my Vibrams just to give you an idea. So when I can run a half marathon in Vibrams who knows what I could do in shoes etc. Ran last night 4 miles in slushy snow in 17 degree weather in the Vibrams and it was great!
I have torn carteledge in my right knee, I couldn't run without massive pains, after a 5 months of vibram five finger, and assorted barefoot running, I am not pain free, and I won my first 5 k barefoot.!!!! thank the lord that we are born to run!!!
We let our children go bare foot from birth and we can hike through the woods off trail and our 5 year old had no problem. Through rocky areas, through gavel through thistles we do just fine. The kids actually do better than me because I wore shoes forever until I decided that evolution does a pretty good job.
I'm 30, 140lb, 5'9". I have used VFF on and off for almost three years--VERY little running, but lots of strength and conditioning. But for the last six months I used VFF exclusively: deadlifting 2.5x my bodyweight, squatting 1.5x my BW, weighted pistols, dumbbell swings, 50-100 meter sprints...etc. and the occasional 1 mile run as a finisher; and since then I stopped taking Glucasamine but I also felt great, everything felt perfect.
Continue: so now, I have 12 weeks, yes I know, only 12 weeks, to get myself ready to run/walk (but mostly run) nearly 500 miles in the sahara/packed sand/desert. done only 17 miles this wk, and not feeling too bad. THE question: how bad will it hurt? or do all those deadlifts, squats, burpees and sprints resemble the demands of ultrarunning closely enough that I shouldn't even need to grit my teeth through training and the 500miles?
@melbusefi I cannot tell you how much it will hurt, as pain is an individual experience. I do suggest focusing your minds eye on how powerful, capable and great you'll feel as you log and finish the 500 miles, rather than focusing on anticipated pain. Three years of training your arches and feet to support themselves predisposes you for success.
will 8 weeks be long long to condition my feet to run 13 miles (half marathon) assuming my muscles in my feet and legs have adapted to it. So just have to toughen the skin on my soles.
I've been wearing Vibrams for about a month now and although I like it, my feet hurt. I live in NYC and I walk allot. Is there something I should be doing with my stride. or in time will this subside?
@tumblingplanet There is a rehabilitation curve to get through, Vibrams remove the arch support "crutch" provided by most footwear out from under our feet. This means we have a strengthening process to go through building the musculature responsible for self-sustaining arch support. Work on developing a forefoot strike rather than heel strike- shortening strides can help - a proper stride is silent work on walking quiet. Check the natural foot wisdom vid that's a response above + runbare.com
@ sameskin: That's why this is called minimalist & barefoot! in 2009 Leif earned his 100/24 buckle- minimalist, and completed a marathon(on asphalt!) and 50k barefoot. Next is 100k barefoot. When rehabilitating the atrophied feet of western culture, it's recommended to go in steps- spread toes first, then go minimalist, then barefoot as feet strengthen.
Good video--thanks! I think I spoke briefly with Leif after Chris McDougall's reading at Powell's earlier this year. Since then I've picked up a pair of Vibram FiveFingers and am looking forward to using them more after the Portland Marathon (my first). I'm doing most of my training in racing flats now, and I'm convinced that minimalism is the way to go.
Im transitioning myself now, only 2 months into it using Vibrams and its great! Its not the for the impatient, but once you can build up to some serious miles you will be so much stronger for it than if wearing shoes. I can run a half marathon in shoes but only 4 some miles in my Vibrams just to give you an idea. So when I can run a half marathon in Vibrams who knows what I could do in shoes etc. Ran last night 4 miles in slushy snow in 17 degree weather in the Vibrams and it was great!
TheLinkMedic 1 month ago
This is a great interview, don't over do it, take your time and build endurance! Brilliant!
FitFeetIreland 10 months ago
I have torn carteledge in my right knee, I couldn't run without massive pains, after a 5 months of vibram five finger, and assorted barefoot running, I am not pain free, and I won my first 5 k barefoot.!!!! thank the lord that we are born to run!!!
SHADESLAYERR 11 months ago
We let our children go bare foot from birth and we can hike through the woods off trail and our 5 year old had no problem. Through rocky areas, through gavel through thistles we do just fine. The kids actually do better than me because I wore shoes forever until I decided that evolution does a pretty good job.
Atomikbrainfu 1 year ago 5
@Atomikbrainfu Thank you for sharing your story, and kudos for starting your kids off on the "right foot" : )
Technesoma 1 year ago
@Technesoma The truth is important
Atomikbrainfu 1 year ago
The noise of the barman removing the used coffee from the espresso machine is rather annoying. Other than that, the interview is rather interesting.
heathmoor 1 year ago
I'm 30, 140lb, 5'9". I have used VFF on and off for almost three years--VERY little running, but lots of strength and conditioning. But for the last six months I used VFF exclusively: deadlifting 2.5x my bodyweight, squatting 1.5x my BW, weighted pistols, dumbbell swings, 50-100 meter sprints...etc. and the occasional 1 mile run as a finisher; and since then I stopped taking Glucasamine but I also felt great, everything felt perfect.
melbusefi 1 year ago
Continue: so now, I have 12 weeks, yes I know, only 12 weeks, to get myself ready to run/walk (but mostly run) nearly 500 miles in the sahara/packed sand/desert. done only 17 miles this wk, and not feeling too bad. THE question: how bad will it hurt? or do all those deadlifts, squats, burpees and sprints resemble the demands of ultrarunning closely enough that I shouldn't even need to grit my teeth through training and the 500miles?
melbusefi 1 year ago
@melbusefi I cannot tell you how much it will hurt, as pain is an individual experience. I do suggest focusing your minds eye on how powerful, capable and great you'll feel as you log and finish the 500 miles, rather than focusing on anticipated pain. Three years of training your arches and feet to support themselves predisposes you for success.
-Technesoma
Technesoma 1 year ago 3
6:56 hahaha this is so true, first question I get every time. "uhhh you just don't step on the syringes and glass..."
UBCBarefoot 1 year ago
will 8 weeks be long long to condition my feet to run 13 miles (half marathon) assuming my muscles in my feet and legs have adapted to it. So just have to toughen the skin on my soles.
ad2894 1 year ago
@ad2894 What?
Technesoma 1 year ago 4
@Technesoma LOL
bellpeter27 1 year ago
I've been wearing Vibrams for about a month now and although I like it, my feet hurt. I live in NYC and I walk allot. Is there something I should be doing with my stride. or in time will this subside?
tumblingplanet 1 year ago
@tumblingplanet There is a rehabilitation curve to get through, Vibrams remove the arch support "crutch" provided by most footwear out from under our feet. This means we have a strengthening process to go through building the musculature responsible for self-sustaining arch support. Work on developing a forefoot strike rather than heel strike- shortening strides can help - a proper stride is silent work on walking quiet. Check the natural foot wisdom vid that's a response above + runbare.com
Technesoma 1 year ago 3
Pro 17:12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
corneloup81 1 year ago
@corneloup81 How does this relate to your feet? and/or what inspired you to share this proverb?
Technesoma 1 year ago
is this guy having coffee at a mechanic's shop?
courtnieJ 1 year ago 9
@campbpar What does that mean?
Technesoma 1 year ago
@Technesoma I think the pseudo-sexual conflict and estrogen is what helps shape a lot of ultra runners.
campbpar 1 year ago
Nice noisy place to do an interview
Running in FiveFingers is not barefoot running
samkeskin 2 years ago
@ sameskin: That's why this is called minimalist & barefoot! in 2009 Leif earned his 100/24 buckle- minimalist, and completed a marathon(on asphalt!) and 50k barefoot. Next is 100k barefoot. When rehabilitating the atrophied feet of western culture, it's recommended to go in steps- spread toes first, then go minimalist, then barefoot as feet strengthen.
Technesoma 2 years ago
"vee brum" :)
MdsFiveOhOneFour 2 years ago
I met Leif this weekend at mile 75 of the 100 in Da Hood as a spectator (wearing my Vibram Fivefinger Sprints) Love the new Treks ...
bconnolly001 2 years ago
i'm 53,running for 37 years and hip pain has gone away after experimenting w/barefoot running. Go figure.
autumn1231 2 years ago 14
@autumn1231 - Sounds more than super awesome, dude.
Jouwl 8 months ago
Good video--thanks! I think I spoke briefly with Leif after Chris McDougall's reading at Powell's earlier this year. Since then I've picked up a pair of Vibram FiveFingers and am looking forward to using them more after the Portland Marathon (my first). I'm doing most of my training in racing flats now, and I'm convinced that minimalism is the way to go.
SpineFine 2 years ago 3