Greetings from Brazil. I'm new to barefoot running (it's been 4 months
since I started running, and started minimalist running since the
beginning). I started in VFF and learned soon that they were not the
best way to get into minimalist. So i started doing some runs
barefoot. They were great, but here's my problem now. I work in a
offshore oil platform (actually a ship). Since there's no way for me
to run around here without safety boots, my only option is the
treadmill. I never ran in a treadmill barefoot, due to my fear of
getting blisters. Also, I don't think they would allow me to do it due
to safety issues. So my only option is the VFFs. I don't know how much
my form changes due to the treadmill, or the ship rolling (you never
know if you are going up, down, sideways...) but it's much harder and
tiring to run on the treadmill. Also, my left achilles is always sore
after the treadmill (never happens when I run on land...). I really
hate the treadmill, but I have no other option. Another problem it's
that the days that I'm offshore doesn't help me with my foot either.
When I think I'm getting used to run barefoot without any pain
(related to the skin) I have to come back offshore. When I arrive on
land I have to start it all over again (of course, gets better every
time, but i feel I loose a lot from the 14 days I'm at the sea). Last
time I went barefoot the asfalt was hot (not that hot) and caused me a
blister in the first 50 yards of running. I just purschased a pair of
huaraches from invisble shoes. Will I have problems from transitioning
to them? What would you do? Should I forget going barefoot and just
use huaraches (land) and VFF (offshore)?
I'd stick with huaraches and moccasins on the treadmill. Running sock
foot is also an option.
The pitching and rolling might actually work for you, and take some of
the monotony/repetitive motion out of the treadmill.
Are you familiar with the 100-up exercise? It was designed by a
runner that did a lot of his training while standing at a chemistry
bench. It should work at sea too. I don't know if that's more or
less appealing than the treadmill, but it's more variety. Jogging in
place or jogging forwards and backwards in a short hallway are also
options. Running backwards is good for your form.
As for transitioning to the sandals, I think you'll be fine if you're
used to true barefoot. You just have to learn how to tie the laces so
they stay secure.
On Sat, Oct 13, 2012 at 9:08 AM, Felipe Porsch Telles
> Greetings from Brazil. I'm new to barefoot running (it's been 4 months
> since I started running, and started minimalist running since the
> beginning). I started in VFF and learned soon that they were not the
> best way to get into minimalist. So i started doing some runs
> barefoot. They were great, but here's my problem now. I work in a
> offshore oil platform (actually a ship). Since there's no way for me
> to run around here without safety boots, my only option is the
> treadmill. I never ran in a treadmill barefoot, due to my fear of
> getting blisters. Also, I don't think they would allow me to do it due
> to safety issues. So my only option is the VFFs. I don't know how much
> my form changes due to the treadmill, or the ship rolling (you never
> know if you are going up, down, sideways...) but it's much harder and
> tiring to run on the treadmill. Also, my left achilles is always sore
> after the treadmill (never happens when I run on land...). I really
> hate the treadmill, but I have no other option. Another problem it's
> that the days that I'm offshore doesn't help me with my foot either.
> When I think I'm getting used to run barefoot without any pain
> (related to the skin) I have to come back offshore. When I arrive on
> land I have to start it all over again (of course, gets better every
> time, but i feel I loose a lot from the 14 days I'm at the sea). Last
> time I went barefoot the asfalt was hot (not that hot) and caused me a
> blister in the first 50 yards of running. I just purschased a pair of
> huaraches from invisble shoes. Will I have problems from transitioning
> to them? What would you do? Should I forget going barefoot and just
> use huaraches (land) and VFF (offshore)?
Interesting problem you have. To answer your last question first, I've found huaraches to have similar ground feel to VFFs, at least in their thinnest versions. I see no real difference other than huaraches are more comfortable as long as conditions are dry. I'd expect the same relationship to hold in the thicker versions, but I only own the VFF Sprint, so I can't say for sure. It does take a bit of time and fiddling to learn to lace huaraches properly, but once that's done, they're a breeze. Literally. I like this lacing method:
Sadly, a couple of weeks off is enough to soften your soles. I run into the same thing just this week. It does come back quickly, but you do need to spend a week or so adjusting.
Have you considered jumping rope instead of using the tready? It might be a lot more enjoyable. It's a great way to build foot strength.
The general solution for achilles tendonitis is eccentric heel drops. Start on a block, on one foot, up on your toes. Lower your weight slowly. Using the other leg, raise your weight back up. Don't push with the exercising leg on the way up. Repeat. Once you can do 50, start adding weight via a vest or backpack.
On Saturday, October 13, 2012 7:08:22 AM UTC-6, Felipe Porsch Telles wrote:
> Hey,
> Greetings from Brazil. I'm new to barefoot running (it's been 4 months > since I started running, and started minimalist running since the > beginning). I started in VFF and learned soon that they were not the > best way to get into minimalist. So i started doing some runs > barefoot. They were great, but here's my problem now. I work in a > offshore oil platform (actually a ship). Since there's no way for me > to run around here without safety boots, my only option is the > treadmill. I never ran in a treadmill barefoot, due to my fear of > getting blisters. Also, I don't think they would allow me to do it due > to safety issues. So my only option is the VFFs. I don't know how much > my form changes due to the treadmill, or the ship rolling (you never > know if you are going up, down, sideways...) but it's much harder and > tiring to run on the treadmill. Also, my left achilles is always sore > after the treadmill (never happens when I run on land...). I really > hate the treadmill, but I have no other option. Another problem it's > that the days that I'm offshore doesn't help me with my foot either. > When I think I'm getting used to run barefoot without any pain > (related to the skin) I have to come back offshore. When I arrive on > land I have to start it all over again (of course, gets better every > time, but i feel I loose a lot from the 14 days I'm at the sea). Last > time I went barefoot the asfalt was hot (not that hot) and caused me a > blister in the first 50 yards of running. I just purschased a pair of > huaraches from invisble shoes. Will I have problems from transitioning > to them? What would you do? Should I forget going barefoot and just > use huaraches (land) and VFF (offshore)?
I run barefoot on the treadmill all the time, (but not on a ship :). The key thing is to start slow and increase the mileage little by little just like BFing outside.
The hundred up that Denise mentioned is also a good idea. You may also want to try other functional movement activities, barefoot, of course. :)
On Saturday, October 13, 2012 8:08:22 AM UTC-5, Felipe Porsch Telles wrote:
> Hey,
> Greetings from Brazil. I'm new to barefoot running (it's been 4 months > since I started running, and started minimalist running since the > beginning). I started in VFF and learned soon that they were not the > best way to get into minimalist. So i started doing some runs > barefoot. They were great, but here's my problem now. I work in a > offshore oil platform (actually a ship). Since there's no way for me > to run around here without safety boots, my only option is the > treadmill. I never ran in a treadmill barefoot, due to my fear of > getting blisters. Also, I don't think they would allow me to do it due > to safety issues. So my only option is the VFFs. I don't know how much > my form changes due to the treadmill, or the ship rolling (you never > know if you are going up, down, sideways...) but it's much harder and > tiring to run on the treadmill. Also, my left achilles is always sore > after the treadmill (never happens when I run on land...). I really > hate the treadmill, but I have no other option. Another problem it's > that the days that I'm offshore doesn't help me with my foot either. > When I think I'm getting used to run barefoot without any pain > (related to the skin) I have to come back offshore. When I arrive on > land I have to start it all over again (of course, gets better every > time, but i feel I loose a lot from the 14 days I'm at the sea). Last > time I went barefoot the asfalt was hot (not that hot) and caused me a > blister in the first 50 yards of running. I just purschased a pair of > huaraches from invisble shoes. Will I have problems from transitioning > to them? What would you do? Should I forget going barefoot and just > use huaraches (land) and VFF (offshore)?
Actually, it depends on the treadmill .. but I can confirm getting nasty blisters from running barefoot on the treadmill.. nothing socks couldn't solve though.. just slip a pair of socks on and you'll be good to go.
On Saturday, October 13, 2012 4:08:22 PM UTC+3, Felipe Porsch Telles wrote:
> Hey,
> Greetings from Brazil. I'm new to barefoot running (it's been 4 months > since I started running, and started minimalist running since the > beginning). I started in VFF and learned soon that they were not the > best way to get into minimalist. So i started doing some runs > barefoot. They were great, but here's my problem now. I work in a > offshore oil platform (actually a ship). Since there's no way for me > to run around here without safety boots, my only option is the > treadmill. I never ran in a treadmill barefoot, due to my fear of > getting blisters. Also, I don't think they would allow me to do it due > to safety issues. So my only option is the VFFs. I don't know how much > my form changes due to the treadmill, or the ship rolling (you never > know if you are going up, down, sideways...) but it's much harder and > tiring to run on the treadmill. Also, my left achilles is always sore > after the treadmill (never happens when I run on land...). I really > hate the treadmill, but I have no other option. Another problem it's > that the days that I'm offshore doesn't help me with my foot either. > When I think I'm getting used to run barefoot without any pain > (related to the skin) I have to come back offshore. When I arrive on > land I have to start it all over again (of course, gets better every > time, but i feel I loose a lot from the 14 days I'm at the sea). Last > time I went barefoot the asfalt was hot (not that hot) and caused me a > blister in the first 50 yards of running. I just purschased a pair of > huaraches from invisble shoes. Will I have problems from transitioning > to them? What would you do? Should I forget going barefoot and just > use huaraches (land) and VFF (offshore)?
On Monday, October 15, 2012 3:06:33 PM UTC-4, naim wrote: > Actually, it depends on the treadmill .. but I can confirm getting nasty > blisters from running barefoot on the treadmill.. nothing socks couldn't > solve though.. just slip a pair of socks on and you'll be good to go.
On Monday, October 15, 2012 10:21:13 PM UTC+3, Sean Gavor wrote:
> +1 on what naim said. I've never gotten a blister from dreadmill sock > running.
> I've even done the experiment. I ran for 1 hour on the mill with socks on > with no problems. I took them off and felt a hotspot forming within > minutes.
> hehe, exactly what happened to me firstt time i ran on the treadmill..
only i felt the heat and ignored it, kept running.. half an hour later i stop and check my feet, huge nasty blisters ..
On Monday, October 15, 2012 3:06:33 PM UTC-4, naim wrote:
>> Actually, it depends on the treadmill .. but I can confirm getting nasty >> blisters from running barefoot on the treadmill.. nothing socks couldn't >> solve though.. just slip a pair of socks on and you'll be good to go.
