Now, if I’d only had these babies…Like many of my ideas gone awry, it seemed like a good plan at the time. First, it involved walking on a beautiful day and that alone can mitigate many a bad consequence. Second, walking is a time honored bipedal tradition – and one I’m learning to embrace more fully as a legitimate fitness method (Charlotte to Brain: “It is TOO a workout! Shut UP!!”). And lastly, many fitness experts backed up by current research extol the salutary effects of walking. You know I’m a sucker for anything involving research and experts.
Besides, all I needed to do was walk home from my church, a distance just over 4 miles. How could I go wrong with walking?
Problem 1: Footwear. This is where I admit to being a total girly girl. I own more skirts and dresses than I do pants. I have two entire drawers in the bathroom dedicated to hair accoutrements (we won’t talk about my other “special” girly drawer in the bathroom.) I especially love my tall shoes. And the day’s sassy little spring dress called for an adorable-yet-still-aware-of-the-chilly-weather (are we seriously going to get more snow on Friday Mr. Bad News Weatherman?!) boot. Namely these:
(No, I wasn’t wearing a different color on each foot. I own the brown ones thank you very much.)With the built-in platform, these babies are 5-inch stiletto heels. Cute but not definitely not up to a 4-mile power walk. (In fact, if I’m being completely honest, they’re barely up to hobbling around indoor spaces for any length of time greater than an hour.) I contemplated my options, roaming my church building for anyone I might know who could give me a ride as I’d had to stay late for a meeting and sent my long-suffering husband home ahead of me with all the children. No rides in sight and hitchhiking not a good option, I decided to just strip off the boots, stuff them in my backpack and walk home. Barefoot.
I was very excited about the prospect as barefoot walking is supposed to be one of the new health crazes (crazies?) and the way home is quite picturesque. Besides, what could be more idyllic than a girl in a spring dress wandering barefoot through the dandelions? I felt like a Monet come to life.
For about the first half mile. Turns out that dandelions are very prickly and lawns in my suburban neighborhood are actually very sparse in comparison to the vast amounts of concrete and asphalt. You think running on concrete/asphalt is hard on your body? Try walking on it. By two miles the soles of my feet were in so much pain that I briefly considered going native and trying to weave myself a pair of sandals… out of plastic bags, fast food wrappers and – most strangely – a Swine Flu mask that I found on the side of the road.
By mile three I knew I could go no more. My feet burned and my toes were swollen and I was stepping in such a weird way that I’m pretty sure my calves will be in mutiny tomorrow. Stupid boots. Who wears non-functional footwear? Scratch that, who wears non-functional feet?! What is wrong with my pampered tootsies that they can’t even take a four-mile jaunt across sidewalks and lawns? Dejected, I dropped my crazy-heavy backpack and plopped down on top of it, leaning up against the street sign between a lube shop, a Pizza Hut and a motel of a dubious nature. Which is when I realized I’d gone from Girl Walking in Flowers to Girl Doing Apparent Walk of Shame.
I called my husband from my cell phone. “Look honey…” He was worried, “What did you do now?” I hung my head. “I’m just down the street but you’re going to have to pile all the kids in the car and come pick me up. Literally. As in you might have to carry me to the car.” After what seemed like an inordinate amount of time to drive a mile – during which I was amused by Turbo Jennie’s texted adventures in Wal-Mart and the honking of several cars – my family arrived with the youngest son hoisting a “rescue flag” out the window (handy had I been in an avalanche).
After spending the rest of the day limping around my house and wincing everytime I stepped on a cheerio, I think I learned my lesson. And that would be to never trust a researcher wearing shoes. No wait, it would be to get me a pair of Vibrams (yay, more shoes!). Actually, what I learned is that things that sound good in the lab don’t always translate very well to real life.
Have any of you tried out barefoot walking or running? Do you guys also love ridiculously inappropriate shoes? Or do you refuse to suffer for fashion?
Giveaway!
Interested in a $100 Spa Finder giftcard to pamper your tired toes? (Or perhaps a nice facial so that you too can sprout “inspirational” facial bones like Lady Gaga? Seriously how does she keep out-weirding herself??) Starting at 4/14/2011 at 9 a.m. central time, go leave me a comment on my giveaway site to enter to win!
And while you’re entering stuff – don’t forget to enter my big inaugural blog giveaway! It ends Friday at midnight!
I’ve been running in my Vibrams for about 3 weeks now, trying to follow the “barefoot style” (forefoot striking, very little heel involvement) and it’s been FABULOUS. When I run in regular shoes, my knees hurt for days afterward. With the Vibrams, the only pain I’ve had has been in my calves after the 1st day (that lasted for about a week, because I’m incapable of starting slow at anything). I’m usually wary of people preaching too much about anything, but I’m ready to start handing out literature on these shoes 🙂 I even converted my running hating boyfriend, who actually thinks running in these is fun.
P.S. If you do get them, mine weren’t really comfortable until I got the toe socks to go in them.
I think I really do need to try some Vibrams! Would probably have helped a lot, lol
Like you, I have ended up walking home in bare feet after church. Mainly because I took the bus, and Sunday buses run very infrequently and I didn’t want to wait the 30 minutes for the next connection. One of the best things I learned from that- find a $3 pair of ballet flats in the bargain bin and throw them in your church bag. Works well for staying longer than expected, when your feet and knees start to hurt from your heels.
Good idea! I think they actually make “foldable flats” now that you can shove in your purse…
I’m with Jessica on this one.
I ran last year with my Vibrams, started running with them again this week. I’ve got the calf muscle mutiny right now, but I expect they’ll fall in line shortly. I’ll start switching from the Vibrams to barefoot when the ground warms up a bit more. It can be done, but you need to ease in to it and build up some good callouses on the balls of your feet.
Yes, callouses would DEF. be a plus at this point! So impressed your going to go full monty! (well on your feet)
I once decided to go for a walk in boots and no socks, and ended up walking from my apartment near Boston University, down to the Museum of Science, across the bridge to Cambridge, up to M.I.T, back across a different bridge and down again to my apartment. After crossing the first bridge I had such bad blisters that I ended up buying a cheap pair of flats in Central Square before venturing home.
Of course, I could have taken the subway home, but no: that’s just what they were expecting me to do…
Hahah! You and I would be such good friends I think.
Uh, you do also know that when transitioning to barefoot, they suggest you go slow, right? Maybe a walk around the block barefoot first. Then a little longer, and a little longer. And maybe in a few weeks, four miles, once your feet have toughened up enough to handle walking four miles barefoot and your legs and feet have built the muscles to walk safely barefoot for long distances. I have a pair of smartwool classic VFFs that I love, wore all the end of last summer and through fall. This winter, I wore my boots into work, and then changed into my VFFs. My feet have never been happier. I recently transitioned to a pair of New Balance Minimus Trail, as I want to try running, and don’t feel my VFFs are appropriate for that (only because of the smartwool material, and how worn out they are now on the inside). If you seriously want to give barefooting/minimalist shoe wearing a try, start small next time. Your feet will thank you.
Best advice ever – for my whole life, frankly! Had I actually prepared and planned to try this out I might have realized that 4 miles is not a good starting distance. Impulsivity will be my downfall!
You and me both, lol!
I am constantly barefoot inside, and I workout barefoot (cause I workout in my apartment), but the broken glass on the sidewalks means my bare feet stay inside. Though give me some dirt and my shoes are off!
True – I never wear shoes at home! That has to count for something, right?
I have crazy high arches, like CRAZY high arches, so barefoot just doesn’t seem realistic, I really need the support.
I didn’t know it until I got professionally measured but I have high arches too! It made me feel superior until the shoe guy told me that’s almost as bad as flat arches. Oops:)
I have such sensitive feet that I can’t even walk around the house without footware of some description. I’m such a baby. I havern’t worn high heels for over 20 years so I’m out of touch with girly footware (unfortunately). Problem is I can’t do any walking at the moment due to plantar fashyitus (sp>?) Very painful !
Oh I’ve heard plantar fasciaitis (I have no idea how to spell that either) is really painful!
I love my fivefingers! I run in them, work out in them, and i’ve noticed when I wear them somewhere that involves a lot of standing, my lower back doesn’t hurt like it normally would (like after a day at disneyland). I also have really high arches, and have had no issues with needing more support- the human foot is designed to support itself, and baring a major deformity, no one “needs” 2 inches of padding under their heel. It only encourages a poor foot strike, because it allows you to land heavily on your heel. That shock travels all the way up your back and leads to low back problems and knee issues. With a minimalist shoe, it is impossible to have a heavy heel strike- it’s way too painful! You’re forced to adopt a shorter stride and land on the midfoot, which all makes for a safer run for your joints.
In addition, putting a thick layer between you and the ground decreases the feedback you get from the ground. The parts of your cerebellum that are responsible for ground proprioception and balance don’t get used, and with brain function, if you don’t use it, you lose it. This translates into more falls as we age. There’s some emerging research that indicates that how we currently treat patients who have had a stroke may be doing them more harm than good- we put them in some nice cushy orthopedic shoes and send them to walk loops around the mall. Especially in the case for a cerebellar infarct, they’d be better served to walk around in some more minimal shoes over uneven terrain so that those areas of the brain can regain as much function as much as possible. Walking on a flat even surface with a thick-soled shoe doesn’t challenge the brain, and the patient is more likely to have a fall after the stroke.
Note: I am also a girly-girl and I love my high heels. I just make sure I switch off with my unattractive five fingers after a day hooker heels to give my poor toes a little break 🙂
Day hooker heels!!! Buwhahahah! I love you. And this: ‘The parts of your cerebellum that are responsible for ground proprioception and balance don’t get used, and with brain function, if you don’t use it, you lose it. ” may have just convinced me to get some Vibrams! I love it when you talk science to me
I can’t help it- I hear science all day and it just burbles out of me! If you do get The Vibrams, I’d advise you to get used to wearing them slowly. After a lifetime of traditional shoes, it can be a bit of a process for your little foot muscles to realize that you actually *need* them for something and pull their act together. I wouldn’t get a pair and then wear them to an all-day mall jaunt without carrying a backup pair of your regular shoes.
I’m midway on the barefoot deal. I don’t wear shoes at home (like Sara I lift barefoot at home also), and when I go outside I always wear shoes that are too big for me because my toes must be free. (Remember when Mark Sisson posted indigenous vs Western feet? I have indigenous feet. I’m not sure whether or not to be proud of that.) I don’t think I’ll ever go barefoot on concrete (no give), but slight cushioning is OK, so I wear non-VFF semi-barefoot shoes when running. I could theoretically go barefoot on the grassy surface of the path I run, but the city doesn’t really clean the leaves at 5am, so I’m afraid of slipping on dewy leaves. Concrete + padding for me.
I kinda fail as a girl (in oh so many areas), I don’t wear non-functional footwear. I purchase shoes that are cute, but the moment they cause my feet any discomfort, they get instantly relegated to the back of my closet. Kinda sad, cause my shoes are so cute.
I think you should totally be proud of your indigenous toes! And, for the record, I wear “mom” shoes 90% of the time at home & running errands so maybe I need to relinquish my girly girl status…
Be proud of your indigenous feet, I’m so jealous! SO jealous! My feet are all squished and funny looking.
I’m with you though on the uncomfortable footwear. I try, but then I just go back to my hushpuppies(I’m 26 on the outside and 76 on the inside) and comfy sandals and moccasins.
I’ve been working out barefoot or in thin soled shoes for a few years. I just recently switched to more minimalist shoes for trail running (the New Balance Minimus). I love love LOVE them. Seriously. I’m going giveaway a pair soon on my site.
I would break my neck if I wore those boots. Not too long ago I was being a stubborn baby and decided to walk 4 miles home from church b/c I was mad about something. I was wearing flats and as soon as I got blisters I walked the rest of the way home. Barefoot wasn’t so bad but those flats of mine sure weren’t made for walking. He he!
Glad I’m not the only one who treks home from church! And yeah, my flats wouldn’t have been any better than my hooker boots either.
without the science, just experience talking here. i grew up in one house, with my granny’s house over “the street” – covered with pebbles. in granny’s house were ice cream, candy and cookies common, so you wanted to be able to get over there in easy and fast manner. as a kid, shoes take even longer time to get on feet, and then you have to get them off two seconds later in granny’s house, bah, barefeet is the key! after snow was gone it was important to train the feet to handle the pebbles, in april they felt sharp and horrible but you knew that if you could just get feet used to pebbles by end of may you could show up for ice cream really fast just in time for warm weather. by the end of summer we used to bounce and run across that field of pebbles without any problems! i know i have been skipping ropes on top of it… but i bet our feet had rhino’s skin underneath them by that time too, which would become a problem now as a grown up when you want to be fast in line for ice cream but also be able to wear cute shoes at other occasions. so for us grown ups maybe vibrams is the best choice? vibrams for the barefeet walk, and ballerinas in my purse for “i can’t stand these heels anymore” without killing the outfit completely.
This: you knew that if you could just get feet used to pebbles by end of may you could show up for ice cream really fast just in time for warm weather” is awesome. I think I just needed a better incentive to try more barefoot walking! (hello ice cream!)
A few weeks back, I went to the beach, and my feet were so sandy that I figured I’d walk home barefoot, so my nice shoes didn’t get all sandy. I made it to the bus stop (about 200m) so major props for making it 3 miles!!
Sand is like one huge pumice stone! I’m impressed you made it as far as you did! But I bet your feet were all pink and smooth by the end!
Alissa makes a great point- start slow!!!
Have you read anything on this by Dan Lieberman? He’s an anthropologist at Harvard and has written quite a bit on barefoot running and modern vs prehistoric man. He’s pretty good, there’s this journal called Nature that he publishes in…
I have not read Dan Lieberman! I do want to try this again… the right way for a change. My impulsivity is going to be the end of me someday.
We’ve got a country park nearby that has a ‘barefoot walk.’ I took my (just) 3yo along it last year, not realizing that it contained highly sharp stones and uncomfortable cobbles mixed in with the gloopy mud and cold water. Needless to say, I completed the whole thing with 3yo under my arm, over my back, on my shoulders. My feet were wrecked. Strangely, after the very refreshing (freezing cold!) wash at the end I felt very energized. Not enough to repeat again with a toddler though!
Hahah! Toddlers make everything more of an adventure! Sounds like you got a resistance workout (with an unstable weight!) on top of everything else!
I’m in the Vibram camp. I play tennis and racquetball in them; I stand for six hours for my job in them; I run and lift in them (another benefit: no compression on the soles means your squat form is better, too). I have better balance and foot and lower leg strength than most people, and in my little suburban community, they’re a conversation starter at the gym and in the grocery store.
Def. good for a conversation starter! Which is why I think I need the hot pink ones:)
I don’t have the bucks to experiment with VFFs, but my standard footwear for walking are Converse/Chuck Taylors, which are thin and totally flat. As long as the temp isn’t 100-degrees, I’m pretty sure I could manage barefoot walking without agony.
I think you should try it! Could be good for one of your day’s “routine breakers”!!
Ooh, good idea!
This is bringing back some pretty horrific memories of a trade show, 12 hours/day in heels that were not built for comfort, and blisters that made me want to die every time I moved.
I would love to hear what you think of the Vibrams if you end up trying them! I’ve been intrigued by those shoes for a couple of years now.
Me too! I totally want to try some!
And that first picture makes me immediately think of Buffalo Bill from “Silence of the Lambs.” Shudder.
I never saw it. And now I think I’m glad!
I LOVE walking barefoot! I do it all the time – on my carpet at home, on my hardwoods at home, on the sand at the beach (I live at the beach). Occasionally around a friend’s home.
I can’t imagine truly walking barefoot for exercise. I mean, I’m sure it looks and sounds great in a lab, but unless you have ideal walking conditions (and plenty of them, or are willing to go in really small circles 3,585 times), it just sounds painful. So many of the places I run are sidewalks and bike/running paths (paved with asphalt).
That said, whatever works for you. Like a few other posters, I have REALLY high arches and find that sandals or shoes with arch support make a huge difference for me. (High arch people – try Danskos sometime, but make sure you get the traditional footbed and not the newer footbed – it’s all soft and cushiony but has pretty much no arch. These shoes are amazing for my feet.) If barefoot/almost barefoot shoes work for you though, more power to you!
I do have high arches – I’ll have to look into the danskos! The chefs at the restaurant I used to work at swore by them…
I love to suffer for fashion 🙂 although less now than in the past (i’ve become more yoga pants & running shorts and less stiletto & tight jeans, lol).
spa time is awesome! especially for my gross runners feet :/ funny but true – my running buddy griend was at the ob/gyn who said “you must be a dancer or runner.” my friend thought it was because she was in great shape. oh no ‘ the gyn said “only runners and dancers have feet that gross”
“only runners and dancers have feet that gross”” Best thing I’ve heard all day! My feet are pretty nasty. I refuse to have my calluses filed off because by golly I worked hard for those and I need them!
I walk barefoot a lot, but most of it is indoors. My outside walking almost always involves something to protect the bottoms of my feet. I’ve tried distance walking in shoes that don’t have special support and found that all I end up with is sore knees, an aching back, and sometimes swollen feet & ankles. If I’ve got some distance to go I’m pulling on my Nikes so I can walk again tomorrow.
I have been lifting, sprinting, jumping and whatever else I can think of in my Vibrams for about 6 months now. I love them. The only thing that doesn’t work very well is to do Broad Jumps or Triple Jumps. Other than that they are great!
One piece of advice – if you can afford it, purchase some Nike Frees or other minimalist shoe and wear those as much as possible for 6 months or so. Then go to the Vibrams and take it slow. Just think about how many years we have been in max support shoes and then going straight to Vibrams can lead to injuries. Better safe than sorry!
I do have a pair of Nike Frees. Good point about taking it slow! I’m so bad at that – my impulsivity will be my downfall!
Honey, I’m so, so sorry for you and your poor feet. Major kudos for making it 3 miles!! But *hugs and more hugs* for the pain. Been there!
I love my feet. When I started doing yoga, I became intimately acquainted with them in ways I never had before, and although they are squished-looking(I have Morton’s foot, thanks Dad) they do all the things I ask of them. I LOVE my Vibram Five Fingers; I’ve never run so fast in my life as I do in the FF. I gave myself a stress fracture, running too far and too fast because I just didn’t want to stop. I’m trying to strengthen my feet by walking barefoot on my home treadmill(talk about black-bottomed feet!!) and I hope to develop calluses so I can go running completely barefoot.
I also am barefoot all the time at home; I lift barefoot and only put on shoes when I’m on the treadmill and I’m walking a long ways- my bare feet can’t handle more than a half hour of slow walking yet.
I’m still hurting for you over here- poor sweetie!
Thanks for the sympathy! Glad I’m not the only one who goes too far too fast sometimes! I really need to try out the Vibrams – esp. after your recommendation!
hahaha omg I’m sorry but I couldn’t help but laugh at your story. I imagine it was awful though!
I’m getting to an age (can’t believe I’m even saying that since I’m only 24) where I can’t wear flat shoes or heels for long periods of time. I went out walking for 3 miles in flip flops and my legs were killing me from no support. And heels? Ugh that’s even worse! It seems to just kill my knees and ankles!
I’m always barefoot inside my home, even when people come to visit O.o but I LOVE being barefoot. I started training karate when I was 5 so I’m used to the barefoot workout, I also do yoga and Tai Chi, so I can ditch the shoes. I even do usually-calls-for-shoes workouts w/o shoes when I’m home. I just don’t feel comfortable walking with no protection on the streets. And I almost never ware high heals, I’m around 6′ tall, so if I ware them I would bump my head on every lamp available!
Barefoot rocks!
I’m always barefoot at home too – it’s a practicality thing here, really. You don’t want to track snow and plow salt all over the house.
My husband swears by his vibrams. He only wears them to run. Not in public for regular shoes thankfully. I originally intended to get some, but couldn’t get past the ugly factor. Because those are some ugly, ugly shoes. I run in my Nike frees. I love them and will never go back to my traditional running shoes. if I’m at home I work out barefoot and I usually walk on the treadmill barefoot if I watch tv tonight. I’ll play in our backyard barefoot or walk on the beach, but other than that I wear shoes.
I have a ridiculous pair of five inch heels that I love, love, LOVE but I can wear no more than an hour before my feet burst in flames.
And I actually was expecting a barefoot post yesterday when I saw the barefeet in the mud pic. 🙂
I am typically barefoot at home, but after spraining my foot in 2009, I absolutely have to wear shoes whenever I workout, even if it is “just a walk,” or a video at home. Without shoes, my feet feel so unsupported and they hurt terribly. Sometimes, I even have to put them on at home, just to have something around my food. (And I hate that, after going barefoot for 30 years.)
These “toe” shoes are definitely interesting…I don’t know about comfy I’d find them, though. I hate having things between my toes! LOL
Okay I totally hate having things between my toes too! Those “toe socks” drive me NUTS. Although I suppose you get used to it after awhile…
I run barefoot and wear minimalist shoes to places that require shoes(like work). The trick is to work into into SLOWLY. Stretch your calves, ankles, and arches before and after walking/running. The rule of thumb I’ve heard is depending on your fitness level, add start with 3/4 mile of a walk and add 1/4 or 1/8 ddepending on what your weekly mileage is like. To help your arches , freeze water bottles and when you come in from your walk, roll them under the arches of your feet. Or use a tennis ball to roll under your foot. It will burn and will hurt but it’s because you are building muscles tha taren’t used to being used. Don’t give up on it yet. I’ve never run pain free until recently. I love it.
Okay, this: “I’ve never run pain free until recently. I love it.” totally makes me want to try it again! Do you go barefoot or use Vibrams? And yeah, I should’ve started slowly… that’s me, impulsive!
It seriously helped me stretch out my running gait, learn to walk properly. I will go barefoot as the weather improves but I live in Chicagoland and the cold/wetness of winter/spring has kept me in Vibrams. I love my New Balance Minimus’ for everyday wear. You saw my post but I was wondering if you wouldn’t mine spreading the word/link love about my challenge and giveaway.
http://walkamileinmyboots.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/i-triple-dog-dare-youand-my-first-giveaway/
I tried on a pair of vibram five fingers and couldn’t get past how weird it felt. Like I had holes in my socks. Blech. They do make “barefoot “running shoes without the stupid toes. But anyway, I think if you’re walking really barefoot, you have to start slow and work up the callouses .
In Vegas I saw some girls taking off their shoes and walking barefoot. Gross. I feel like they’re all going to get feet herpes.
I’ve also noticed that running really skews your sense of distance. 4 miles on a run? That’s only 40 minutes or less! But a 4 mile walk? Hours!! And I spend the whole time thinking, “WHY AM I NOT THERE YET?”
Okay, first I laughed out loud at this: ” I feel like they’re all going to get feet herpes.” FEET HERPES!!! And then I laughed even harder at this: “I’ve also noticed that running really skews your sense of distance. 4 miles on a run? That’s only 40 minutes or less! But a 4 mile walk? Hours!! And I spend the whole time thinking, “WHY AM I NOT THERE YET?”” Me too!!!!
Haha! This post was hilarious.
I don’t run. Ever. Like not even if someone was trying to mug me…I’d just give them my wallet. 😉 BUT I do take off my shoes to lift — it’s much easier to balance especially for things like squats.
Interesting! I’m going to try barefoot lifting! I can see how it would help! Thanks for the idea…
Vibrams work but they have that “I am a member of a cult and am desperate to tell you all about it, just ask me about my weirdo-toe shoes” look.
I just bought a pair of these.
Vibram goodness without the awkward stares, and they really feel good on the feet.
This: “Vibrams work but they have that “I am a member of a cult and am desperate to tell you all about it, just ask me about my weirdo-toe shoes” look.” is hilarious and TRUE. The cult of the toe-shoes… love it. Ooh and those Merrells look really interesting! May have to go to REI and try some on to see what they’re like!
Jason runs/walks/works/everything in his Vibrams. He loves them. I’m barefoot at home and I”ll be barefoot going to get the mail but that is about it! I like socks and I like shoes 🙂
I’ve tried barefoot running on the beach, but after a couple of errant sea shells that ended up in my soles, I gave up, and returned to wearing the running shoes…i just HATE sand in my shoes!!
I hear vibrams give you killer calf muscles though!! 🙂
Running barefoot on the beach is like running on sandpaper! On one hand, my feet never felt so smooth. On the other hand… ow.
Straight barefoot HURTS if you don’t build up callouses. I spend a lot of time barefoot in the house and yard in the summer, but I still wouldn’t have tried a length like that without shoes or not even with some of my sandals…I think you have to work your way up and wear something like vibrams. Too painful…With my knee being what it is and my pronating raches, I’ll take shoes for walking anyday 🙂
Yes, I am not good at “working up to things” 😉 Someday my impulsivity is going to get me in serious trouble.
Umm, yeah. Went running barefoot on the beach maybe 10 years ago (loooong before barefoot running was the new hotness). Ended up a huge awful blister on the pad of all ten toes. So very painful…
OUCH!
Also? Your pics make me shudder almost as much as Josie’s. Really.
Really?? I think Josie way outdoes me in the awesome/awful pics department – that woman is a photoshop genius!
I think it’s a good idea to spend a lot of time barefoot! I walked the entire Mall at the capital in Washington barefoot on the grass. Beaches, lose the shoes! However, when on man made surfaces, not mother nature made surfaces, protect your feet 🙂
Ooh good rule of thumb!
Charlotte, my feet are so bad that sometimes just walking on carpet barefoot hurts the. Age has taken away those fat pads on the my feet as you read in my post… UGH!
Oh I remember your post on that! Things I never knew about aging…
The picture is horrible. I am glad I have eaten already, otherwise I would be starving I suppose. As for the shoes – I have recently bought a pair of Merrells and I am rather happy with them (other than that it takes me five minutes to put them on that is, and that they make my feet smell). But I could not face been seen in VFF’s gorilla paws….
Here my account: http://thorfalk.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/merrell-true-glove-barefoot-shoes-a-week-in/
Oh I love it! I need to check out the Merrells – someone else recommended them too.
I used to run on the track barefoot when I was in the military occasionally. at first it hurt, then I liked it – only for a mile though.
I am also a love of artwork as footwear and was noy even steered away from towering heels when I leaned (after I investigated when I thought it may be the case) that heels shorten your calf muscles which can negatively impact run time.
So shoes do alter your body (or your feet)
Oh I believe it! Thankfully I only wear the heels about one day a week and only for a few hours. All my hours spent chasing wee ones are barefoot – for both of us!
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Thanks for giving us a laugh at your expense, Charlotte! Love your stories, although I imagine this expedition was more than you bargained for. Hope your dogs have recovered.
Oh I’m all good now, thanks! And what’s the point of doing stuff like this if we can’t all get a good laugh out of it;)
I was kind of hoping that the giveaway would be for hairy foot shoes. I’m a bit disappointed. I like walking barefoot in the grass or on the sand. Not on concrete! Ouch! Not to mention kind of gross where I live.. . Sorry your feet hurt so much. 🙁
I know those shoes are awesome and disgusting all at the same time right! Hobbit shoes!
I want to thank all of those who commented and gave their feedback on Vibrams. I’ve been curious about and interested in them for a while. I love being barefoot, but also love my fancy shoes. However, for the average day, I wear regular running shoes or cowboy boots. Diverse footwear I have.
Anyway, I love those who suggested getting a minimalist shoe before working up to the VFFs. Thanks for the info everyone!!
If you try any of the minimalist shoes, please let me know about your experience! I’m super interested… might have to get me a pair myself! (Because heaven knows I need MORE shoes.)
I don’t do crazy shoes.. love them… but through a self assessment that involved using my video cam discovered that I do not look sexy one bit… I look like I’m in pain… because I am in pain.. rediculous.. so I’ll stick to sensible shoes and balance it out with short flaming red hair.. hehe.. and yes I have a pair of vibrams… never wear um cuz you have to learn how to walk all over again and I just don’t have the time… strike midfoot instead of heel… but I have friends who swear by them… one actually got a note from her doctor to prescribe them so she could wear them to work (she was getting in trouble because vibrams evidently aren’t in the dress code!)
I love red hair! I think I told you this already but I have tried SO MANY times to dye mine red before I realized that my skin tone isn’t such that I can carry it off. Sigh.
Charlotte, I own those same boots in black and they are terribly uncomfortable! I have a tough time wearing them for a few hours, let alone walking long distances (meaning, down the hall at work) in them.
I also own a pair of Vibrams and I’m a runner, but I’ve never run in them. I started off wearing them a few hours on the weekend and walking around in them. I had planned to work up to running in them, but I hurt my Achilles tendon while I was running (in my running shoes) and that dream was put on hold. I have several friends who love them, but they’ve all said that it’s really important to start with super short distances (like 1/2 mile) and work your way up over time.
PS – Are you in Boston this weekend? If not, I totally saw your twin walking out of City Sports on Boyleston this afternoon. I was tempted to chase her down, but restrained myself. 🙂
I know, they’re awful. You’re right. Super cute but super uncomfortable! I got some of those Dr. Scholl’s gel inserts and they definitely help! And I still wish it was me in Boston. 😉
I only workout barefoot (and I drive that way too). A big reason why wI only work out at home 🙂 that and the crazy 5am hour that I get up to work out!
I saw Vibrams all over Disney this past week. At first I thought they were ridiculous, but after talking to lots of them and people at Warrior Dash and running events, I’m really interested!!!
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