• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Click here to download the  free ebook of Alberto Juantorena’s  detailed training workouts leading up to the 1976 Montreal Olympics

SpeedEndurance.com

Success in Track & Field ... and Life

  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Track & Field
    • 400 meters
    • 800m & Mile
    • 1/2 & Full Marathons
    • Long & Triple Jump
    • Hurdles
  • Training
    • Weight Training
    • Abs & Core
    • Injury Prevention
    • Shoes & Spikes
    • Masters
  • Coaching
    • Freelap Friday Five
    • Interviews
    • Sports Nutrition
    • Sport Psychology
  • Archives
  • Shop
    • My account
    • Checkout
    • Basket

Barefoot Running and the Vibram FiveFingers Sprint

You are here: Home / Track & Field / 800m-Mile / Barefoot Running and the Vibram FiveFingers Sprint
2
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

November 4, 2009 by Jimson Lee 2 Comments

Last Updated on November 19, 2010 by Jimson Lee

Arch_of_Constantine_Speedendurance I’m standing in front of the Arch of Constantine which is next to the Coliseum in the heart of Rome.

This historical monument was the finish line for the 1960 Rome Olympic marathon where Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia won the race barefoot.

Did I mention barefoot?

Running barefoot has its benefits, and today’s running shoe with all that padding and protection can sometimes do more hard than good.

Look at your sprint spikes – super light with ZERO padding.  At 12 meters per second maximum velocity, you would expect a lot of pounding and damage, but the opposite is true… you appear smooth as a gazelle.

Why can’t this theory apply to distance running?

Personally, I believe in some barefoot running, especially after the workout in the cool down, for proprioception benefits.  In addition, uphill barefoot running on sand dunes helps strengthens the calves and Achilles.  In an ideal world, you live next to beaches and sand dunes!

But back home, watch out for broken glass and dog feces!  In Vancouver, it’s mostly geese excrement on the infield. 

On the beach, I like to run barefoot on the hard part of the sand – the part where the water meets the sand.  No shoes required!  On a Sunday morning 20 minute run, simply run 10 minutes out and back! 

Vibram FiveFingers – More than Rockports

On the flip side, I am also a big fan of Vibram soles as I’ve been wearing Rockport shoes for the last 25 years.  If you’ve seen me in a suit and tie, chances are I am wearing Rockport dress shoes.

See also  2 Secrets to Sprinting: Forward Lean and Longer Ground Contact

Enter the Vibram FiveFingers Sprint for Men and Women.

These shoes are where barefoot meets the running shoe.

At first they look like rock climbing shoes, but upon closer inspection, the toes are separated like a glove!

Blisters aside, the most common complaint from these “shoes” are sore calves and the occasional tender arches.

If you are sceptical about barefoot running, or if your running trails are filthy, try the Vibram FiveFingers.

I would first jog on the grass infield, then progress to a runner track, and finally try concrete or asphalt.  But if you have access to trails and parks, I would run on those surfaces anytime.

Personally, you will find the traditional heel-toe mechanics too harsh for your body, especially if you are a heavy runner, and thus a more natural landing path will be the balls of your feet… not the toes!  Ironically, that’s how a sprinter runs! 

In other words, without artificial support, your body will adjust to the most natural and efficient mechanism.

The other most common pet peeve with the Vibram FiveFingers is “half sizes” are hard to find.  It’s like the old joke… half of the men in America are wearing the wrong underwear size because they sell them in even multiples..30, 32, 34, 36, etc.  So what happens if you are a size 29, 31, 33, 35?

At the end of the day, your mileage may vary.  Seriously.

Vibram FiveFingers Available at Amazon and other fine stores


.

Category icon800m-Mile,  Marathons,  Shoes & Spikes,  Track & Field Tag iconBarefoot Running,  Mile,  speed

About Jimson Lee

I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Adarian says

    November 4, 2009 at 7:51 am

    The only reason people even attempt to run heel to toe is because of current shoe designs.
    Most people will land on the mid portion of the foot right under the arch due to the thickness of the shoe sole.

    The biggest thing I have found with the vibram shoes is that is still does not allow the foot to move naturally. Sorta like having a tight sock on your foot.

    The reason peoples calves are sore is because they land on the backside of the ball of the foot. The foot then collapses onto the heel and then they do a calf raise onto the toes. Not a very efficient way to run.

    I think they make great walking shoes but not a very solid shoe to run in.

    But keep your eye out for a shoe designed by me that is going to be outstanding for any activity. That will not cause any lower limb issues what so ever even prevent ankle sprains. They will make you run faster by allowing your foot to move naturally and increase your ability to stay on the ball of your foot during ground contact and stay off your toes, heels and arches while running. They will also allow you to jump higher, stop quicker, change directions easier and just bring out your natural athleticism.

    But vibrams are a great step in the right direction.

    Reply
  2. Steven Low says

    December 2, 2009 at 11:19 am

    I agree wholeheartedly.

    I wrote a pretty long detailed article on this as well that demonstrates shoes have significant negative effects on modern populations:

    http://www.eatmoveimprove.com/2009/11/shoes-sitting-and-lower-body-dysfunctions/

    When you look at any of the 100+ barefoot culture populations around the world, none of them run heel-toe and NONE of them have any type of foot deformities like flat feet, bunions, talipes valgus, knock knees, etc. The contrast between “the civilized” population is pretty stark…

    Vibrams are good as are most types of minimalist shoes. It’s unfortunate that most people have been deluded into thinking that padding in the shoe or arch support is necessary for “safety.”

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Recommended

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xbs-aWxyLk

Shop Our Store

  • Bud Winter (9)
  • Championship Productions (6)
  • Clyde Hart (2)
  • Derek Hansen (1)
  • Electrical Muscle Stimulation (2)
  • Jim Hiserman (6)
  • Jimson Lee (4)
  • Uncategorised (0)

Articles by Category

Products

  • Jim Hiserman - Developing 800m Runners: Identifying, Categorizing and Developing 400m-800m Type Athletes $42.99 $39.99
  • Private Coaching - Monthly Plan $600.00 $525.00
  • Jim Hiserman-Developing-Distance-Runnersv2 Jim Hiserman - Developing Distance Runners Volume 2: A Systematic Approach to Developing Individual Success within a Dynamic Team Culture $34.95 $29.95
  • Feed-the-Cats-Clinic-3-Pack-701 'Feed the Cats' Clinic 3-Pack $64.99
  • Tony Holler's Feed the Cats": A Complete Sprint Training Program Tony Holler's "Feed the Cats" Complete Sprint Training Program $49.99
  • Bud Winter and Speed City presents Arthur Lydiard 509x716 Bud Winter & Arthur Lydiard MP3 [Download only] $9.99

RECENT POSTS

  • Oregon22 Coaches Club now Online
  • IFAC 2022: The Return of In-Person Conferences (with Virtual option)
  • Here is our 400m Discussion Recording… over 2 Hours Long
  • The Best Free Coaching Book – post Beijing 2022 Olympics
  • The Ultimate 400m Track Webinar for Coaches & Athletes
  • NACAC Athletics Coaching Science Series 2022
  • Top Six 400m Predictor Workouts (Number 4 is my Favourite)
  • Best 6 Podcasts for 2021 (and Beyond)
  • Why Karsten Warholm’s 45.94 400mH WR is my Highlight of 2021
  • Sprinting: 10 Research Articles for Effective Sprint Training [Part 23]

Copyright © 2023. SpeedEndurance.com is owned and operated by Aryta Ltd. Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}