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The return of barefoot running....now with Five Fingers!

lowflier03 said:
Anyone know of a place in the Southeast that has either the Sprints or KSOs in a 40? Everyplace seems to be sold out and no one knows when they'll get more.
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I know it's a haul for you, but there are a couple places in P'Cola/Orange Beach that sell them, don't know about sizes though. P'Cola: Intracoastal Outfitters 850-432-8638, Orange Beach: Sand dollar Lifestyles (where I got mine) 251.981.8401 If they have them in a 40 let me know, I could swing by and pick you some up/mail them to you.
 
I've been using these things off and on for a while now. My 1.5 mile run time drops a little bit when I'm wearing the KSOs, but that might just happen because the "running" shoes I wear are a really clunky pair of Adidas Bounces.

The novelty wears off kind of quickly, but the five-fingers got me excited about running for a couple months and I haven't stopped running, which is my biggest problem. I live in Scottsdale, Az and the only real problem I have with these things (besides the stares) is that pavement/blacktop road get very hot when the thermometer goes above 95 and you can definitely feel it through the shoe. Its only May, and I'm already feeling a little uncomfortable on the road so I will probably be hanging these up for the summer when we start getting our 100+ degree days.

Probably worth it if you can shell out the $85-90.
 
Max_Power said:
I live in Scottsdale, Az and the only real problem I have with these things (besides the stares) is that pavement/blacktop road get very hot when the thermometer goes above 95 and you can definitely feel it through the shoe. Its only May, and I'm already feeling a little uncomfortable on the road so I will probably be hanging these up for the summer when we start getting our 100+ degree days.
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A tip learned from serious distance runners...Learn to run on the white lines. Sometimes the summer heat on blacktop can melt the soles of regular running shoes.
 
So I bought some KSOs and really like running with them. Unfortunately, there's no way I can wear them at OCS (well I could but...). So what I'm wondering is, has anyone tried the Nike Free shoes? I figured they could be good to bring to OCS if I'm still on the barefoot train next year.

So, anyone tried both the Nike Frees and the Vibrams? Any notable differences?
 

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Bergers- I saw those at foot locker the other day and was wondering the same thing. I can tell you just from looking at them and owning the five-fingers is that they went for a similar approach but it still doesn't compare.

There is more material = more weight
Less flexibility = less awareness/control
You can see a thick foam bottom = Completely counter-intuitive to the vibram philosophy of barefoot running
And no one will ask you where you got them on a regular basis.

I just alternate my vibrams and Asics so im ready for OCS. I love the philosophy but there will be plenty of time to train barefoot after OCS.
 
Just got my VFF VSO Treks yesterday. Almost $125.

Did a hash with mixed on- and off- road and had good results. Did bruise my foot a little on a rock, but otherwise felt very good on all terrain.
 
I opted for the KSOs. I have a golf course in my back yard. It is money to run on, I banged out 2.5 in under 17 yesterday with no shin pain (really effing fast for me...). Lots of calf muscle soreness, but no pain in my shin bones while I run, which I can't claim in regular shoes. Kicking pretty hard off the back foot and snapping it up a la pose running helps for speed, too.
 
I posted my fastest 10k time since college in my KSO's last Monday: 35:45.

I thought they were just making me stronger and being nicer on my joints than regular shoes. I didn't think they were actually making me faster, but there it is.
 
PropAddict said:
I posted my fastest 10k time since college in my KSO's last Monday: 35:45.

I thought they were just making me stronger and being nicer on my joints than regular shoes. I didn't think they were actually making me faster, but there it is.
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Yeah, I got my best PRT time in my VFFs a few months ago. Dropped almost 1min off of my average time.
 
http://www.theshoemart.com/

I searched up and down online...including their website, but finally found them here:
http://www.theshoemart.com/

I was looking doe something that was somewhat subtle so I opted for the all black sprints...looking forward to trying them out. I hate running, always have really bad quad pains to the point I can't move...hopefully this change in running style makes the difference..
 
Nasty Flyer said:
http://www.theshoemart.com/

I searched up and down online...including their website, but finally found them here:
http://www.theshoemart.com/

I was looking doe something that was somewhat subtle so I opted for the all black sprints...looking forward to trying them out. I hate running, always have really bad quad pains to the point I can't move...hopefully this change in running style makes the difference..
Click to expand...

The VFF pretty much forces you to run in the ideal "figure four" position. Historically, I've had a lot of knee/ITB problems when running. I've yet to have any of those issues with the VFF.

A few months ago I made the impulse buy of the Bikila:
rei-vibram-bikila.jpg


Minimal difference between the Bikila and the KSO, I think the Bikila tends to be a tad more comfortable for running, but less multi-purpose than the KSO.
 
I think the Bikila would be a good pick for an urban runner, the tread seems like it'd be more suited to artificial sufaces like concrete and asphalt.

I've been running a bit in the city and the KSO's are no fun on concrete.
 
Last Summer I got interested in barefoot running (non heel strike running) and picked up my first pair of Nike Frees. I have gradually worked my way up to 30-40 miles a week and have not had any pain in my feet, ankles, or legs. I decided to pick up a pair of Vibram Five Finger Bikila's. I have put 12 miles so far on them this week and am definitely feeling it in my feet, ankles, and calves (but in a good way). My question is, how much increase in performance have you guys noticed by switching to the five fingers? My 5K time is hovering around 19:30. I am hoping to get it sub 18:00 by Spring.
 
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