so i got tired of putting on wet socks after a swim and decided to try running barefoot yesterday. They were brand new shoes. I decided to do a 4 mile run to see how it felt. i did the last mile with blood dripping down my heel and the shoes in my hand. BAD blisters right over my achilles tendons where the back of the shoe rubbed. Any solutions?
Wear socks.
Instead of putting them on in T1, put them on in T2. Literally takes about 6-8 seconds.
so no one runs without socks?
Body glide on your hot spots? I dunno. Never had a problem running a sprint or olympic without socks. I wouldn’t do it for a HIM or IM, though.
I wasn’t suggesting that at all. You ran w/o socks, got pretty bad blisters, and asked for a solution…so, wear socks. I have the same problem. I’m good for 5k, but anything longer and my feet are miserable. I just spend the extra couple of seconds in T2 to put on socks, which ends up saving me time overall. Some people have no trouble going sockless, others need socks.
unless you’re vying for the overall, I would always run with socks. like the other guy said, put them on in T2. running without socks is a terrible idea too for regular running shoes because they have lots of internal seams etc, but works okay for short course races in running flats
You tried your first barefoot run in new shoes over 4 miles? Not a good idea.
Try a shorter run (after your feet heal) in older shoes, and put bodyglide on the friction areas (usually the achilles and heel, maybe a dab under the toes) and see how it goes. Also, running a loop-course close to home will give you a bail-out option if something starts to heat up.
i dont like to do it, but for your blisters, pop them and put on some peroxide. you don’t want to get them infected, as that hurts like a beyotch.
so, keep them clean and wear open shoes if possible.
and wear the socks man!
so no one runs without socks?
I used to run without socks, but I’d get abrasions on the tops of my feet. Last year, I ran with socks I put on after the bike (putting on socks after the swim is an exercise in futility). I replaced my racing flats with new ones this year (same model, new version?), and lo and behold! no abrasions while running without socks. So, this year, no socks for me. They feel great.
I think it’s a matter of how your particular feet fit with your particular shoes.
Not a very smart way to try running without socks. I currently only run sockless in my Brooks T4 racers. I put baby powder in them and shake them to get them nicely coated. No problems.
all great replys, thanks ST’ers
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if you are serious about doing this…keep in mind it will be a developing process for a while.
i’ve run i don’t know how many thousands of miles, and dozens of races sans socks.
some shoes accomodate the process better than others…regardless of age or wear.
consider Easy Laces or some other expandable type of lacing system. this gives you the flexibility to find the right amount of tension. you’ll play the Goldilocks routine for a while until you find where it is juuuuust right.
start with short distances and slowly work up the miles while adjusting.
it is very workable if you give it time and attention.
i’d suggest staying away from using gunk in the shoes.
with the proper shoes and lace tension…all that needs to go in is your feet.
See thread:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1339617;search_string=gammy;guest=12718188#1339617
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I have been running sock-less for the last 5 years, the last 4 have been in Puma H streets…
Last week I ran 33 miles and I expect to run 30 this week… During that span I ran for ten days straight six of which were double run days…
No blisters no blood no lube… no problems… FYI I’m a POSE runner or mid foot runner…Heels don’t touch the ground…
Paul
I haven’t worn socks cycling or running in over 14 years. Yep, I got blisters when I first started without 'em. I even did 2 IM’s without socks. I got more blisters from wet socks then I do without 'em.
When I have a new pair of shoes, the first runs will be short, about 2-3 miles. I’ll put vaseline all over my feet. The vaseline will impregnant the spots on the shoes that rub my feet. Do this a few times and you’ll not get any blisters. In races, I put vaseline in the shoes where I normally feel rub marks as extra protection.
never ever go sockless in new shoes. make sure you wear the heel in until it’s soft before you try sockless. Also, put generous amounts of baby powder in the shoe prior to wearing to absorb the water/sweat.
i don’t run with socks on. it took a few runs to build up blisters but eventually i got hard skin in the parts that rubbed. also try body glide on your arches and heals
“They were brand new shoes.”
As has already been alluded to, this was not the smartest thing in the world to do (though I could easily find many less-smart things on the Darwin Awards website).
But I’ve found that sockless running is a two-part equation. Part 1 is shoe selection. Make sure there are no seams in areas that will move – they’ll cause blisters in no time at all. Make sure the shoes FIT. Also make sure that the material around the collar is smooth. I really don’t get the latest trend in running shoes to have this material that is the equivalent of a cheese grater surrounding the opening. Whatever happened to that soft pseudo-leather stuff that Nike used in the 90’s? That was GREAT stuff.
Part 2 is toughening up the feet, and taking care of them. Toughening them up is just a process over time, like increasing mileage – start small and build. You tried a 4 mile run off the bat and ended up shoeless for the last mile? Try a 2 miler next time, then put on socks. And use things like sand paper and such to care for the calluses and other spots on your feet. I’m not saying to do the spa thing and try to make your feet as soft as a baby’s stinky bottom. I’m taking about taking off the sharp edges and the like.
Hope that helps.
I have been running sock-less for the last 5 years, the last 4 have been in Puma H streets…
Last week I ran 33 miles and I expect to run 30 this week… During that span I ran for ten days straight six of which were double run days…
No blisters no blood no lube… no problems… FYI I’m a POSE runner or mid foot runner…Heels don’t touch the ground…
Paul
33 miles in a week and six days of double runs??? Are you doing two two mile runs a day?
…in addition to all of the above, the shoes have to fit.
A number of years ago Asics had a shoe with a mono tongue and a wave in the sole (I forget the name) that fit me so well that I did all my training without socks and did several IMs w/o socks. The shoes just fit me perfect in every way. Of course they stopped maing them.
I haven’t found another shoe to do IMs in barefoot, but always go barefoot in 1/2 IM or shorter.