Barefoot Running Advice » Beginners' Corner

BFR with Splayfoot?

(4 posts)

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  1. araun
    Member

    Hello, I make my first experiences with BFR and am absolutely excited about it! I'm a runner since 10 years, without any pain, most of the time on my forefoot (except descending steeply). I have bony splayfeet and heard saying that I shouldn't run barefoot or in VFF, because this will impair my splayfoot. I must say, that after my first short BF run today I feel the area with the typical horny skin between my first and second toe hot and painful.

    Could somebody give me an advice, if I should stop my BF-training?

    I hope to get an answer here! Thank you very much!

    Posted 2 months ago #

  2. pythelico
    Member

    How far was your run and what kind of surfaces did you run on?

    I'm just starting out too but, I have very dry skin on my feet (big knots of "horny" skin on my heels, toes, and big pad). but I've noticed that after my first few runs they hurt afterwards (they were definitely the pressure points between my feet and the ground). Over time they wear down and my feet actually look halfway normal.

    However, I think the safe advice is to take it very slow, listen to your feet, and give it some time. Don't continue a run to the point where it hurts (something I have to work on myself) and give your feet time to recover before trying another run.

    Basically, all the advice you can see in most of the posts on this forum :)

    Take it slow and have fun!

    Kelly

    Posted 2 months ago #

  3. araun
    Member

    @ kelly

    Thank you very much for your answer!

    I read all the advices here and started with the shoes in my hands 1/2 mile running on the road. Entering the forest I had to slow down to walking, because the pointy stones hurted too much. After some meters balancing over the stones I put my shoes on, continued my run (5Miles) and ended with 1/2 mile BF-road-running. My feet were hot, almost a blister at the point of my second toe.

    The second run I followed the same routine and had no more pain or hot feet afterwards. (only the stones in the forest hurted as before!!)

    Now I don't know how to extend my BF routine, because running on asphalt is not my joy but my feet aren't ready for the forest, where the tracks are everywhere covered with sharp-edged little stones.

    Did I understand you correctly: jour feet got more tender, less horny areas by BF running? I would be very interested in watching pictures of the soles of the feet of experienced BF runners. Or even more interesting would be pictures before and some years after!

    Sincerely, your araun

    Posted 2 months ago #

  4. pythelico
    Member

    Hey Araun,

    My feet definitely have gotten a bit smoother. They seem to be getting more tolerant on rough/pointy surfaces but they are more pliable than they were when I started (and I'm a relative new BF runner so, I'm sure my feet will change more over the next few months).

    As far as your question about how to extend your runs, I'd respond that you need to take it very slowly. I know it seems like a step backwards, but my advice is to remember that you'll need a few months to build up to where you're ready to do longer runs (especially on rocky trails or rougher terrain).

    So, if you really enjoy trail-running, keep doing that. Start out without shoes and run or walk for 1/2 mile at first and then finish your run with your shoes on. Next time, do the same thing and, if after 1/2 mile you feel o.k. then add just a bit more (maybe 1/8th of a mile). Don't start with shoes and then finish BF as your feet will be soft and tender from being enclosed in the shoes and you'll undo the work you've done so far on building up your pads.

    Go slow to go fast. If you're running on tougher terrain and trails then it may be slower going at first but you'll be building stronger feet quicker too.

    Be patient Araun, listen to your feet and have fun.

    Kelly

    Posted 2 months ago #

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