I try to run at least one run each week barefoot on the treadmill. I feel like it helps me be really aware of my form and how my feet are landing. I find it virtually impossible to heel strike while barefoot as it just hurts too much.
My treadmill has kind of a rough belt, plus it gets pretty warm. In fact, the brand I have was deemed “unrunnable” by a barefoot runner who reviewed a bunch of treadmills. I don’t think it’s unrunnable, but around the four mile mark, the balls of my feet start feeling a bit roughed up.
Enter a pair of Adidas socks:
Why these socks? 1. I had them on already. 2. They are cheap. 3. They are black, so wouldn’t show the dirt as much.
I didn’t actually expect to wear them for the whole run. I just wanted to see how they felt. Turns out they feel just fine.
5 miles in 49:45.
Im so tempted to try the barefoot treading.
very.
I wear my Keen Trail shoes for running which are next to being barefoot and love them.
Not sure if I’m courageous enough to try barefoot totally on my treadmill..its kinda rough & brutal but hey I got it for $60 so what do I expect!
My feet get hot when I run barefoot on my mill. I figured it was due to the backwards pull of the belt. I never thought to keep a pair of socks on to see if it helped. Although I think I would wear holes in them pretty fast even with only a few barefoot miles a week. Let us know how they hold up.
I want to try the barefoot thing eventually too… having a treadmill at home would help a lot!
I’ve never tried barefoot running…i guess i don’t feel confident enough, and that’s my own issues that I need to work on!! and also i NEED a home treadmill 😉
I started running in socks last fall as a way to keep running close to barefoot in the cold. Works great. I bought a large supply of cheap socks from Costco, and they do the trick. Cheers!
Wow. Never tried barefoot running before because I have PF right now. Barefoot running would probably strengthen my feet.
Sounds like a good compromise!
I have never tried the barefoot running, but I sure did a lot of it when I was a kid! Do your feet feel weird when you run in shoes? Does it make a difference in your stride or pace or speed?
For some reason I cannot even run in Vibrams on the treadmill. Not sure why, but I just cannot get into a good stride on the treadmill.
Nicely done! And gotta love reason #1 haha. I try to run barefoot at least once a week too and for the same reason, it keeps me more aware of my body.
NICE!! What an affordable alternative to some of those finger feet shoes!
That’s a smart solution, to wear socks! I have tried barefoot running, but it was outside, and my dainty feet couldn’t take it… Running barefoot on a treadmill sounds like a great idea.
wow! Awesome! You have me tempted to give it a try!