Took my VFFs for the first track run on Sunday. 6 miles at easy pace. Have soreness on outside of ankles. Stiffens in the evening. Not bad enough to stop running - just annoying. Normal progression due to using muscles/tendons/ligaments in a new way? BTW - running on treadmill and taking it outdoors is completely different as in night and day.

Carmel, Good to know regarding indoor/outdoor. Could you expand on the differences you're feeling? Thanks! AH

Let me try to put this into some words - I'm an engineer so this gets decey. When on the treadmill and running barefoot I can feel the belt move my foot backwards ever so lightly. It is also very soft to the sole. In this way I do not feel as if I am expending added energy to move. This also allows my posture to vary without impacting my effort When I run on a normal surface, I feel as though I am working slightly harder to move forward. Also, I find I need to focus more on my posture through feel of landing. I think all these feelings are good as I am more aware of my running in a whole. To me it is an efficiency and energy thing and the treadmill increases efficiency by external means whereas I have to focus when I am on a normal run. When I wear shoes (albeit flats) I do not get these responses either on the treadmill or on the road. Hope that makes sens.

Agreed. After three days of shod runs, the ankles are no longer sore. What I need is more barefooting.