I ran 30 barefoot minutes last night on a treadmill, set at 10 minutes per mile. That is the farthest/longest I have gone. Previously I did 10 minutes (1 mile) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The balls of both feet feel as if blisters are forming, but no visual evidence appears. My plan is to run outside (40 to 120 minutes) in Asics 2120 trail sneakers four days a week, and barefoot run 10 to 30 minutes three days a week. Good running all

I am fortunate to live near the beach so I can also try some soft sand running to see if that helps.

Actually, I don't think beach running is especially helpful. Running on soft sand is very unlike running on any solid surface, so you don't learn much. But if there's a boardwalk or other smooth but hard pathway near the beach, that could be an excellent place to start.

I've been impressed with Ed's story, too, and am glad this group was created. My Vibram KSO's just arrived (first pair wasn't good sizing) and I'm hoping to improve my gait and keep injuries at bay. I've got a few questions, but will put them in a fresh post so it's easy to track...

I do have one question though. Many years ago I tried wearing toe socks and didn't like them at all. I think that the extra fabric between my toes put them in an un-natural position and made walking uncomfortable. Has anyone experienced this with the fivefingers?

No, actualy I think it forces the toes to be natural. for the first few times in 5F, my little toes on both feet just could not fit in and I was very nervous from their position. I realize that I am used to curl them up and under the next toe, perhaps running walking like this all my life (maybe here the problems for decades ?) It was mental game to resist and stay in 5F, and get use to it, still when putting 5F on it is a struggle to straighten up the little toes and fit them in, but running is than perfect. As for the socks, here in aussieland, in chinese shops the toe socks are available for $2, these are kinda funky novelty ladies socks in funny stripes and colours and not suitable for long runs-ultras etc, but I run in these sock and 5F on the mountain trail race, about 11kms up hill, and after I did run down to get the car so altogether about 22kms and 4 hours (I was controling my MAF HR so taking it very slowly) and there was no problem with these socks in 5F. Runners using regular heavy shoes in ultras or road marathons wear injinji socks just for the reason to prevent blisters and all are happy so nobody seems to have issue with separating toes.

I'm one of those 'adult onset runners'. I'm running for two years now, and have been injury-free until now. A few weeks ago, dh (who's father is a shoemaker that made orthotics his whole life...) told me he heard somewhere, that a great part of foot-, knee- and hipproblems are due to wearing shoes, and that people who never wear shoes have much less orthopedic problems. He couldn't believe that article (after all his father made a living out of making shoes that should correct/prevent orthopedic problems). Knowing next to nothing about barefoot running, I replied that I could immediately believe the article. After all, nobody is born with shoes on his feet, and only a very small part of mankind has been wearing shoes, and only during the last few millenia or even shorter. I find it completely normal, that wearing shoes actually weakens the feet, the muscles, since part of those muscles in your feet don't have to work or aren't able to work properly when confined in shoes. So, to the defense of barefoot-running, but without any experience. As in America, here in Belgium winter is coming closer, so I don't think I will try to run barefoot in the next few months. But I'd like to inform myself in the next time (and search for a place where I can find those Lizards... Those Vibram-things seem only to be sold by 'Bever-zwerfsport' in Belgium/the Netherlands, but they only seem to cary sizes in the larger range (don't woman run barefoot?)

Going to jump on board! starting to pick up some injuries and fed up with shoe manufacturers changing there specification just when you think you have found a decent shoe. Will check in soon with my first impressions.

I run in these as well and love the Kilkenny's. I would say go slow to get accustomed to flats. I kept initial runs to 5k or less and started with 2 per week and built up from there. Doing the same with my 5F and it seems to work. You will find your feet and ankles get stronger and running is more fun. This from a chronic Achilles Tendonitis type. Haven't had issues since last December - about the time I started switching to flats. Good luck.

I use the sharp knife and performed shoe surgery, changed Nike frees 5.0 into 1.0 or perhaps lower ? simply cut off everything from the bottom between the deep grooves, so left only about 1 mm of material. I still left the front part of the sole so it feels like sprinting spikes and will use it like this - negastive heel for a while before cutting the fron away as well. they are now incredibly light. I do not understand why they cant cut it out in factury during manufacturing and only make those grooves for people to cut it at home