Unfortunately, the thin mesh on the KSOs was still somehow enough to chafe my feet, I have two spots on the top of each foot where the skin was rubbed off, it was cold in the morning and the shirt chaffed my nipples until they were bleeding at the end, I scraped the backside of my leg jumping over some concrete barriers, I have a blister on each big toe, and my muscles are sore as hell. So yeah, I'll be taking it easy this week.
Some doctor felt the need to come and talk to me about my shoes. He said that I should only wear them for sprinting and not distance running because they were really bad for me, especially on concrete and that they are only for grass and dirt. He said he was a podiatrist and saw lots of foot injuries from those. I didn't bother to explain to him that I've never had trouble with my feet, my issue was always with my knees and they are a lot better now that I've switched to minimalist running. He had already pretty much invalidated any medical advice by suggesting that if I don't believe him I should run a half marathon with my vibrams on one foot and a regular running shoe on the other foot and see which one feels better. Any "professional" that suggests something that stupid, even though he might be half-joking (unless you specify that you're kidding, people might very well listen to you since you're a doctor, and he also sounded like he could have been serious, it was hard to tell), isn't someone I'm inclined to listen to.
I just did the Army 10 Miler yesterday in DC. It was a good time, although now my legs are sore as ****. I came in at 90 minutes. A 9 minute mile pace isn't particularly awesome, but it's not bad, especially since I didn't really train for it. It still put me in the top half and my team did pretty good overall. I wore my Vibram KSOs, which was great for the run itself, but I made the mistake of not bringing another pair of shoes to change into afterwards and there was a lot of walking to be done. When I got back to the hotel and switched to my skeletoes it was a great and glorious event and my feet thanked me for it.
THat's awesome. When did you finally get the KSOs?
Unfortunately, the thin mesh on the KSOs was still somehow enough to chafe my feet, I have two spots on the top of each foot where the skin was rubbed off, it was cold in the morning and the shirt chaffed my nipples until they were bleeding at the end, I scraped the backside of my leg jumping over some concrete barriers, I have a blister on each big toe, and my muscles are sore as hell. So yeah, I'll be taking it easy this week.
That's pretty odd. I've not heard of the top mesh chafes. I have heard people say some of the inside stitching rubs against their feet and some people get hot spots. You may want to try the Bikilas. THey has a nicer material used for the upper. There are also the Bikila Ls. They let you adjust the upper. The Bikila sole is a little bit thicker, but they are great for running. They fixed the stitching on the inside, so you won't feel any stitching rubbing against your toes. It cuts down on the hot spots and chafing.
Some doctor felt the need to come and talk to me about my shoes. He said that I should only wear them for sprinting and not distance running because they were really bad for me, especially on concrete and that they are only for grass and dirt. He said he was a podiatrist and saw lots of foot injuries from those. I didn't bother to explain to him that I've never had trouble with my feet, my issue was always with my knees and they are a lot better now that I've switched to minimalist running. He had already pretty much invalidated any medical advice by suggesting that if I don't believe him I should run a half marathon with my vibrams on one foot and a regular running shoe on the other foot and see which one feels better. Any "professional" that suggests something that stupid, even though he might be half-joking (unless you specify that you're kidding, people might very well listen to you since you're a doctor, and he also sounded like he could have been serious, it was hard to tell), isn't someone I'm inclined to listen to.
He's a podiatrist. I'm amazed he didn't try to sell you supportive insolves. A lot of podiatrists have problems with VFFs and the other types of minimalist shoes. They have this idea that everyone needs shoes that correct the way they walk/run and have support. Fortunately not all podiatrists ar that dumb. My GF had to go to a podiatrist because she hurt herself running. I had bought her a pair of Bikilas, and told her to take it slow because she needed to adjust her running form. Of course, since it was me telling her something that I had experiece with, she completely ignored it, and she ran about 5 miles her very first time wearing them.
When we went to the podiatrist he told her that those were horrible shoes to run in because they had no support, and the soles had no cushioning. About a month later when we went back, he saw me wearing my KSOs, and he asked me if I liked them. I told him I loved them, and that I don't wear regular shoes anymore. He told me he had a bunch of people that were runners and that they loved the also, and he started telling me how they were beneficial. Apparently it only took a month, and some runners for clients for him to learn something new. All the people working in his office wanted to know where to get them.
THat's awesome. When did you finally get the KSOs?
I think about a month ago. I actually wanted the Bikilas but the KSOs were 50% off and it was hard to argue with that.
That's pretty odd. I've not heard of the top mesh chafes. I have heard people say some of the inside stitching rubs against their feet and some people get hot spots. You may want to try the Bikilas. THey has a nicer material used for the upper. There are also the Bikila Ls. They let you adjust the upper. The Bikila sole is a little bit thicker, but they are great for running. They fixed the stitching on the inside, so you won't feel any stitching rubbing against your toes. It cuts down on the hot spots and chafing.
You know what, I that's exactly what it was. I looked at my shoes and where my scabs are, and they line up exactly with the stitching. I could feel it during the race so I knew it wasn't going to be pretty when I finished, but I didn't want to stop either. I'd like to get the Bikilas eventually, but right now I don't do enough long runs like this to justify the expense and the stitching doesn't bother me on my normal shorter runs.
He's a podiatrist. I'm amazed he didn't try to sell you supportive insolves. A lot of podiatrists have problems with VFFs and the other types of minimalist shoes. They have this idea that everyone needs shoes that correct the way they walk/run and have support.
Yeah, I wonder how they think humans managed to pull it off for thousands of years before their profession came about.
Fortunately not all podiatrists ar that dumb. My GF had to go to a podiatrist because she hurt herself running. I had bought her a pair of Bikilas, and told her to take it slow because she needed to adjust her running form. Of course, since it was me telling her something that I had experiece with, she completely ignored it, and she ran about 5 miles her very first time wearing them.
When we went to the podiatrist he told her that those were horrible shoes to run in because they had no support, and the soles had no cushioning. About a month later when we went back, he saw me wearing my KSOs, and he asked me if I liked them. I told him I loved them, and that I don't wear regular shoes anymore. He told me he had a bunch of people that were runners and that they loved the also, and he started telling me how they were beneficial. Apparently it only took a month, and some runners for clients for him to learn something new. All the people working in his office wanted to know where to get them.
Go figure. At least he learned, though. Some people never do. Hopefully your wife learned too and didn't end up hurting herself. Not that I can criticize her given my 18 mile walk/jog on my second day in my skeletoes.
I think about a month ago. I actually wanted the Bikilas but the KSOs were 50% off and it was hard to argue with that.
That is awesome. Where did you get them from? I'm going to be needing a new pair of the black KSOs soon. After almost three years they are finally wearing out.
You know what, I that's exactly what it was. I looked at my shoes and where my scabs are, and they line up exactly with the stitching. I could feel it during the race so I knew it wasn't going to be pretty when I finished, but I didn't want to stop either. I'd like to get the Bikilas eventually, but right now I don't do enough long runs like this to justify the expense and the stitching doesn't bother me on my normal shorter runs.
Yeah, it's a common complaint people have of the KSOs. There ae some Injinji toe-sock liners you could probably get to help with that. They are extremely thin, but they should do the job. Check out the top row.
www.injinjistore.com/Merchant2/merchant....
Yeah, I wonder how they think humans managed to pull it off for thousands of years before their profession came about.
Yeah, I wonder how they think humans managed to pull it off for thousands of years before their profession came about.
Yeah, I wonder how they think humans managed to pull it off for thousands of years before their profession came about.
Seems legit.
That is awesome. Where did you get them from? I'm going to be needing a new pair of the black KSOs soon. After almost three years they are finally wearing out.
I got them from a place called the Shoe and Sneaker Barn. The black KSOs weren't on sale, though, only the gray ones.
Yeah, it's a common complaint people have of the KSOs. There ae some Injinji toe-sock liners you could probably get to help with that. They are extremely thin, but they should do the job. Check out the top row.
www.injinjistore.com/Merchant2/merchant....
I've been thinking about those anyway since it's starting to get colder. My wife told me to get them earlier and naturally I ignored her and now whenever I do get them I'm going to hear it from her.
Yeah, I'm amazed you didn't cripple yourself with that run. THen again, it all depends on the person. Some people can go all out running barefoot from day one. Then there are people who take a long time to get in proper form.
Well those videos you linked to helped a lot, otherwise my dumb ass probably would have kept running the same way and then I'm sure I would have hurt myself. And as it happened that is also a good technique for rucking and I was preparing for a timed ruck march. Although the Big Army likes to think that the normal heel to toe method is the way to go, the SF training guide (which I trust over random NCO #13) suggested something closer to minimalist running anyway.
www.csnwashington.com/pages/video?PID=BB...
I've been thinking about those anyway since it's starting to get colder. My wife told me to get them earlier and naturally I ignored her and now whenever I do get them I'm going to hear it from her.
I've been wanting to get a few, but at around $10 a pair, I prefer to go without socks. Freaking expensive socks.
Well those videos you linked to helped a lot, otherwise my dumb ass probably would have kept running the same way and then I'm sure I would have hurt myself. And as it happened that is also a good technique for rucking and I was preparing for a timed ruck march. Although the Big Army likes to think that the normal heel to toe method is the way to go, the SF training guide (which I trust over random NCO #13) suggested something closer to minimalist running anyway.
I'm glad those videos helped. Why don't they just use the SF training guide for all personel? Oh.. wait... I forgot, it's the army.
The video of when I came in. I won't bother pointing myself out because it took me 20 minutes of searching to find myself in it so that makes it pretty much impossible for you guys but you can see the giant crowd of people I was in the middle of (and trying to weave through to move ahead) for the entire race.
www.csnwashington.com/pages/video?PID=BB...
Very cool. Did anyone elsehave on VFFS?
The video of when I came in. I won't bother pointing myself out because it took me 20 minutes of searching to find myself in it so that makes it pretty much impossible for you guys but you can see the giant crowd of people I was in the middle of (and trying to weave through to move ahead) for the entire race.
www.csnwashington.com/pages/video?PID=BB...
Very cool. Did anyone elsehave on VFFS?
Yeah, I saw a few others. Not very many, but the Army is still very much against them, plus it's an entire culture that doesn't readily accept change.
The video of when I came in. I won't bother pointing myself out because it took me 20 minutes of searching to find myself in it so that makes it pretty much impossible for you guys but you can see the giant crowd of people I was in the middle of (and trying to weave through to move ahead) for the entire race.
www.csnwashington.com/pages/video?PID=BB...
Very cool. Did anyone elsehave on VFFS?
Yeah, I saw a few others. Not very many, but the Army is still very much against them, plus it's an entire culture that doesn't readily accept change.
You would think the army would look into this and determine if it is beneficial for soldiers instead of letting some old man who hasn't run in years, has a hard-on for routine determine what works best.
I've been wanting to get a few, but at around $10 a pair, I prefer to go without socks. Freaking expensive socks.
Yeah, well some of my rucking socks are about $10 a pair too. I'll probably do the same thing where I just have a couple pairs that I use irregularly so I don't lose them or wear them out.
Why don't they just use the SF training guide for all personel? Oh.. wait... I forgot, it's the army.
Exactly. I hate it whenever I try to show something like "this is the way SF does it" or "well this is the equipment SF uses for this type of thing" and I just hear "well that's SF, not us" as if that's an excuse for being ****ing retarded. Yes, I get that sometimes people want gear or to do certain things just to look cool without regard for the mission, but if you are performing a certain task and they perform the same or similar task, why would you not look at what they are doing? Last I checked, they don't often keep doing things that they know don't work or using equipment that they know is crap.
You would think the army would look into this and determine if it is beneficial for soldiers instead of letting some old man who hasn't run in years, has a hard-on for routine determine what works best.
This is the same Army that let an officer who hadn't been in the infantry in years, probably over a decade, (and left the infantry because he was mediocre at best) manage their weapons. I heard this guy claim that the M4 was the best carbine in the entire world, and then in the same breath told us that the carbine competition would give us a better one (how can we get a better one if we already have the best?). He already told us that we shouldn't believe what we've heard about the 416 and the fact that Delta Force and the AWG loved it doesn't mean anything, and likewise the fact that SF likes the SCAR doesn't mean anything either.
He also claimed that the new shotgun that attaches to the M4 could hit everyone in the conference room with one shot (a single shell doesn't even contain enough shot to hit everyone that was in the room even if each pellet struck a different person, not to mention it was far too wide of an arc for a shotgun). Or how when troops needed a lighter machine gun they were given one (because SF and SEALs already had one they had been using for years) but that was just temporary because his office was having a new one developed that would cost a buttload of money and still weighed more than the "interim" one.
The Army's PT advisors aren't any better. They first tried to argue that the VFFs provided an unfair advantage on the PT test. A lot of people spoke up to shoot that down. Then they got them banned based on appearance alone. The new PT test they are designing is absolutely retarded. They have at several points stated what scientific studies showed, and then what they were going to do instead. For example, studies and numerous fitness experts told them that a 1.5 mile run tells you everything you need to know about their running capability. However, several unit commanders stated that they wanted the 2 mile run to remain so that they can gauge "the heart" of the soldier, which is just ****ing ridiculous. They want to know if a soldier can handle rucking in the mountains of Afghanistan. Sorry, running an extra half mile doesn't tell you that.
Ok, I'm going to stop my rant there because I could just go on and on about how stupid these people are.
You would think the army would look into this and determine if it is beneficial for soldiers instead of letting some old man who hasn't run in years, has a hard-on for routine determine what works best.
This is the same Army that let an officer who hadn't been in the infantry in years, probably over a decade, (and left the infantry because he was mediocre at best) manage their weapons. I heard this guy claim that the M4 was the best carbine in the entire world, and then in the same breath told us that the carbine competition would give us a better one (how can we get a better one if we already have the best?). He already told us that we shouldn't believe what we've heard about the 416 and the fact that Delta Force and the AWG loved it doesn't mean anything, and likewise the fact that SF likes the SCAR doesn't mean anything either.
He also claimed that the new shotgun that attaches to the M4 could hit everyone in the conference room with one shot (a single shell doesn't even contain enough shot to hit everyone that was in the room even if each pellet struck a different person, not to mention it was far too wide of an arc for a shotgun). Or how when troops needed a lighter machine gun they were given one (because SF and SEALs already had one they had been using for years) but that was just temporary because his office was having a new one developed that would cost a buttload of money and still weighed more than the "interim" one.
The Army's PT advisors aren't any better. They first tried to argue that the VFFs provided an unfair advantage on the PT test. A lot of people spoke up to shoot that down. Then they got them banned based on appearance alone. The new PT test they are designing is absolutely retarded. They have at several points stated what scientific studies showed, and then what they were going to do instead. For example, studies and numerous fitness experts told them that a 1.5 mile run tells you everything you need to know about their running capability. However, several unit commanders stated that they wanted the 2 mile run to remain so that they can gauge "the heart" of the soldier, which is just ****ing ridiculous. They want to know if a soldier can handle rucking in the mountains of Afghanistan. Sorry, running an extra half mile doesn't tell you that.
Ok, I'm going to stop my rant there because I could just go on and on about how stupid these people are.
Yeah, I remember reading an article about the army claiming VFFs gave an advantage to people. I hear the other branches of the military are a bit brighter. From what I've heard, none of the other ones have banned VFFs.
Yep, the Army is the only one. Kind of funny because the wording of the ban says it "detracts from a professional military appearance" yet there is only 1 branch of the military that has banned them.
They must have hired the officer that managed the weapons to write it. Sucks though. From what I've heard, a lot of guys out in Iraq and Afghanistan liked using them. And it wasn't as if they were going out on patrol wearing them.
Yep, the Army is the only one. Kind of funny because the wording of the ban says it "detracts from a professional military appearance" yet there is only 1 branch of the military that has banned them.
They must have hired the officer that managed the weapons to write it. Sucks though. From what I've heard, a lot of guys out in Iraq and Afghanistan liked using them. And it wasn't as if they were going out on patrol wearing them.
They ban full-on shoes that happen to not look like "regular" shoes because they "detract from a professional military appearance", but boxers and flip-flops are lauded.
On Bagram, they banned the vibrams even for civilian personnel, which really makes no sense. Of course, like the rule about no civilian clothing, it is one that I saw commonly broken.
"detracts from a professional military appearance"
Srsly? Have they, like, ever seen a Navy uniform?
As if the other branches aren't professional, and would know what a professional appearence is?