i guess we know the score.

Barefoot Running Injuries: Doctors See Health Problems Ranging From Stress Fractures To Pulled Calf Muscles

I'm going to blame part of this article on the sensationalist reporting that has become the HuffPost, but the other half of the blame... not sure who gets credit for that.

In case you haven't noticed, I am seriously devoted to the barefoot running movement. I can't run barefoot to save my life, my foot bed is a little too tender to handle the debris that covers the ground outdoors. But 3mm of Vibram's finest rubber is more than enough to protect me from any exterior dangers. That being said, I need to clarify some things about my Five Fingers experience:

Firstly, you need to know that I have had a life of documented foot ailments. In February, my neurologist diagnosed me with hereditary neuropathy which explains my inability to distinguish temperatures on the surface of my feet. This problem I've known about my whole life, but my doc was also keen to inform me that this condition presents with unusually high arches which have plagued me as long as I can remember.

In addition to this, it's important to add that I am generally uncomfortable wearing footwear, including socks. As a baby, my parents had an extremely difficult time getting me to keep my socks and shoes on because I was always pulling them off. This problem followed me through my child years and still presents in my adulthood. Conveniently, my neuropathy enables me to wear slip-on shoes (flip flops and ballet flats mostly) year-round because I have no temperature sensation in my feet even in frigid temperatures (true story: I love walking barefoot in snow).

If I don't have to wear shoes, then I'm 100% not wearing shoes. This applies to ANY situation: at work, at school, in the car... ANYWHERE. My boss has given up yelling at me to wear shoes in the office because he knows the minute he turns his back, I'll be kicking my shoes off in a corner somewhere. I hate shoes. My sock collection is pitifully small (maybe 5 pairs?) and they're old as shit and in immaculate condition because I never wear them. NE-VER. The amount of time shoes actually spend on my feet in total is probably around 2-3 hours a day on the days that I work, and maybe 30 minutes on the days that I don't work. I wish I was exaggerating.

When I first started exercising in October, I knew that I was going to have to spend big bucks on a pair of really good shoes. Shoe fit is especially important for me when taking into account all the problems I already have. I went through countless pairs, each worse than the ones before it. After weeks of excruciating pain in my right lower leg, I walked into the local shoe store determined to find a pair that worked at any cost. My foot problems disappeared when I purchased a pair of ADIpure barefoot trainers by Adidas. I am still very much a fun of the ADIpure line, but they were intended for indoor gym use only which limits their function in my daily routine.

I did months of research before I bought my first pair of Vibram Five Fingers in February. I was worried about having to make the transition to the barefoot style of footwear, but I trudged on. A few days in, I realized that VFFs were designed with me in mind. My "transition" to barefoot was non-existent because I've spent my life primarily barefooted. Unshod. Natural. As it should be.

The article cites doctors who claim they see 3-4 barefoot running-related injuries per week and skims over the very important fact that these runners are experiencing the "too much too soon" phenomenon. The very first paragraph of this article tells the story of a runner who went from traditional trainers to running SIX MILES in foot gloves in three weeks. THREE WEEKS. That's insane. I can't even break in a pair of Five Fingers in three weeks, much less dream of going from being shod to being barefoot. It's just unimaginable.

The next thing I'm about to say is a bit contradictory, so forgive me (but I swear I have a point). Dear runner, OF COURSE YOU GOT A STRESS FRACTURE YOU IDIOT. You did this to yourself, the shoes get zero blame. And this is where the author's fault comes into play: why not put more emphasis on the fact that the runner, however unintentionally, caused his own injuries instead of jumping to the conclusion that barefoot style shoes cause more injuries? Shoes don't cause injuries, dumb people who don't follow instructions cause injuries. It's simple logic.

I get a little testy when people attack the barefoot movement, especially when those people have never tried them. I'll agree, they're not for everyone. My boyfriend is uncomfortable being barefoot and I know beyond a doubt that VFF has little to nothing to offer him, but other people could definitely benefit from a different style of running.

The last time I tried running for weight loss, I wore trainers and I developed tendonitis and later dislocated my knee. It sidelined me for months years and by the time I recovered I was in no shape to resume my previous activity level. I've been at this fitness thing since October (7.5 months) and the only injury I've encountered was some soreness due to a muscle imbalance from relying too heavily on gym equipment.

To repeat: Five Fingers (and other such brands) are not for everyone, but I am seriously miffed by the sensationalist claims that these shoes are the direct cause of running injuries. Often times, it's over-training and poor judgment that lead runners to hurt themselves.

[WARNING: Completely unadulterated opinion: Heel striking is the devil.]

PS - banana and vanilla yogurt for breakfast, 8oz of coffee with cream and sugar, Greek salad for lunch. Snackin' on sunshine. I can't believe I get paid to do this at work.