Quasi Barefooter Becomes Shoe-Wearer

I really like the Vibram Five-Fingers "barefoot" idea, I really do.  I really have enjoyed many walks and runs with my barefoot-like footwear (i.e. Vibram Five-Fingers Bikila and Treksport models).   However, I've come to the place where I must put my barefoot sensibilities on the shelf - or in my case, in the closet.  After all, it isn't like it it's the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I can edit, change, or dispense with my barefoot ideology all I want.  This is a blessing.

As it turns out, my non-professionally-diagnosed tendon and/or ligament injury I have sustained to my foot becomes much less painful when I wear boots and conventional running shoes with my Superfeet insoles.  This makes me a happier man right now.  Many times I can't feel any discomfort or problem whatsoever.  These are relatively heaven-like experiences: "Yes!  Look at me walking - normally!"

Why the stark difference between going barefoot and wearing footwear with Superfeet insoles?  The shoes and insoles are doing much of the work my foot (especially the arch of the foot) would have to do otherwise.  I can't walk in Vibram Five-Fingers without pain, and I can't walk barefoot without pain. I can't even use my Nike "Free" shoes without pain.  I have to dispense with the ideological barefooted naturalness and wear shoes with arch-supporting insoles - even in the house.  This would have been UNTHINKABLE before.  I hated wearing shoes in the house...but now I do it so I can function normally.

Foot injuries take a while to heal.  It may even be months before I run in the "barefoot" style again.  I'm not going to force running upon myself yet even with the conventional running shoes and Superfeet insoles.  I'll let it heal.  When I can wake up and step out of the bed barefoot without any discernible difference between the left foot and the right, only THEN will I ditch the shoe-wearing in the house.  What a relief that will be!  That will also be the time that I start wearing the Vibram Five-Fingers again for WALKING.  I'll build up strength gradually and work to the point I can briskly walk our dog Duke for 30 or more minutes in them.  As for running, I may never try and phase in quasi-barefoot running again.  At this point I don't think I want to take the chance.  I'm 36 years old and want to be able to run - safely and without injuries.  I want to run fast, and I want to run long.  I don't want any injuries.  I guess maybe I can't be quite the crunchy bare-footer I wanted to be.  Darn.