Fad or For Real?
Oh yes I did!
Either I’ve fallen prey to the newest running fad or I’m dipping my toes in the barefoot running revolution. It remains to be seen which of those is the correct response to my recent purchase of a pair of Vibram Five Fingers KSO. (Then again, maybe it’s all about the fashion statement… Those things look hot!)
After reading Born To Run and seeing Chris MacDougall speak, doing a little research on barefoot running and talking to some friends who are trying barefoot running themselves, I decided to try a little barefoot running myself. For the last few weeks I’ve done added some barefoot strides and easy cool-down laps at the end of my Thursday track workout. True barefoot runners run without shoes on all surfaces, but I’m not anywhere close to trying that. So, I bought myself a pair of the VFFs. If you’re curious, there’s a ton of information online about the VFF’s and barefoot running – start here (VFF), here (Barefoot Ted), here (Barefoot Chronicles), here (Running Barefoot), here (Runner’s World) and here (NY Times blog, subscription required, I think). Some of the websites “dedicated” to barefoot running can get a little preachy, but if you can get past that, there is a lot of interesting information theories about going sans shoes.
So far, I’ve only walked in the VFFs – just 30-45 minutes or so a day, mostly in the morning for Charlie’s early walk. At some point, I’ll do some running in the VFF’s, but I know there’s a risk of injury if I try running in them too soon or too much and I definitely want to avoid that, so I’ll get comfortable walking in them first.
As I wear and use the VFFs and do some barefoot running, I’ll obviously add my reaction, review, input and pictures into the online mix. And as always, I’ll keep you posted!
Indoor ride – October 16
Time: 30 minutes
Average heart rate: 116
Run – October 17
Distance: 10.2 miles
Time: 1:17:30
Average heart rate: 143
Course: West Hollywood, Beverly Hills
Conditions: Evening run, clear, low 70s
Strength/core – October 18
Strength/core – October 19
Brick – October 20
Total Time: 2:25
Bike:
Distance: 14.3 miles
Time: 46:45
Average heart rate: Not working
Course:
Transition Time: 8:15
Run:
Distance: 11 miles
Time: 1:30
Average heart rate: Not working
Course: Griffith Park
Conditions: A little cool and overcast during bike, warmed up and got sunny for run
Run – October 21
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 47 minutes
Average heart rate: 141
Course: West Hollywood, Beverly Hills
Conditions: Evening run, clear, low 70s
Poser.
Heh heh. Actually I just bought Born To Run so i’m sure I will be posing with you shortly.
J.
Pretty weird looking “shoes”–can’t wait to see them in person
I think that VFF’s could possibly be a fad, or maybe not. But I’m sure running in feet is for real. Humans have been doing it for countless generations. The true fad is the modern running shoe.
Have fun with your Vibrams!
I think what Zataod said sums it up best!
With that said, I love how you’re breaking into your Five-Fingers slowly. Many of my runners have gotten a bit too excited in their new Vibrams and run themselves into the ground over the first few runs.
Walking’s a great way to get into it, without doing too much. You can also incorporate some light barefoot jogging on a smooth bikepath surface to ‘feel’ the ground. Remember when you begin running to land on your forefoot, not your heel, whether in the vibrams or barefoot.
Keep building slowly, and have fun with the vibrams, I think you’ll have a blast!
~Michael
Head Coach, The Barefoot Running School
http://www.RunBare.com
I think this shoes are little weird but it is more comfortable to wear in daily use in the house. Its looks is little bit strange then also I have purchased it and I feel very fine in it.
running tights