After reading RW’s article on the mechanics of barefoot running, curiosity got the best of me. That AND months of selling these things to every Tom, Dick, and Harry.
Yeah, I was intrigued. I called up The Store and asked if they might have a pair in my size — because they’ve been selling so fast, we can’t seem to keep them in stock. Well…
They did have them in stock. And they had a pair in MY size too.
So…I slipped the fivefingers (VFF) over my ten toes.
The word “slipped” is used loosely here. It’s not as easy as you would think.
Well, after a few anecdotes from customers in the store, I expected to feel like stopping after a running a distance as short as a quarter mile. But after running up and down the block ad nauseum, and not feeling any worse for wear, I decided to drive to the local track and do a mile.
It was amazing. My feet were light… and what was supposed to be an easy test run turned out to be a mile run at 7:45/mile pace. I made myself stop and change into my normal running shoes. I ran an additional 0.2 miles, then stopped because if felt so unnatural to have my heal all built up like that. Really. After only ONE MILE in the fivefingers!
I abandoned the effort and happily went to the gym for my planned strength workout.
Interesting I ran into a guy strapping those on at our local track last night also. I thought it might be cool especially on the track. The question is whether I could get 900 miles on the road out of them, what is the recommended asphalt mileage?
Jealous! Running in VFFs will make you a better runner in your shoes, fo sho….
interesting….of course you live in california…its warm there.