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.
![DSC01961](https://keeping-pace.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC019612.jpg)
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.