I began running last fall, after seeing two of my colleagues drop about 100 pounds (collectively) over the summer in preparation for a fall marathon. These guys were heavier than me, and about ten years older than me, and I figured, if they could do it, so could I!
Of course, I had never run in my life. I was 33 years old, slightly overweight, and the last regular exercise I got was when I was in Rotary Club soccer as an elementary school student. Being a musician and music teacher, I did get into some folk dancing, but these sessions were few and far between. So I fired up the computer, found the Couch to Five K (C25K) program, downloaded an app for the iPhone (Runkeeper), and hit the trails.
The hardest part at first was getting up early enough to get in a walk/run before work. Soon, however, I found that as I increased my running time, my shins started to hurt badly. More online research, and I discovered shin splints, and headed out to buy a pair of real "running" shoes. The shoes didn't help. Went to the doctor, and he gave me some stretches and strengthening exercises. Those didn't help a lot either, but I was able to keep going and finish the nine-week program, bringing myself up to running 3 miles straight.
At this point, despite the shin splints, I was hooked! I started reading all the running websites and books I could get my hands on. At some point in November, I read "Born to Run", and it totally made sense! I remembered back in JuniorHigh at the "Track & FieldDay", I was always told to run the sprints, because Iran up on my toes. When I had started running this fall, I intentionally made myself reach forward and heel-plant, because I assumed this was how it's done! After reading BTR, I went out and let my feet do what they wanted to do, and landed mid-to-fore foot very naturally. It was thrilling and exhilarating. Of course, I was in serious calf-pain the next day, but I knew I couldn't go back to heel-running.
Having dispelled one piece of conventional wisdom, Istarted thinking about the shoes. I certainly wasn't ready to go barefoot, but I wanted something without the big wedge heel. Being in Iowa, I couldn't find a Vibram FiveFinger dealer nearby, and didn't want to risk purchasing without trying them on. So I waited until November, when I was headed to a conference in Wisconsin, and stopped by a store in Madison that carried the shoes. I purchased a pair of blue camo KSOs. I loved them instantly, and wore them for the entire conference, despite strange stares and conversations from my colleagues.
Fast-forward to this summer, and I can honestly say that VFFs as a transition TObarefoot DOESwork for some. Sure, I had the "too much too soon" top of foot pain (TMTS, TOFP) like many who transition while already running. But I never really considered actually running barefoot until the weather improved. This spring, I would run a small percentage of my miles completely barefoot, but I lived in my VFFs (which had now extended to three pairs). It was only when summer hit, and I realized even the thin KSO was HOT, that Idecided to really get into barefoot living. So, now it's a pair of flip-flops if necessary, and barefoot otherwise. Of course, once the school year starts, I'll need to dress it up a bit, but I'm definitely enjoying the barefoot experience!
That's my experience so far. One final anecdote: my four year old son is loving to run with me. I've convinced my wife that we should only buy him the thinnest, canvas-style sneakers available, with no heel build-up. But she still insists that he put on the sneaks or sandals before he heads outside, and I haven't picked that battle yet. Instead, I'm just a subversive role model, as I trek alongside him barefoot to the park!
Of course, I had never run in my life. I was 33 years old, slightly overweight, and the last regular exercise I got was when I was in Rotary Club soccer as an elementary school student. Being a musician and music teacher, I did get into some folk dancing, but these sessions were few and far between. So I fired up the computer, found the Couch to Five K (C25K) program, downloaded an app for the iPhone (Runkeeper), and hit the trails.
The hardest part at first was getting up early enough to get in a walk/run before work. Soon, however, I found that as I increased my running time, my shins started to hurt badly. More online research, and I discovered shin splints, and headed out to buy a pair of real "running" shoes. The shoes didn't help. Went to the doctor, and he gave me some stretches and strengthening exercises. Those didn't help a lot either, but I was able to keep going and finish the nine-week program, bringing myself up to running 3 miles straight.
At this point, despite the shin splints, I was hooked! I started reading all the running websites and books I could get my hands on. At some point in November, I read "Born to Run", and it totally made sense! I remembered back in JuniorHigh at the "Track & FieldDay", I was always told to run the sprints, because Iran up on my toes. When I had started running this fall, I intentionally made myself reach forward and heel-plant, because I assumed this was how it's done! After reading BTR, I went out and let my feet do what they wanted to do, and landed mid-to-fore foot very naturally. It was thrilling and exhilarating. Of course, I was in serious calf-pain the next day, but I knew I couldn't go back to heel-running.
Having dispelled one piece of conventional wisdom, Istarted thinking about the shoes. I certainly wasn't ready to go barefoot, but I wanted something without the big wedge heel. Being in Iowa, I couldn't find a Vibram FiveFinger dealer nearby, and didn't want to risk purchasing without trying them on. So I waited until November, when I was headed to a conference in Wisconsin, and stopped by a store in Madison that carried the shoes. I purchased a pair of blue camo KSOs. I loved them instantly, and wore them for the entire conference, despite strange stares and conversations from my colleagues.
Fast-forward to this summer, and I can honestly say that VFFs as a transition TObarefoot DOESwork for some. Sure, I had the "too much too soon" top of foot pain (TMTS, TOFP) like many who transition while already running. But I never really considered actually running barefoot until the weather improved. This spring, I would run a small percentage of my miles completely barefoot, but I lived in my VFFs (which had now extended to three pairs). It was only when summer hit, and I realized even the thin KSO was HOT, that Idecided to really get into barefoot living. So, now it's a pair of flip-flops if necessary, and barefoot otherwise. Of course, once the school year starts, I'll need to dress it up a bit, but I'm definitely enjoying the barefoot experience!
That's my experience so far. One final anecdote: my four year old son is loving to run with me. I've convinced my wife that we should only buy him the thinnest, canvas-style sneakers available, with no heel build-up. But she still insists that he put on the sneaks or sandals before he heads outside, and I haven't picked that battle yet. Instead, I'm just a subversive role model, as I trek alongside him barefoot to the park!
