I have just returned from my first run in my Vibram Five Fingers, and they were nothing short of spectacular. After wearing them to work for a couple of days, and another day out to eat, I finally took them on their maiden voyage. After researching the consensus on how far to go on the first run, I decided I would run out one mile, and walk the mile back home. Half a mile in I was pretty sure I would run round trip. Two miles is not impressive, but I've been warned about the week long debilitating calf soreness of the first run.
It has been a year this month since I did the Portland Marathon. I'd never really enjoyed running, but found I could enjoy runs up to six miles. More than that and the planning realities of waking up early, going to bed early, planning hydration and the such discouraged me. Furthermore, there was something that never really seemed right about distance running. A year and a half ago I discovered ChiRunning, which made a lot of sense to me, biomechanically, and greatly improved my ability as well as my enjoyment. I went through at least three pair of running shoes, not wearing any of them out, but never feeling comfortable. I felt a sensory disconnect from my feet and the road. I tried buying some Nike Free 3.0's, but was unable to find them in my size. I settled on a close relative, and while an improvement, were still too much shoe.
Somewhere along the way I became interested in the mechanics of barefoot running, but never really considered it as an option, thinking it the domain of hippie running whack-jobs that smelled like B.O. and patchouli oil. I was nonetheless intrigued, and academically curious. Eventually I stumbled across the VFF's, and new I would buy some.
And buy some I did. They do not blend in. Most will stare or ask questions. Opinions are divided. Some say that feet need the support and cushion of running shoes, yet there is no evidence that this is true. In fact their is more evidence to the contrary, if people examine their unfounded truisms. The more cushioned the shoe, the harder the foot hits the ground. When I would run with my roommate, he would hit the ground harder than me, although I outweighed him by fifty pounds.
What happened next was just like I expected. I ran, and did not fight my shoes. I did not find my shoes fighting me. I have not run more than two miles since last year's marathon, and have not enjoyed any of those infrequent runs. But today, in the first day of my experiment on myself, I enjoyed running. I have been having the armchair runner debate about form and technique for some time, and am now turning myself into my own guinea pig.
Right now barefoot running is getting considerably more press. I have Born to Run by Christopher McDougall right in front of me. The websites below offer more information on barefoot running and Vibram Five Fingers.
1 comment:
Hey...I like the smell of B.O. and patchouli oil.
Anyway, I wonder if this Chi running was that way that cavemen ran???
Post a Comment