My first race in my Vibram 5 fingers

[Mark]

As some of you may know, I have been running exclusively in Vibram 5 fingers. Here is a picture of them:

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs213.snc3/22040_266975349609_766184609_4460861_2529246_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3300319&id=766184609)


After and injury during a half marathon in November, I decided to change my running form from a heavy heal striker to a mid-fore foot runner. I tried just changing the way I ran in my normal shoes but when I would become fatigued, I would just go back to what felt most comfortable, which was heal striking.

After taking a month off after the half, I bought a pair of Vibram 5 fingers online and told myself I was going to run exclusively in them. I started out by just wearing them around the house and running a half mile at a time. I still felt alright so I decided to do 2 miles one day. After barely being able to walk around for 3 days, I decided that was too much too soon.

So I just kept running short distances just about every day until I worked back up to 5 miles in one run. I did that 5 miler earlier this week and felt fine for the 5k today.

My garmin showed a distance of 3.11 miles in 21:03. Not a PR but second fastest I have done in the year of consistent running I have been doing. I placed 5th overall and 2nd in my age group. My fastest pace is 6:39 and today I did a 6:46. I was excited considering I have been putting in far less than 10 miles a week for the last 10 weeks or so. When I did the PR, I was running between 20 and 30 miles per week.

My calves are pretty sore already but I am hoping it won't last too long. Overall I am very happy with my crossover towards a more minimalist running approach.

Hopefully I will be ready for the Gusher Marathon on May 1st. :D

[Jusselin]

this post is not a waste of time to read lol, actually cool info mark, what do those shoes do? do they make you use different muscles to run with? Target different muscles?

[Mark]

yes they force you to run like you would if you were barefoot. There is no cushion or support in the shoes so to run, you need to strike on the middle of your feet or balls of your feet. This concept is "supposed" to reduced your injuries, give you better form, and allow you to become more efficient. There is a lot of info out there for anyone interested. Just google barefoot running and you will find an abundance of information. I would also recommend reading the book Born to Run.

[Wytchdctr]

I have looked into those, but still not sure. I have a pretty torn up right knee and something is still wrong with my left ankle/calve since Iraq. I am having trouble getting my run times down because if I run to much, I pay for it. At most I can run every other day 2-3 miles, and that is going slow.

I have a heal strike problem as well, you can see it in the way my shoes wear. It doesn't hurt if I force the correction, I just seem to forget during the run and go back to the way I normally run. Maybe those would help me make my normal running better so I dont have to force it.. hmmm

[PocaFocus]

How much were they?

[shftyazn]

Hahaha! After reading this, you make me feel like I'm a bad runner Mark! Lol! Right now, I feel as if heel running is a more efficient form for me as my runs are smoother and I put up better times! But I think that when I was in shape, I would always be on the ball to the mid-section of my feet when running because I had more power behind my strides! Haha! So whenever I get back into shape, I'll let you know how my running for has evolved!

[Mark]

hehe. What I would recommend is to alternate running between these and normal running shoes to slowly get used to them. The only reason I am running in these only is because when I would run in normal shoes I would feel that tendinitis pain that kept me from running. It does not bother me in these.

I paid $85 I think for these. They are the KSO's (Keep stuff out). They have several different models.

[PocaFocus]

I feel as if heel running is a more efficient form for me as my runs are smoother and I put up better times!

:eek::eek::eek: if you are running on your heel there is no "cushion" for you ankles, crunch crunch.