Monday, December 28, 2009

New Beginnings And Vibram 5 Finger Shoes


So I started training again. Nothing too intense. Just a 30 min swim and a 30 min bike. At least I think it was 30 min. I didn't wear my heart rate monitor so I just sort of looked at my watch and went from there.

I find it interesting how much more you feel after a break in routine. Not bad stuff mind you, but how much more aware I am of what's going on in my body and how it is working. It's as if I've been asleep, or perhaps numbed, to the finer sensations of movement. And that's probably the most overlooked reasons for taking a break. Aside from recovery of energy levels and tissue restoration, taking time off allows you to get back to the point where you can actually feel what you are doing.

To that end I've decided to change the shoes I train in to something more "useful." Right before Ironman Arizona, I got a pair of Vibram 5 Finger shoes (if you can call them that). They look more like foot "gloves" to be honest. At any rate I've been wearing them non stop since I got home from Arizona. This seems to be a natural progression for me. I've been wearing and training in the Nike Free 3.0's for about 2 years now after wearing the Nike Free 5.0 for a couple of years before that. I haven't spent much time in anything else. But while walking in the Vibrams for hours a day was not an issue, running in them took some getting used to. Even as flexible and low profile as the Nike Free 3.0's are, the Vibrams are in another universe altogether when it comes to running shoes.

To get used to running in them for longer and longer periods of time, I've decided to spend some time in the gym playing basketball in them. This has given me the ability to learn how to wear them under some pretty varied conditions requiring both speed and coordination while allowing me to retrain my feet and body to run properly at multiple intensities. Plus it is just plain fun learning how to take off and land without breaking my feet. I figure after a month of this running for 20 to 30 minutes will be a snap. I'll keep you posted and write a decent review after I've had them for a bit. All I know is the Vibrams are going to be my training shoe of choice. I'll use the Nike Free 3.0's to race in.

7 comments:

Dave said...

The Vibrams are the best thing ever! I have three pair and have completed a couple 10+ mile runs in them on trails. A neighbor of mine wears them on the roads for all of her runs. Good luck with them, they'll definately change the way you run for the better!

-Brandon said...

I've got a pair of the sprints. I have been walking around in them, doing yard work, and each week I try to run 4-6 miles in them. Usually 2 miles at a time. They are pretty good. I am trying to get down to all my runs in flats. I was thinking about the Frees again though for some training runs.

Fred (aka ace) said...

Dave, thats the goal I'm shooting for this coming year is to get to where I can log at least one 10 miler per week in them on trails. And hearing about your neighbor is encouraging. I've got a friend who says her boyfriend races 5k's in them.

Brandon, thanks for your feedback as well. I ran in the Free 3.0 about 98% during 2009. During the first part of my run training I did my long runs in the Lunar Trainer but was having issues with runs over 2 hours in them. When I switched to the Free's exclusively those problems went away. I'm not sure why, but I think the Lunar shoes are like running on a balance ball.

Jason Robillard said...

Vibrams really are the best barefoot alternative. I love mine; I ran a 100 miler in them in September. Since going the barefoot/minimalist route, I haven't had a single running injury. I'd recommend Vibrams over Frees... even the 3.0s have a raised heel. Anyway, best of luck!

-Jason

Mark said...

Thanks for the great post! A couple of my training partners have picked these up and swear that they are the best thing since the invention of the wheel. I might just have to try them out. How do they wear? Typically, runners get anywhere from 300-500 miles, depending on their weight, foot strike, shoe model, etc. Does Vibrams recommend them for road running?

Keith said...

I've been thinking about getting a pair of these once spring arrives. You might be interested in this blog, she has lots of stuff about being barefoot or minimal footwear.
http://toegirltina.blogspot.com/

100 Mile Bike said...

They are the most amazing footware. I have never tried them and may well give them a go.