Running

I went for my second run in my Vibram Five Fingers yesterday. I ran on the base perimeter roads again, which are gravel and dirt. I ran at a pretty good pace for 30 minutes. I did hit a couple of rocks that hurt, but overall it was a good experience again.

I feel SO good to be running again! My feet are very tired and wore out though due to using muscles I have not used in a long time. I know they will get stronger the more I go barefoot, and run in the Five Fingers.

I plan on doing my first 5K sometime in September or October. I hope to be doing it with my wife and 3 kids, we will see if they will be ready by then.

On a side note, I am vegetarian and I eat 6 small meals a day. Actually my wife and I are going to start a Body for Life Challenge on Monday 03 August 2009. I love the program, I eat 6 times a day with a meal being a portion of protein, a portion of carbs, and a portion of veggies (I do not really portion my veggies).

I usually eat a veggie burger, a baked potato, and a green salad. I also eat tofu, egg whites, beans, and Tempe for protein.

I will post more about my diet during this process soon.

My Minimalist Running Forum: http://forum.minimalistrunner.com

Information from the book Born to Run

I just learned that we as runners do not reach our peak until the age of 27, then we slowly over time get slower, but do not get to the speed we were when we were 19 until the age of 64! Now that is INCREDIBLE!

I have also learned from the book that our brain is our efficiency controls, in that our brain tries to find ways to keep a little back for emergency purposes and it also tells you that you should relax. Well that was all fine and good back in the days when we as a race were working all the time, stalking, chasing, and otherwise using our bodies. Back then when you had a chance to relax you took it because you may not get a chance to take another break for a long time.

Well what our brain does now is the same thing, it tells us to relax but in todays world where we do not use our bodies all the time and do not really need that "little extra" stored up, we still do the relax part which is why we have so many couch potatoes in the world.

The point is, get out and use your bodies, eat right and be healthy!

My first run in Five Fingers

Yesterday I went for my first run in my Vibram Five Fingers. I went for about 30 minutes on a gravel and dirt perimeter road on the Navy base where I live. The shoes were great they protected me from the sharp rocks very well. I hit a couple of rocks that hurt, but all in all it was a very enjoyable run.

I wore them around the house the day they came in for a couple of hours like they tell you, you should do. They are comfortable and really hug your feet.

I did notice during the run that it really makes you use your calves more, and the balls of my feet were sore and tired near the end. I guess that is because my feet are used to being in foot coffins (shoes) and need to build themselves up. I know that as I am running and increasing my distance that my feet will get stronger and stronger.

Here is a picture of the KSOs in black like I have:

Vibram Five Fingers

Here is a picture of the new Vibram Five Fingers Trek coming out sometime this fall. I cannot wait to get a pair of these!

Here is some information about the Treks from Vibram:

The Men’s KSO Trek is a more rugged version of our popular KSO. The Kangaroo leather upper and sock liner are soft against the foot, yet strong and tear resistant, with outstanding breathability.

A 4mm EVA midsole offers plating protection from stone bruising, and a lightly cleated 4mm Vibram performance rubber outsole delivers improved traction on trails and over more rugged terrain.KSO Trek is best for: Light Trekking, Trail Running, Fitness Walking, & Travel.

Here is some information from the Vibram website about the shoes:

The typical human foot is an anatomical marvel of evolution with 26 bones, 33 muscles and hundreds of sensory receptors, tendons and ligaments. Like the rest of the body, to keep our feet healthy, they need to be stimulated and exercised.

That’s why we recommend wearing FiveFingers for exercise, play, and for fun. Stimulating the muscles in your feet and lower legs will not only make you stronger and healthier, it improves your balance, agility and proprioception.

When we first introduced Vibram FiveFingers® to the world, it was the beginning of a revolution.For the first time, active outdoor athletes and fitness professionals were able to experience the sensation and freedom of going barefoot with the protection and sure-footed grip of a Vibram sole.

Their response exceeded our wildest expectations.Some customers told us they felt more connected to the earth and more in tune with their bodies. Others discovered an increased sense of balance and greater agility. And many reported health benefits like improved posture and less back pain. All were generous with their praise and their ideas, often suggesting new and creative uses for FiveFingers.

With the new 2009 Vibram FiveFingers collection, our patented barefooting concept continues to evolve.

Now you can choose from a variety of designs to cover the wide range of activities you would rather do barefoot; everything from fitness training and yoga, to running and trekking, to kayaking and sailing.

Clearly, the barefooting revolution is alive and well.

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

This is the best book I have ever read! It is very inspirational and motivating. There is so much good information in it about running, form, diet, etc...

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone that wants to get into running and have it feel good! I cannot put this book down when I pick it up. It is very well written, and so enjoyable to read.

Follow the link on the right of the page to pick one up from Amazon, and start on your journey to a better, healthier you! Learn the secrets of the Tarahumara tribe of Mexico, some of the greatest runners of all time!

He wrote the book based on one question he had: Why does my foot hurt?
He talks about how our feet are designed to be used and to run, and how modern shoes and all the fancy technologies we have have caused our injuries.

He makes a very strong case for barefoot running in this book. So I am setting out to see how it will work for me.

My Minimalist Running Forum: http://forum.minimalistrunner.com

Update

My Vibram Five Finger KSOs should be here today. I am really looking forward to going for a run in them.

I have been walking on a gravel road every day at least once a day for about a 1/2 mile to a mile trying to get my feet ready for barefoot running. I have been walking barefoot as much as I can.

Just to give some back ground on me. I am 36 years old, I am in the US Navy, I retire in 2 years (WOOHOO!) I ran Cross Country and Track in High School.
My best mile was a 4.16 in my Junior year (Senior year had a torn hamstring). I also ran many 13.XX Cross Country races (3 miles).

I have not been running that much if any for the last 6 years. I am overweight (192.4 lbs at 5/ 9"), and out of shape. I have planterfaciates (sp?) in my left foot.

I really want to get into long distance running. I know it is possible to get back in better shape than I was in my prime, and that is my goal.

My Minimalist Running Forum: http://forum.minimalistrunner.com

Starting to prepare myself

So far I have been walking about 1/2 to 1 mile every day in my bare feet on gravel, and went for a 40 minute jog yesterday in my Tevas to work on my foot placement. I am trying to train myself to have my feet land totally flat, or just slightly on the ball.

I ordered a pair of Vibram Five Fingers KSOs in black (I wanted brown, but they did not have them in my size, so I had to settle for black) 2 days ago, they should be here anytime. I am really looking forward to running in these. They have a thin Vibram outter sole to offer some protection from things on the ground, but still like being bare foot.

Here are some of my favorite products from Amazon. The Vibram Five Fingers shoes and the Wonder food Chia seed! I recommend the Chia seeds for those of you that want a complete protein that is packed full of nutrients and give you a big boost in energy!

Why Barefoot running?

Well I have come to learn that to avoid injury and to improve my running times I can do so by going barefoot, or close to it.

So now I am starting my training to become a barefoot runner. I plan on entering in local races and eventually getting into Ultra Marathons.

I have a lot of running background running track and cross country in high school. I was a pretty good runner back then.

Now I am a 36 year old 30 lb overweight guy that wants to get back to his glory days of running.

Here is one of my favorite sites, with tons of information about barefoot running, it is Barefoot Ted's blog: http://barefootted.com/

My Minimalist Running Forum: http://forum.minimalistrunner.com