Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Five Fingers On My Feet!

They're not in the house yet. They came up in another post and yesterday was the first chance I've had to pop over to the North Shore and try some on. The folks at the Rock/Creek store were kind enough to let me give them a whirl, though unfortunately they didn't have many in stock, so I while I was able to take a picture, but had to leave without any vibram fivefingers of my own (I did get Emmie some new chacos, though!).

I was a little apprehensive about putting these shoes on. I didn't want to be disappointed and the only other thing I've ever worn that separated my toes were those socks from the 70s -- and I definitely was not a fan of those! Putting the fivefingers on freaked me out a bit because the process made my feet feel a bit catastrophic, but once I had them on, it was a huge relief! I have never worn such comfortable shoes! I took a jog around the store and am pretty sure these will make really good running shoes. They allowed me to fall into the natural gait that I use when I'm barefooting on the treadmill.

I liked the Classics better than the Sprints, which is what I tried on (they are so snug that the strap feels unnecessary), and they didn't have any Classics in my size in stock. Plus, these things cost $75.00, which for me is a lot to spend on a pair of shoes! And having running shoes is not really going to be an issue until I want to run outside. Given the recent weather here in Tennessee, that is not likely to be for a while, so there's no big hurry... maybe this can even wait for xmas...

But in the meantime, here're my feet -- perhaps properly swaddled for the first time in my life. The guy in the store probably thought I was insane for taking a photo of my feet, but as Emmie pointed out, most people probably think I'm insane anyway... And if by some freakish coincidence you have a size 37 women's classic fivefingers pair of shoes you don't want, I'd be glad to take them off your hands -- or feet, as it were (if they're the black ones, even better!)!

Oh, my naked feet

I've brought this up before, but the evidence continues to trickle in. Those space age sneakers are not, perforce, a good thing.

Recent research suggests that for all their high-tech features, modern running shoes may not actually do much to improve a runner’s performance or prevent injuries. Some runners are convinced that they are better off with shoes that are little more than thin gloves for the feet — or with no shoes at all.

And statistics do not necessarily favor the shoe.

But for all the technological advances promoted by the industry — the roll bars, the computer chips and the memory foam — experts say the injury rate among runners is virtually unchanged since the 1970s, when the modern running shoe was introduced. Some ailments, like those involving the knee and Achilles’ tendon, have increased.

I've been running barefoot on a treadmill for years, but for outdoors, I've been considering the fivefingers since they came out (at the time I was a member of an online barefoot runner's group and the cool new shoes caused quite the buzz*). What's been stopping me so far is the fact that anything on my feet makes. them. so. HOT. Plus, I've pretty much been ok with just sticking to the treadmill.

But this summer, I really wanted to do a bit of running while I was on vacation and had to run outside. The ground was either too hot or the terrain too rocky to go barefoot. I tried wearing running shoes and it was awful (like trying to run on a mattress and my feet were suffocating the whole time). I couldn't wait to tear those shoes off! I also tried running in sandals and that was just sort of clunky. Next year, I'll be prepared with something better.

---
*the buzz was both positive and negative. There were barefoot runners who were tired of cuts and bruises on their feet who excitedly embraced the idea, but also some purists who did not approve at all -- "but, that's not being barefoot!" For all I know, the debate is still raging (I left the group after a controversy erupted over one member's proselytizing).

(this is a repeat photo)

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Eschewing the Shoe

Heh! Is barefooting going mainstream?

Living Tarahumarically

Those of you who have met me in person might have noticed that I don't really like shoes. And I really, really hate socks (with the burning hot passion of a thousand suns), so if I'm wearing anything on my feet at all, it's probably something that consists of nothing more than a footbed with some straps attached -- I'm a minimalist when it comes to footwear.

I'm also currently in the process of learning to run. My daily workouts on the treadmill have, until recently, involved walking up a hill, but no running. Previous attempts to run regularly have always resulted in some discouraging excuse to stop -- pseudo ailments like shin splints or sore knees. But this winter, I took another stab at running, only this time, I didn't bother with the dreaded shoes -- I'm running inside and on my own treadmill, so who's gonna make me wear them?

Well, lo and behold, it turns out that running shod can be a bad thing, because shoes can force a person to land on the heel, sending the force of every landing up the leg, where the bones and joints have to absorb the impact. Ouch. Running barefoot, however, allows for a ball-heel-ball landing that's much easier on the body. At least that's what I've been reading lately, since I've discovered that I can run just fine as long as I skip the shoes. So far, a couple of months into running up to 3 or 4 times a week, I haven't found an excuse to stop. The legs and knees are feeling fine (if a bit stiff or sore at times).

Then I ran across this article from Men's Health Magazine, "The Men Who Live Forever," and discovered that I might be onto something with this barefoot running thing, and am part of a movement, even:

Orton is part of a growing movement of Free Your Feet rebels, who believe it's not running that causes injuries, but running form and economy of training. One of the more vocal -- and surprising -- members of this group is Gerard Hartmann, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist who works with the world's greatest marathoners and also consults for Nike. According to Hartmann, the vast majority of running-related foot injuries are a result of too much foam-injected pampering. Running shoes have become so supercushioned and motion-controlling, they allow our foot muscles to atrophy and our tendons to shorten and stiffen. Without strength and flexibility, injuries are inevitable.

The article speaks to those with higher aspirations than mine -- I doubt I'll be running a marathon any time soon -- but it offers some good tips on technique. Even if you're not ready to throw away your shoes, it's an interesting read, with some thoughts on diet as well as workouts. And you might find yourself tempted to try a breakfast salad...