The seam in the shoe

I ran 45 minutes the other day on the treadmill! The ONLY complaint I had was where the seam runs on the inside of the Vibram down the bottom side of the big toe, gave me a hot spot. But like my COUSIN Dwayne said, "Just stick one of them round bandages there." So that I will do. :)

I really had no residual pain or swelling or anything the next morning. I really have to say that I can't see a downside--yet. Now, running on the roads may prove different. Can't wait to try.

Until then, when I do run outside, in shoes, I try to keep my form correct. My heart rate is dropping again--when I first started running with the correct form, it was such an EFFORT that my heart rate would rise. But I'm HAPPY to say that all is well.

And the BEST NEWS is that my calves aren't getting sore anymore. I feel like I have ARRIVED!

Happy running.

Another day!

I finally did the full--usual run--of four miles yesterday, on the treadmill. It felt good. I did get a HOT SPOT on by big toe--almost like it wanted to turn to blister. But still, I prefer the barefoot running. I really worked on my stride and keeping my foot fall under my hip. I even did a little video with my camera. My kids thought it was WEIRD that I'd do a video of my feet on a treadmill. What do they know!!


On Wednesday, I did try the VIBRAMS out on the road. It was 22 degrees or so and it was TOO COLD. I made it about half a mile and ran in the house to change into the my shoes. I did run in good form, however, throughout the run, and it still made my calves SORE.

I have a bit of SORENESS on my calves even today after running on Friday. I start to wonder if my calves will ever get strong and adapt.

Running in good form sure shoots my heart rate up. My body must be used to the OLD way of running because I could pretty much predict what would make it raise or lower. Now, my talking is at a minimum because I have to CONCENTRATE so much. Poor Shelly.

I have been doing all my workouts in the VIBRAMS. Still love it. Can't wait for spring to come. Until then, I'll probably have to keep wearing my shoes out on the road. If the temp is above freezing, I may give it another try.

Happy Running!

AMAZING!

I ran 3 miles today on the treadmill in my VIBRAMS! for the first time. I've had a nasty cold and cough and have been down almost a week, but I'm starting to get better.

ANYWAY, it was amazing. I know that may sound a bit dramatic, but until you've run in them, you don't UNDERSTAND!

I have been running stocking-foot or barefoot on the treadmill while waiting for the VIBRAMS. That was great. But the fivefingers are just BETTER, BETTER, BETTER. I don't know if it's because you feel protected or have more grip. But I ran 3 miles and felt great--even after coming back from being sick.

The real STRUGGLE came when I slipped on my Saucony's for one more mile outside. UGH! What a difference. So much more WORK.

I have a feeling my calves are going to scream at me, and I could feel some hotness in the balls of my feet. We'll see. Actually, I just stood up to answer the phone and I'm already feeling some stiffness all through the back of my legs. So tomorrow could be rough. KEEP in mind: I'm in good shape. I workout five days a week. This is really CHALLENGING my body.

I concentrated HARD on running in quick steps-180 per minute and keeping myself learning forward with my footfall under my hips, arms loose at the side and not crossing over my body.

Give them a try and we can comment and blog about it!

BARE FEET!!!!

I have NEVER really liked bare feet. I don't know why. My brother, Lyle and I created a Foot Haters Club--not that I don't like the function of feet, just the look.

I have always made my kids wear shoes. ALWAYS. I've always worn shoes. My husband's fam doesn't really wear shoes--their kids don't. I always thought it was a bit silly. My daughter in law doesn't like shoes. My OWN daughter doesn't like shoes.

I thought it a public courtesy to wear shoes.

WELL....I was hooked up to a book called "Born to Run," through my cousin, Dwayne, on Facebook. He told me he would NEVER think of running the same way again. So I decided to listen and read it.

I have been plagued with hip pain that radiates down into knee pain for years now. I've had to STRETCH and stretch to get loose enough to run without injury. And, hey, I'm 45, right!!!
I learned through this book some pretty interseting things. First and foremost, BAREFOOT RUNNING is the thing!

I don't want to go into any lengthy details--read the book if you're curious--but let's just say that an old foot hater is going BAREFOOT every chance she gets (still not in public). Yeah, I know. Eat HUMBLE PIE. But I'm doing it.

I ordered VIBRAM FIVEFINGERS to run in. I haven't yet ran in them, but I have hit the treadmill three times now barefoot.

It was an awesome experience. I couldn't believe how much lighter you feel and how much less effort it takes. I ran 10 minutes the first run, barefoot, and thought I'd better put my shoes back on. Which, by the way, felt heavy and took more effort to run in. It takes time to build that strength in your feet, especially when you've been a DIE HARD shoe wearer for all of your life.

Anyway, I'm up to 20 minutes on the treadmill barefoot. No problems yet. But to be helpful, perhaps, to someone else, let me tell you that my calves were SOOOOOOOOOOOO SORE for that first week. I cannot explain how sore. I've NEVER been that sore. But this week, not so much. I also felt some slight sorenss in my feet, but not much at all. It's amazing.

Now, I don't know what the road will offer in the VIBRAMS, but I'm excited to try. The road is still covered with snow, so until the snow MELTS, I will just have to keep running on the treadmill until I've built up to a five miler or so. We'll see how that goes.

Also, I'm doing all my weight work outs--lunges, squats etc...without shoes, and can't believe the difference in the strength and grip I have.

I have also changed my running form dramatically with or without shoes. When you run without shoes, your form is better of its own accord. But WITH shoes, you have to really earn it. It's been an ADVENTURE.

I think my running partner, Shelly, is going to read the book now. I haven't stoppped talking about it RUN AFTER RUN. So she's doing it to get some peace. She actually accuses me of laying up at night trying to think of ways to make her SUFFER--I'm always changing up our workouts.

My daughter tried it and loves it. My neice tried it and said it killed her calves as well. Any my little BAREFOOT DAUGHTER IN LAW is so excited to give it a try too. She's an advocate of barefoot sports--always has been.

If you try it, post here and let me know how it's been for you.

Let's HOPE for an injury-free year for JULIE. I hope to see some benefit. But it sure makes SENSE when you read the book!

I'll post in a week and well see how I'm doing. No soreness today, though, from yesterday's run.
Happy running!

SIDE NOTE: It's going to be difficult to find any VIBRAMS until March. I would like to try the KSOs. But there are another kind of VIBRAMS being made that my daughter in law ran across especially made for running. So those may be my next purchase.