Barefoot, fore foot, Vibram clad runners...how long to transition?

[ceyko]

PS: I agree with what you like about running! I like to get lost in what's playing in my iPod and move with the music or if something is weighing on me, then I go sans music and work it out in my head over and over till I feel right about things and forget I'm running. The wind in my ears makes the voices quieter! LOL!

...the farther you run, the longer it takes for them to catch up with you. The only reason I'd be motivated to do a half marathon.

Glad those shoes? (don't want to insult anyone by calling them shoes if they are some other name ) are working out for you though. I'll send ya PMs as we sign up for stuff if you want to come out for something - or let me know if you sign up for something, we may join ya.

[Jonny00GT]

Yeah, that sounds perfect. I seem to do better with my fitness goals when there is some sort of a deadline or end purpose.

Side note, you going to the gun show today? We're heading out in a bit. Call me or text if you'll be there and we'll meet up.

-Jonny

[AnthonyS]

The Vibram 5 fingers are the "shoes" I'm referring to and yes, I was running outside today, but in the past my experience was the same on the treadmill as it was running outside. Honestly, I think the Vibrams are just a tool and it's more likely the improvement in my running form is where the benefit is coming from. I would probably feel the same way if I was running barefoot or in 4mm thin soul running flats. (There is a company that uses a vibram sole with conventional running shoe top that I saw at Lukes Locker Thursday. I dig the toes in my 5 fingers though.)

When you're not landing on your heal, you don't stretch out your legs, flex your feet up or land with our foot out in front of you. All your landings are cushioned by your feet, arch, calf on up. I'm also concentrating on not leaning forward and "chasing my head", so my running posture may be contributing to the lower back not locking up on me. I find I'm twisting my body more running fore foot so everything is working together. Because I focus more on my steps, I feel the ground better so I'm more stable. I get why people run barefoot...it's just fun! I have to run/jog and NOT break into a sprint at some point!

As far as the Vibrams, they fit well with no socks, but I picked up some Injini medium thickness micro lengths and ran in those this morning. They make the already great fitting "foot-gloves" hug my feet a little better. It's sort of like when you dig your feet into warm wet sand and it goes between your toes, only it's soft cotton on every surface of your foot...no toe on toe rubbing. Bonus is...no more stinky shoe that has to be washed all the time. I want to try the thicker ones with the Bikilas, but the mediums or the liners are great with my Komodos I wear around and working out in the gym.

Anyway...that's been my experience so far. I'm going to take tomorrow off and run M W F next week if I can stand not to run tomorrow. Honestly, this is the first time I'm more looking forward to the next run, than the rest between runs!

-Jonny

PS: I agree with what you like about running! I like to get lost in what's playing in my iPod and move with the music or if something is weighing on me, then I go sans music and work it out in my head over and over till I feel right about things and forget I'm running. The wind in my ears makes the voices quieter! LOL!

I agree about vibrams being a tool to help you fix your form. I came to this conclusion after reading and watching tons of videos for about 6 months. My experiences are very similar to yours.

I'm using Merrills now which are the shoes with the vibram sole but look like a shoe. I can put them on and take them off much faster. They also have a bit thicker sole.

I have a pair of Addidas Addi zeros too. I'll probably start using them on pavement and concrete more since they offer a bit more padding.

Whenever you want to try and 5K or 10K, let me know. I'll sign up and do the same one with you. I'll be happy to cheer you on whether you are faster or slower or we are the same speed.

I've done several 5s now, working to 10s by June and then halves by next April. Once you get to where you can run 3 miles anytime you like it seems the rest is downhill from there. For me the 2nd mile is always the worst.

[Jonny00GT]

I agree about vibrams being a tool to help you fix your form. I came to this conclusion after reading and watching tons of videos for about 6 months. My experiences are very similar to yours.

I'm using Merrills now which are the shoes with the vibram sole but look like a shoe. I can put them on and take them off much faster. They also have a bit thicker sole.

I have a pair of Addidas Addi zeros too. I'll probably start using them on pavement and concrete more since they offer a bit more padding.

Whenever you want to try and 5K or 10K, let me know. I'll sign up and do the same one with you. I'll be happy to cheer you on whether you are faster or slower or we are the same speed.

I've done several 5s now, working to 10s by June and then halves by next April. Once you get to where you can run 3 miles anytime you like it seems the rest is downhill from there. For me the 2nd mile is always the worst.

Cool! Between me, Chris, his wife and you, maybe we could get a DFWMustangs group going!

-Jonny

[ceyko]

I'll be happy to cheer you on whether you are faster or slower or we are the same speed.

Hey! If you got enough air to cheer, you're not running hard enough.

...I agree that after getting the 5K down it's...less sucky after that. I'm working towards the 10K now, but only to be faster in the 5K runs. I can only get out to run 3-4 times a week and like to rotate...

-A day for intervals (for 2-3 miles or integrated into the 5K)
-A day for a standard 5K run
-A day for a 10K run

If I can do 4 days I'd like to slip in 2 10Ks. I slipped this weekend and smoked a few cigarettes - that's really counterproductive.

[Jonny00GT]

I discovered something yesterday. I had started landing fore foot, but I didn't actually change my running form. I was still kinda hunched and chasing my head. I ran 2 miles on the treadmill at lunch.

The first mile I ran like I always have except I landed fore foot. At the end, I noticed I bobbed up and down pretty high, stretched my legs out in front of me, so I had to point my toes more to land fore foot and I was basically fighting myself. My calves, ancle muscles and shin muscles got very tight.

I stretched out and walked for a quarter mile and then ran the second mile sitting down in my stride, back straight, leading with my knees instead of kicking my feet out in front of me and twisted at the waist. I felt smoother, my landings were quieter, my legs loostened up and, in spite of a faster pace, I felt more relaxed and didn't want to stop!

I don't run again till Saturday, but I deffinately want to burn this groove into my brain! It felt good, easy, natural. ...if that makes sense.

I had also forgotten my iPod, so I wonder if having nothing to distract me or focus on other than my form helped.

-Jonny

[AnthonyS]

Hey! If you got enough air to cheer, you're not running hard enough.

...I agree that after getting the 5K down it's...less sucky after that. I'm working towards the 10K now, but only to be faster in the 5K runs. I can only get out to run 3-4 times a week and like to rotate...

-A day for intervals (for 2-3 miles or integrated into the 5K)
-A day for a standard 5K run
-A day for a 10K run

If I can do 4 days I'd like to slip in 2 10Ks. I slipped this weekend and smoked a few cigarettes - that's really counterproductive.

You are right. I do not run all out. If you do run all out, you won't have anything left to finish a 10k or Half. You have to learn to run different speeds anyway. I can run any pace from 10 min miles to 14 min right now. I will have even faster speeds available soon. Now that I have form down, I can work distance and speed.

I just finished a 10k this weekend. It was easier than I imagined. I ran a very slow 5k to start to save energy and finish. I could've run harder but you don't know if you don't try.

If you want to try a half in October, I'm game.

[Jonny00GT]

[QUOTE=AnthonyS;195938]Whenever you want to try and 5K or 10K, let me know. I'll sign up and do the same one with you. I'll be happy to cheer you on whether you are faster or slower or we are the same speed. QUOTE]

Hey, I think Chris, his wife and I are going to do the 5k around the shops at legacy 6/4. http://www.fireflyrun.com/dallas.htm

I'm going to do the 5K 5/14 in McKinney first, I think. Chris (ceyko) can't make it to that one. http://www.active.com/running/mckinn...-and-roll-2011

Depending on how the bruise on my foot does, I may try and squeeze the 5/1 race in McKinney in also...I'll post up when I know for sure. http://www.active.com/triathlon/mcki...run-races-2011 Barefoot running = good...barefoot walking in the dark in the middle of the night to get a drink of water and kicking a heavey wooden chair = BAD!!!

I haven't run 3 miles in 2yrs and back then, it got harder the longer I was out. 2 miles in 102' weather, no problem...beyond that was torture! Feet, shins, calves, wind, will power! I ran 2.5 last week right before I bruised my foot and I didn't want to stop! The 2 mile run yesterday was nice and my second mile was the best one, so I'm hopefull the 5k will be no big with a few more weeks of practice and HOPEFULLY, I'll be a little lighter by then too!

-Jonny

[Jonny00GT]

Ok, I'm registered for the 5/14 race in McKinney and the 6/4 race with Chris and his "boss"...even got MY Boss to sign up!

-Jonny

[ceyko]

Ah shit, I better get back on the ball so I can finish the damned thing.

[Ruffdaddy]

I may have to run a few of these. What are yalls target times?

[ceyko]

I may have to run a few of these. What are yalls target times?

Under 24 hours.

[Ruffdaddy]

Under 24 hours.

Hahaha...sure. I think I'll shoot for a mildly aggresive goal of around 24minutes, but I'm still relatively new to races over 200m.

[AnthonyS]

I can come do the 10K on 5/14. I'm supposed to do a 1:15 run that day for my workout and a slow relaxed 10K will work splendidly for that run.

I can't do anything 6/4, since I have my big race of the season on 6/5.

On 5/1 I'm going to be on a plane bound for vacation.

[Jonny00GT]

I can come do the 10K on 5/14. I'm supposed to do a 1:15 run that day for my workout and a slow relaxed 10K will work splendidly for that run.

I can't do anything 6/4, since I have my big race of the season on 6/5.

On 5/1 I'm going to be on a plane bound for vacation.

Cool. 5/14 then? I'm doing the 1 mile run/walk/roll with the wife and kids first and the 5K after. I'm a race virgin...this should be fun!

-Jonny