Couch Potato Goes Barefoot

Late last year I bought some Vibram Five Finger (VFF) shoes to run in. I guess it was Tim Ferriss who got me thinking running thoughts, because he was showing off the shoes. I'd never wanted to run before because I didn't trust the shoes, honestly. Maybe all of that ballet had me looking at the anatomy of a running stride differently, but I knew it couldn't be a good thing to land so hard on the heel.

Enter the natural running method, or barefoot-style running. Vibram has made a shoe for the purpose of keeping the foot moving naturally while protecting it from unspeakable street items. 

Here is their award-winning interactive website pictured above for more info. If you're looking for more styles, and less styley interactivity, you can see their main website.

I knew I wanted to get moving, but have had some resistance. Schedule, health ups and downs, weather, travel, the usual excuses. Then my friend Beth began posting her progress using the Couch to 5K (C25K) schedule via the app on her phone. Well, make it all techy and you've got me.

The thing is, I did not concern myself with the most important detail. Even if you're in great shape, even if you run, even if everything else is just right, running essentially barefoot takes getting used to. It is to be started slooooowwwwly, by all accounts. I thought the first scheduled interval walk/run would be so easy it qualified.

Um, no.

I have been humbled. Nothing hurts but my calves. So the rest of me was ready for this first run and more. But, oh, my calves!

The fully engaged foot allows truly full range of motion of the foot, so every part of the lower leg with a muscle insertion point moves in a more full way than it really ever has, except perhaps in serious dance classes, but even that isn't as repetitive.

Learn from my mistake! Absolutely get out there and do C25K, as it's known by those doing it. And absolutely grab a pair of VFFs to do it and avoid all those dreadful runner's injuries. But please, please, please do not do what I did! Take it slowly. Go for short walks in the shoes first, then long ones, then throw in a few little running intervals, then start C25K. 

My remedy of course is to go out today (it's been two days) and do a long, brisk walk in the VFFs, then to a few intervals, not more than two or three, and then walk it off. That will get the lactic acid out, and let my body know this is the new dealio.

Join me? I'd love to know how you run, novice to expert, I'm all ears!