A Friend's Vibram FiveFinger Experience: On the Mend Running in Flows

I was never too interested in the barefoot running movement and saw it as a fringe group of serious runners, but I have been plagued by knee problems for the past two year (actually more like 3) and have been sidelined and getting fat and lazy.  Nathan suggested that VFF could get me back on the road and I got a pair of Flow's about 6 weeks ago to test his suggestion.

First impression:  Slipping them on was a big challenge, I had to resort to using a butter knife to get my toes seperated and slide them into place.  My wife got a lot of chuckles out of that but I'd like to see how she would do it.  Once I got them on I looked down and a smile came to my face.  These are the goofiest things I've ever worn.  Goofy, but also cool.  I felt trendy, I felt good.  I felt like one of the cool kids, and as my kids will tell you I'm anything but cool and trendy. I was getting some positive vibe from the non-shoes.  The source of the positive vibe was a bit mysterious to me.  I think it was a combination of the goofy coolness that is VFF and the fact that I was ready to try running again.  Six weeks later I still grin when I view my VFF clad feet from above.

As I am out of shape and nursing a tender knee I have been taking it real easy in the Flow's.  More walking than running.  My first run was a quarter mile, I felt like a weinie for quiting so early but I'm trying to build up my knee, my stamina and most importantly not do anything that will sideline me before I get going. 

I continue to take it easy, only running about a mile at a time.  Is my knee better?  I would have to say yes, there is still some tenderness there, but I am not agravated by pain on a day to day basis.  I'm not totally converted to bartefoot/minimalist running but I have made some progress in accepting it as a serious movement and believe there are good reasons to go barefoot.  I used to think barefoot was just for hippies and freaks.  I'm niether. 

I've only made one attempt at running totally barefoot.  One night my wife and I were at a park watching the kids play.  I was wishing I had brought my "feet" with me so off came the sandals and I did about a half mile un-shod.  It wasn't too bad, a couple rocks made me wince but when I was done I felt great knowing I could do it.

I'm still at the beginning of a journey that I hope will bring me to the starting line (actually the finish line) of another marathon. I'm still going to take it easy, only increasing my mileage in careful increments for the next 5-6 months but then I am going to commit to a marathon and go for it. 

More Later … 
Former Marathoner now in VFF's

Comments

[Jesse]

Very cool, another convert!

I've dealt with a bad knee for the bulk of my life and never really considered running after I had to quit football in high school. Now that I've been barefoot/minimalist shoe clad for going on 2 years, I'm actually starting to jog for a few blocks at a time when I go out for a walk. You know what...it feels great! No marathons for me (well, I'm planning on walking Seattle this year, but you know what I mean), but it's an amazing change.