Gloves for your toes

I just finished reading "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall and in the book he notes that 8 out of 10 runners will experience an injury every year. As I "resemble that remark" and am currently nursing a sore left Achilles tendon for the umpteenth time, I read the his text with a special interest. His hypothesis is that the current crop of padded running shoes has changed our gait in such a manner so as to cause more and more injuries. This goes along with many other articles that I've read recently.
One of the runners he studied runs either barefoot or uses the Vibram Fivefingers shoes. So with nothing to loose, except the love of my physical therapist ( who really enjoys collecting from my insurance company) I placed my order last week for a pair from REI.com
Today a pair of size 42 Vibram FiveFinger Sprints arrived at my house.

I walked around in them this evening and went to the bank in them ( yep, a few strange looks there) . They are crazy light and you feel like you are barefoot, except that the bottom of your foot isn't getting scratched by anything. So with that small test behind me, I decided to take a run tonight.

I went for a two mile run. They certainly change your gait and your run a LOT quieter. That much I did like. 2 miles felt more like 6 and I did get some soreness in my left arch and the pads of my feet. I think, though, that as my feet strengthen and adjust that these are going to be an awesome addition to my life. I do also se how they will help alleviate injuries. I'll keep you posted on that. 

One note, reflexology uses points on the bottom of your feet to create changes all over your body. So it should have come as no surprise that when your run virtually barefoot you get some wild sensations throughout your body. I am wondering if this subsides or is something that just comes with the territory. Again, I'll keep you apprised.