Updates from the Vibram Five Fingers Zone

I got in about 30 minutes ago from a 6 mile run in m y Vibram Five Finger shoes. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt. My calves are "adjusting" to this new form of torture on them right now and it's likely that tomorrow I will crawl from my bed to the sink to brush my teeth in the morning. After having run about 20 miles in these slippers here are some of my insights:

First, these are a humbling shoe and it will definitely take some time for your body to adapt to running with little to no support.
Second, running through sprinklers feels really weird in these shoes.
Third, I've had seering arch pain a few times that goes away in a few minutes almost completely.
Fourth, my Achilles tendon problem is being helped by these shoes. It hurts really early in the run, but with a quick stretch, it disappears for the rest of the run. Something to note, the arch pain shows itself, typically, on the same leg as my Achilles problem, leading me to believe that as my arch strengthens and shortens, the Achilles will have less strain and less pain,
Fifth, you will turn your feet over more quickly in these shoes in an effort to land softer ( a good thing for longevity of my tendons I hope)
Sixth, when you get tired and your calves don't want to cooperate, you'll revert to heel striking, but you will know it because it will try to shake the fillings out of your teeth.
Seventh, driving your hips up and forward a bit puts you into more of a forefoot strike and can be used in the early stages of calf exhaustion to keep from heel striking.
Eight, these things are light and if I can ever get strong enough to put some speed-work in, I can only imagine how fast they'll feel.
Ninth, they look funky and running in them with shorts makes your legs look funky. Those of you that know me well, know that I have a disdain for girls that wear capri pants and flat shoes. Almost no girl can make that look good. If you must wear capris wear a heel of some sort. These shoes with running shorts kinda have that same effect.
Tenth, running on a horse trail at night in the dark in these can be an adventure for your feet. Small rocks, sticks and twigs are all felt and the other night I just missed stepping in a pile of horse crap. While that did provide a welcome distraction as it entertaine my thoughts for a while as to how that might have felt squishing between my toes and the difference between it being warm and cold were questioned, I am glad that I missed it and try to maintain a little more tail awareness.

That's all I have for now. The verdict is still out. I promise to keep you updated as my strength grows and I can put some distance on them. A huge shoutout to my friend Marivel who just finshed a /2 marathon in her Five Fingers a couple of weekends ago.

Lastly, I'll be making an announcement soon about a new nutrition line that I am teaming up with to shed a few unwanted pounds and help some friends do the same. It promises to be the most nutritionally dense meal replacement drink on the market to date. Stay tuned and put on some weight for a good "before picture".

Live Fit,

Chris