One step at a time...

Okay, so you know I am not a fan of the Vibram Five Fingers, but there are many who are! I can't tell you how many customers that come in (or call) looking for the latest "pet rock" that's going to take them from the (well-cushioned) sofa to a sub 30 minute 10 km.

Here are two excellent articles, from two very respectable sites. Courtesy of John O'Neill manager at CRC. The key here is to educate yourself... then decide.

http://gear.runnersworld.com/2010/04/one-barefoot-step-at-a-time.html

http://running.competitor.com/2010/05/features/but-is-it-faster_9784

Betcha could use some cushion now...

So there I was at about mile 4 of the Boston Marathon this past Monday. I noticed a runner bobbing and weaving like a middleweight boxer through the congestion out of Hopkinton. I then noticed his feet - or should I say what he was wearing on his feet... Vibram's KSO Five Fingers. The other thing that I became 'painfully' aware of, was this guy was a heavy heel striker.... hmmmm.

I never gave it another thought until later in the race, when I saw the same dude, although now he wasn't weaving - or running for that matter - but rather, executing a rather slow and painful 'death march' up the first Newton hill or what's better know as Heartbreak Hill. I must say, that there was nothing "natural" about his stride... now. I smiled to myself and continued RUNNING up Heartbreak. I never saw the Five Fingers after that.

Did I happen to mention that I finished the marathon with a Boston PR (3:34), this being my forth Boston in 8 years. Running every step in my new favorite shoe the Nike Lunaracer!

Weighing in on minimal and barefoot running...

Okay, here goes...

What's the deal with the frenzy behind barefoot running? I realize there's a "movement" out there to toss away the comfy cushioned running shoes, and just go blazing down the sidewalk, pounding heel-strikes, on nothing other than what we were born with. Come on, does that really sound smart, let alone safe? The only time that I run barefoot is in the summer months when I run strides after a speed workout. This usually takes place on the infield of the (CC) track. I do love the feel of grass in bare feet!

CRC has caused some excitement in the last few days when we brought in the Vibram Fivefingers. I haven't tried them out yet, but I know they would be an excellent 'tool' in helping strengthen foot muscle when training. They may not be suitable for people with severe pronation or supination.

Going minimal does have its merits. I will admit, I do love my NB 100's and the Nike Lunaracer - the shoe I'm running in the Boston Marathon in a few weeks.

Finally, a friend recently sent me this link, one of the best sites for the mechanics of BFR. http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/. You can make your own decisions.