September 2009 Archives

This morning was the first time that my runs in my KSO's that I didn't run a faster time than before. That could have been because I kinda strained myself moving items around the house.

I am trying to increase the frequency of my runs but my left Achilles is a bothering me a bit. This was an issue before I started using the KSO's but it had been stretching out earlier in my runs than it did today.

Everything else is going fine, in fact I had a slight knee issue I thought was going to hold me back before I started running in the KSO's but that has gone away almost to nothing now.

Evaluating the whole Vibram Five Finger KSO running expression has been very positive and I don't think I will be going back to my traditional running shoes since my lower back and hamstrings aren't as much of an issue any longer.

I just need to start running more frequently and progress to back to back days so I can get in the shape I have been in in the past and really push it!

Well I got a couple more runs with my VFF ( Vibram Five Finger) KSO's in since my last post including earlier this morning and my time improved again over a 30 seconds on my 4 mile run.

I'm starting not to worry so much about adjusting to the KSO's and just going out concentrating on running. Thursday I was running errands so I went and ran a bit over 4 miles at one of the local Junior College track at ARC and that felt good as well.

I'm not quite ready to go over 4 miles yet but I think I will try an LSD (Long Slow Distance) in my KSO's soon.

As far as how I feel after the runs my back, hamstrings & shins don't feel the tightness like a ball I used to feel. The place I feel a bit of impact is my lower calves but its just like working a muscle in the gym. During the day I notice I have more spring in my calves when going up the stairs and with my normal steps my walking stride is changing.

I'm really liking my KSO's for running so far.

Well today after missing a few days running due to my schedule I took a run just about and hour ago and my time improved past what had been my PB since getting back into my runs in June. I am able to push my stride a bit more in the VFF (Vibram Five Finger) KSO's than previous runs.

I had been improving already with my previous footwear, Saucony Propel Grid Plus, but with the VFF KSO's I don't get all of the cramping I had with all previous shoe wear. The only shoes previous to these VFF KSO's I could run in consistently without injury were the Saucony brand. I would still feel my legs were beat up with traditional running shoes I liked.

I do pretty extensive stretching every night before going to bed and have noticed that even then my legs aren't as tight as normal on days I run.

The thing I have to work on now is running more consistently not letting my schedule get in the way taking my runs before it gets too hot.

So far changing to the VFF KSO's have been better than anticipated in the short time I have had them

This morning I completed my third street run and fourth workout in my Vibram KSO's. Taking my standard 4 mile run and it was very comfortable and my speed improved from the last time and is getting closer to my times with my previous athletic shoes.

I'm adapting better than I could imagine to the more upright approach you need with the KSO's. When I'm out there its strange sometimes I don't feel like I'm putting forth the effort I should, like I should be struggling more.

I have bad habits I know I have to be conscious of during my runs and those seem to be changing on their own with the KSO's. One bad habit I have is my feet would fly off in an awkward angle (sometimes scarping m other ankle as I pulled in trying to correct my stride) as I tried picking up speed, wasting energy and effort. I started to pick my pace up today and my feet through habit started to fly out to the side but because of the running style you need to have with these KSO's, in one stride I corrected this, in fact the KSO's just let me put my energy & power into my forward stride easily!

I put a lot of importance in how I feel after my runs and I don't feel like my body is as beat up as normal from my runs. My hamstrings, quads and lower back aren't in a tight ball as normal yet I'm not far off from my previous pace with my normal running shoes.

This is cool, yet strange I don't know what to think about this, I'll keep moving forward with my workouts to see how things progress.

Today I took another run in my KSO Five Fingers from Vibram. I took a 4 mile run today.

The run went well even though technically I should be taking it slower.

My pace was quite a bit slower but it felt good.

When I'm out there in the KSO's the feeling is so unusual I almost feel like I am running in socks, but of course I have the soles of my KSO's under me.

I did my second Vibram Five Finger KSO's workout in the gym. I went and did my full body workout in the gym with with weights while wearing my KSO's and then did a 30 minute session on the treadmill.

I felt pretty good after my Sunday run with my KSO's of about 3 miles and this session felt good as well.

With everything going on its nice to have a great workout! A good workout, especially running, is like a good meditation session but more exhilarating!

So far I have noticed once into my run on the street and on the treadmill with the KSO's I fall into a very comfortable rhythm for a while once my muscles relax. I think its a promising start so far with not as much discomfort as I imagined initially.

Earlier today, during half time of the Sunday night football game I went running in my Vibram Five Finger KSO's. I went a bit further than I initially intended because I felt a lot more comfortable once I go a little into the run.

I went maybe about 3 miles. I made a cut off my normal path down a different street that shortened the run a bit but still gave me a decent work out. My stride was noticeably different but comfortable.

I have been working on strengthening my ankles & shins since I primarily run on pavement. I have always worked with weights on my legs or done leg raises while lying on my back to take pressure off my knees. When in the gym or when I had a gym setup in my home I always did leg raises to keep my quads strong.

The last year plus I have been doing specific exercises to strengthen my shins and ankles from the shin splints and ankle strain I feel once I start ramping up my runs. This is why I think I was feeling comfortable enough to run as long as I did in my initial Vibram five finger run.

Funny thing is I didn't feel the strain on the back of my ankles I normally do during my runs. I feel a few different muscles have been used but it feels really good, like a good gym workout on unused muscles but a much more minor muscle strain that I thought.

I always wondered why I never got tired when I was younger but had shins & ankles issues when running track. After finding out about barefoot running & Vibram Five Fingers and the research it sounded like it addressed the issues I have when increasing my runs.

I'll have to keep it going to see how it all works out.