Five Toes Running Shoes

TIME Magazine named Vibram FiveFingers one of Best Inventions of 2007 so of course I had to do my research and check them out. Like I said before I have been doing a lot of reading on ultra marathoning, running, and body mechanics. Well running barefoot has been receiving a lot of hype lately.

They are a great cross over shoe; they help you you go back to a more natural stride.

So what is the hype about (this is from their website):
"FiveFingers footwear deepens your connection to the earth and your surroundings. FiveFingers enhance your sense of touch and feel, while improving foot strength, balance, agility, and range of motion. Because wearing Vibram FiveFingers is so close to going barefoot, you’ll enjoy the health and performance benefits of barefooting without some of the risks."

I have been doing more than researching these shoes, I actually went out and bought a pair. The sizing of the shoe is pretty precise and I bought a size too small at first. I ran 3 miles in them, went to take them back, and they told me NO I couldn't take them back. I got all riled up and they finally agreed. Any good running store knows you need to run in the shoe for more than a jog up and down the street to know if they are the right. Ok off topic. I got the right size now and they are great. Every issue I had before due to my previous stupid running shoes went away: Achilles problem, calves, hamstring, and knee issues. Lack of stretching didn't help so I've been doing eccentric stretching and running in the flat shoes. Those 2 things made everything go away. I also modified my stride so now I do the soft running technique which gives you more turnover and you look like an old person running (but that's ok because a lot of old people pass me in runs like I'm standing still!)

Here I am in the shoes. I know they look kind of funny and I wouldn't necessarily go out in public with them but they do do wonders for your joints and pronation issues.

what do you think?

35 days and counting

35 days until our marathon in Newport RI.
Julie did a 20 miler yesterday and I did the same training run today. On the real long runs we decided to alternate days so that Stevie isn't subjected to getting up at 5:30am and pushed around the streets of Knoxville for hours upon hours.
I'm horrible with the-moment-capturing thing with the camera so no pictures of Julie but she got some of me.
Here I am at mile 18, only 2 more to go
and here I am at the home stretch running past our house w/a pretty cool water boy helping out