Easing into the FiveFingers

Since my blister incident of a couple of weeks ago, I've been cautiously training my feet for wearing my Vibram FiveFingers. Running exclusively on the treadmill (it's very cold and snowy here) makes this easy. I run the first two kilometers of each run in the FiveFingers, then switch to conventional shoes. I'm mindful of how my feet feel, especially my toes. I'll gradually increase from 2K.

If I were running outside, I'd do a short loop in the VFFs, then switch shoes.

I'm pleased and a little surprised that I haven't had much ankle and calf soreness. When I first started running in the FiveFingers last year, I could really feel it in most every part of my legs below the knee.

Half marathon in May

I've begun training for a half Marathon. For the first time in my adult running life, I'll be following a specific training plan. I've chosen SmartCoach from the Runner's World web site. In past years, I've either trained totally haphazardly, or at best I've used the Daniels Running Formula for determining training pace. I didn't actually follow the Daniels plan, though; I might run a tempo run when I felt like it, or do repeats when I thought it might be fun.

For a runner like me (i.e., really slow, and not well-trained), I think it's more important to pick some plan - any plan - and stick to it, rather than trying to pick the perfect plan.

You can find training programs all over the internet. The Brookings Marathon web site lists a number of them.

Lesson not learned

My running has been spotty lately, to put it charitably, and all on treadmills and in conventional shoes. I've just recently gotten back into a bit of a routine, and on Monday decided it was time to put the FiveFingers back on and hit the treadmill. I should have known better, but I did the entire run (granted, it was only 30 minutes) in the Vibrams. This was after using only conventional shoes for the last few months. To make matters worse, when I felt my two big toes start to develop hot spots at about 25 minutes, I ignored it and kept on running. Not too bright!

Sure enough, I had blisters on both big toes. They aren't severe, and with the help of a bit of Dr. Scholl's Moleskin, I was able to run today.

If you've decided to take the minimalist shoe plunge, do as I say and not as I do: ease into it!