Stats: 5 runs – 17.5 miles, longest run was 5 miles (I plan to run this afternoon, so I expect to go over 20 miles for the week. Woot!Edited: 20.5 miles for the week!)
Thus far, the minimalist experience is going really well for me. Last week and the early part of this week were really hard on my calves. I rolled them with a light saber, I stretched, I walked funny on the stairs. It wasn’t pain. Just the soreness and tightness that comes from working a set of muscles really hard. It’s been a long time since a simple 3 mile run could jack up my legs like that! Finally, on Thursday morning, I woke up for the first time in a week and a half and was able to walk normally. I’ve run twice since then and felt good during the runs and after.
As a funny aside, I tried to wear normal shoes to pick up the kids from school on Friday. They felt so weird! I’ve been barefoot or in minimalist shoes for three weeks now, even when not running, so my feet have forgotten what it feels like to have some lift in the heels. Good thing summer is approaching as my jeans are all too long now. ;o) And a shout out to minimalist shoe manufacturers (Vibrams, Merrell, ?) – I could really use a cute pair of shoes in earth tones to wear this spring. Just sayin’.
Notes for those of you who want more details on my conversion to minimalist running:
Monday: 3 hilly miles in Vibrams. My calves were still sore from Sunday’s run. Not sure what was going on, but I developed a bit of a tender spot on one foot, so I took Tuesday off.
Wednesday: 4 rainy miles in Vibrams with clients. My feet were soaked almost immediately and super cold at the start. They did warm up and despite the cold and wet did not develop any blisters or hot spots. I’ve found that Vibrams can be a bit slippery on wet grass and mud, but they did just fine on paved wet paths. Also? Wet Vibrams smell like a nasty combination of wet dog and feet.
Thursday: 2.3 miles in my new (bigger) pair of Merrell Barefoot Pace Gloves. Love! These felt great. It is a bit easier to get lazy on form in them because they have a slightly thicker sole.
Friday: 5 miles with clients in Vibrams. I seem to have finally reached the point where running in Vibrams feels normal. No problem whatsoever running for that long. I’m pretty sure I could have added some distance if I had wanted to.
Saturday: 3 “fast” miles in Merrells. I was racing a storm and didn’t have Garmin, so I’m not sure how fast I was going, but I finish my 3 mile course in under 29 minutes, even with stoplights. I focused really hard on faster, shorter strides and not slumping and seemed to run faster without feeling like my effort was much more.
Sunday: An easy 3 in my Vibrams. I would have gone farther and my feet and legs were up for it, but my tummy was not. Oh well. That’s the beauty of not being in training mode – no guilt about missed mileage.
So, I’m over a third of the way, distance wise, to my goal of running the Philly half marathon in minimalist shoes!
Woohoo, well done on a 10 mile week! Funny how "normal" shoes don't feel so normal anymore!
wow, awesome week!! is running philly in them your goal?
I'm impressed! I've never tried minamalist shoes… kind of intimidated really… like what if I spend the money on them and hate them… then I have at least $80 worth of shoes there that I will never wear! Awesome week to you though!
Great week! It's interesting to hear how your thoughts on what feels normal are changing. I can only imagine that "regular" running shoes will feel pretty odd (if you ever go back)!
excellent!! I love how you are documenting your progress 🙂
This is really good to see this is going well for you!
I'm glad it's still going so well. I love that you used a light saber on your calves!