KSO Treks Rock

I'm diggin' my new Vibram KSO Treks. This is perhaps the best footwear I've ever had for running. They also have performed well in cold weather and harsh trail terrain in the mountains. Vibram has the opportunity to increase its market share through the minimalist running community.

Unfortunately, I don't believe barefoot running will ever become widely accepted especially since there's no business model for shoe companies to make $ if everyone is barefoot. They will continue to twist the data on barefoot running and make sure most folks never try it, or stick with it. But, for companies in the minimalist category like Vibram, they have a real opportunity. All they need is a few elite runners to endorse and run in the footwear

Harry

Thinking of Writing a Short Book

I'm thinking of writing a short instruction manual/book on how to become a runner in a short period of time. I've logged every mile since I started running in early 2007 and, less than 3 years later, I'm running 40 mile weeks, completed a few marathons and half marathons, run up to a 10k barefoot, ditched shoes, etc. A ton of stuff has happened but my daily running manual could show someone how to start from scratch and become a runner with a little desire and commitment.

I'd enjoy some feedback on whether that would be a good idea.

HHH

Faster in Vibrams

Just finished a tempo run. Nothing too hard but maintained a 6:45 - 7:00 min. pace for a 10k in my Vibrams. What's interesting is I maintain the same tempo training pace when I wore running shoes. So the question is, why ever wear running shoes? It's the biggest ripe off in the world . . . really, it is. I know, I know, only a few folks have an open enough mind to even consider the idea and that's really too bad. Vibrams can last up to 3,000 miles . . . heck, they are made of rubber, similar to tire rubber which lasts 24,000 miles. So, why buy a new pair of shoes every 300-500 miles when Vibrams can last years. More interesting, if you run barefoot, your feet last your entire life. That's even a better deal.

HHH

Longest VFF run

What a great morning. Just finished my longest VFF run. 16 miles in 2 hrs. I've been working toward this distance in VFFs so I could compare it against my prior long runs in regular running shoes. Well, given this result, I can retire my running shoes. This distance/pace is every bit, if not better, than what I did in running shoes. Plus, I have complete command of my body without running shoes. I feel the surface and I can feel every tweak I make in my running form . . . it's a beautiful thing. My running form and efficiency is improving tremedously due to barefoot running and Vibram running.

If you haven't tried it, you don't know what you are missing.

HHH

The Key to Running

There are many keys to running but the #1 key is a proper warmup. Not a quick warmup either but a warmup that lasts 15-20 minutes (10 minutes at a minimum). During the warmup, simply run very slowly, in the 10-13 min. per mile range. Ideally, a 2 mile warmup is perfect then start into your routine. This requires the big "D" . . . discipline and requires you to add time and distance to your running regime. However, it is worth it without question.

I just finished a 7.5 mile run; 1.5 mile warmup; 5 miles at sub 7 min. pace; and 1 mile warm down. The warm down is also as important as the warmup. When you properly warm down, your body already starts the healing process including fixing micro-tears in the muscles.

It took me 2 years to respect the warmup and warm down. Don't learn the hard way like me.

HHH

Good Running Week; Back to VFFs

Had a great week running. Put in about 50+ miles. Had to go with my racing flats for my mountain runs but, otherwise, back to VFFs. VFFs have become my primary running gear of choice and I use racing flats for tougher terrain. And, of course, I still run barefoot to keep me and my form honest.

Harry

Great Reverse Split

Hit the road this morning. Started in the dark and watched the sun rise as I finished a 6.2 mile run; first half at 8.46 pace and the second half at 6.57 pace. Felt great. Nothing like running and watching the sun rise. Very spiritual and uplifting.

HHH

8 Miles Yesterday; Rest Today

Knocked off 8 miles at 8,000 - 9,000 ft., on rough terrain. I'm resting today but I'll be back at it tomorrow. Still experimenting with this whole footwear stuff. I'm currently running barefoot, in VFFs and in my racing flats. Maybe I'll keep this combination as it feels pretty good.

HHHH

Back to the Barefoot World

Finished 4 miles barefoot. Felt awesome. Short n' sweet. Not sure where this is taking me but the fun is in the journey not the destination.

HHH

Great early morning run

Knocked off 8.19 miles this morning. Nice good tempo run. Used by racing flats. It's all VFF tomorrow. On track for a 50+ mile week; let's see if I keep it up though.

HHH

Nice Morning Reverse Split

Nice easy run this morning. 5.39 miles doing a reverse split. 9.30 pace for the 1st half and 7:30 pace for the second half. One of those good wake me up runs . . . now I'm ready to tackle the work day.

HHH

Fast run in shods after boycott

after boycotting my running shoes for 4 weeks (me and my shoes decided to seperate and live apart for awhile until we could resolve our differences, otherwise, we might be headed for divorce), i put on the asics hyperspeed 3 racing flats and knocked off a 10k in 40 minutes. pretty good pace and i also concentrated on bringing the ankles toward my butt (some call it butt kicking). it's the first time i actively tried it and it felt weird at first but then i settled in and my legs were in constant motion, then i learned forward with the hips and took off. i'm not sure how long i can maintain that but it felt awesome to get my form down even if just for 6 miles.

so, tonight i'll take another run in my ascis to see what happens. i'm not leaving my VFFs (no, i'm not a 2 timer) but i need to decide whether the asics and VFFs can co-exist or if i must divorce one of them (right now we have an open relationship).

HHH

Nice after work run yesterday

Knocked off a nice 7.5 mile run as I ran from the office to my home. I now see why, for the wrong reasons I may mention, that folks run in the evening. With an evening run, I noticed that I really didn't have much of an appetite for dinner (great weight control approach although probably not healthy at all).

Something to think about. Something that bothers me is it appears the professional ultra runners seem to look unhealthy, just too thin for me.

HHH

VFF miles increasing

Just finished my longest VFF run. 11 miles. I just started BF and VFF running 6 4 weeks ago so I'm pleased with the increase. I'm up to 30-35 mile weeks. Once I return to 40-45 mile weeks, I'll be back to what my running schedule was in shods (of course, I'll never return to shods). I just need to add a few more miles and I will be ready for a half marathon in the VFFs (that's my goal). I'm probably 2-3 months away . . . I need to feel comfortable at about 15 miles in the VFFs for a half but I'll get there.

2 months ago I would have called this crazy and anyone doing it . . . I never would have thought I would ever switch to BF and VFF. But, I'm a convert not b/c the "personal" data is indisputable. I was told to take 2-3 months off. I immediately threw away the shoes and started BF . . . I've never stopped running; BF and VFF is why I could continue to run. I'll just continue to "rebuild" my body. I'm 40 yrs. old and I LOVE the idea of rebuilding my muscles and reverting my running form back to how I ran as a child. This is what makes life fun!!!!

It's never too late to accomplish anything in life!!

HHH

VFFs for Life???

I just ran 6.5 miles at a 7:30 pace without pushing it. This is a faster cruise pace than when I use to run in shoes. Sure begs the question, actually many questions. Why am faster almost barefoot? I tried to put shoes back on and I can't do it. My feet have adapted back to their natural state of running without the confinement of modern running shoes. VFFs are as close as you can get to barefoot with just a think layer of rubber under the sole of the foot and toes that allow the foot and all its 26 bones and 100+ muscles and tendons to function naturally.

What a journey.

HHH