It's been almost a week that I got the Vibram so I figure I would update you the readers on my experience with them. I worked out all week with them, I wore them a few hours extra just walking around doing running errands and doing stuff.
Monday 7/18:
Cross training, back and triceps. While doing overhead tricepts extension on the cable machine I felt significantly less stability than usual in my posture. My legs were just flimsy and my core compensated a lot more. I think my legs did not "know" how to provide the stability I needed without the extra support my regular shoes provide. I find this most interesting ... I also jogged a half mile on the track (8 laps) on the straight sections, slowed down and walked at a brisk pace on the curve sections. The intent is to break into the Vibrams slowly
Wednesday 7/20:
I went to Crystal MacMillan Fit Club. We did TurboFire which is a tempo cardio workout with running drills and kick boxing inspired moves. I did not feel impeded by not wearing regular shoes but I was worried to not overdo on lateral movements ... For two reasons: first because activities that require sudden lateral movement is discouraged when you train for long distance running (as running is mostly in one direction) and second because I was wary that the absence of support from the Vibrams would put increased pressure on my knees laterally. I ran my scheduled seven miler for the day after Fit Club in my Brooks. My legs felt definitely heavier. I felt weird pain on the outside of my left knee. I felt sluggish so I think I had just ran out of steam at the Fit Club. Heat did not help either ... mmm ... Fit club and the training run was probably too much ... But I digress lets get back on the topic !
Friday 7/22:
Took a day of rest Thursday and slept like 6 hours instead of my usual 4 so I was bursting with energy today or so it seemed! I cross-trained shoulders and arms today, 45 minutes. I wore the Vibrams of course. I warmed up with 5 min jumping rope ... I was bouncing like a bunny or so it felt. In part because the Vibrams are lighters than my regular Aesics I use for cross-training ... But the form was also different ... I bounced off the forefoot instead of the entire foot like I do with the Aesics. My feet altered their usual position naturally (that is I didn't "try" to change the position of my feet rather it just happen naturally). This is worth noting because after that I did my 4 miler training run that was scheduled for Thursday ... Well the 4 miles turned into a 6 miler because of the route but that's a different story ... What is noteworthy is how my legs ran ... That's right. My legs had a mind of their own today. It's hard putting into words. It's like my feet were reaching further forward and down ... My strike was different ... The heel strike was smoother ... The pace was pretty fast too, about 8:15 min/mile. This "phenomena" lasted between about half mile into the run to mile 4.5. After that, fatigue settled in and I reverted to my normal strike (heel first hard). I felt the difference instantaneously. I think there is something to these shoes ...
So five days into wearing my Vibrams I noticed changes in form, more power in my strides, weird pain and sorenesses on the sides of my legs and feet that come and go ... So the question on my mind tonight is how do I ensure the Vibrams are safe? Five days into wearing my Vibrams and my stride is mutating before my eyes ... It's amazing !
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