Run 4 and 5

I need to change the titles to run, because I'm not running every day in these shoes. After this week, I definitely won't be running in them for a while. My parents and I went up to the cabin, so my fitness routine was slightly off. I ran for 6 mn on run #4. Foot hurt, but not as bad as initially. Therefore, the next day was 90 degrees plus 80% humidity, so a regular run was out the window. I decided to go 10 mn on the shoes instead of an actual run. Worst decision. My foot health has quickly declined. I am now limping because it hurts to put so much pressure on my heel. I have an almost blister on my big toe, and I wish it would blister so that I can callus.
Now that we're back in civilization, I have access to a gym, and after 3 days of no running, I had to go. I brought along my New Balances with my orthotics for a treadmill run (it's still in the 90+ temps). At first, I could only run at a very slow pace - 10:30 per mile. My feet started to feel better, so I upped the speed slowly, but couldn't go faster than 9:50 per mile due to the pain in my heel. They definitely respond positively to the orthotics, and I'm wondering whether it's because I need the orthos or because that's what they're used to. I'm not giving up, but I am going to take a little break. I'll probably wait a week before using the VFFs again - and I think I'll just start with walking in them.

Day 3 - 5 mn Run

After struggling with intense heel pain after running, I started reading about other's experiences. I found this article regarding barefoot running. I'm not really sure what to think of About.com - is it kind of like a Wikipedia with ad sponsors? Anyway, I found it comforting and helpful to read. One thing that was new to me is that barefoot running helps your balance, and Lord knows I need help with that! I have been expecting leg pain, but not heel pain. After reading this article, I learned that there can be an initial increase of not only leg pain, but also Achilles Heel and Plantar Fasciitis. I especially loved their last downside of barefoot running - "You will look strange." After reading the About.com article, I also found this website - birthdayshoes.com. I have yet to explore it in detail, but on initial glance it seemed that they had some good info. I did read someone's forum entry that was similar to my heel pain experience. They recommended very short distances, and building up. I decided I would run for 5 mn today, and every day until I can build up.
The 5 mn run was a little painful in the heel. I found myself favoring the heel and barely touching at all. There were still a few times where I was striking with the heel since my feet are so trained to heel strike. Hopefully the heel pain isn't so bad throughout the day, but we'll see.

Day 2 - 15 mn Run - 1 Week later

Write about it later!

Day 1 - 20 mn Run

When purchasing my Bikilas, the REI man said to start small - run for only 20 mn, and then add time. Following his advice, I headed out onto a running path near my house.
During the run, my initial thoughts were on my little toes (#3-5 - can I call those the little ones?). They felt awkard and spread out. I felt pressure and soreness on my toe joints (where the toes meet the foot). Now I feel that I need some edumacation regarding the names of my body parts, but you get the idea.
I have read that you will be extremely sore in the ankles and lower legs, so I was expecting sore calves and possibly a sore Achilles heel. That didn't happen to me.
What did happen was an intense pain in my left heel. This is a new heel pain for me - it's on the inside part of my heel, and it spans the width of my foot. It hurts to put a lot of pressure on it, and I have noticed it since running barefoot around the softball field. The only thing that gives it relief is to put my old, orthotically enhanced running shoes back on. I won't give up yet, as this is supposed to be normal. However, I will take some time off of running in the barefoot shoes.

Inspiration

I have just finished the book, Born to Run, by Christopher McDougal. The book chronicals the Tarahumara Indian tribe in Mexico, along with the mechanics, science, and evolution of running, running barefoot vs running with shoes, and a healthier diet. It is a great story into the lives of the Indian tribe as well as the Ultra marathon culture. The author learns some valuable lessons in learning about both, and consults various doctors and scientists about the theories and philosophies brought up. Finishing the book, I was inspired to go out and run barefoot, and to follow my run with a diet of organic vegetables. Growing up in Minnesota with a family of hunters and fishermen, cutting the meat part out of my diet would be a challenge far greater than what I could handle right now, but this barefoot thing is quite a possibility.

I have been running for fifteen years now, starting in high school. There hasn't been a time in my running career that I wasn't nursing some injury or another. Here is a list of the injuries I have had that I can remember off the top of my head: shin splits, plantar fasciitis, patellar tendinitis, sprained ankle, stress fractures (2 of them!), pulled hamstring, a swollen hip joint, an undiagnosed back injury cured by a torque release chiropractor, and my latest, IT Band syndrome. The IT Band Syndrom has been bothering me now for 2 1/2 years, preventing me from running serious miles. I bought an IT Band strap about a year ago, and luckily that has helped me to get at least 15 miles in a week. I miss putting in serious miles, and the competition that I used to be a part of. I have yet to meet a Boston qualifying time and to compete in a triathlon. While I am quick to say that I need a different job before I can put in the training time, I could make the time if I knew I wouldn't be fighting off an injury.

Barefoot runners claim they run injury free. Born To Run scientists claim that humans were built for running, and that for hundreds of years they ran without injuries. What changed was the invention and development of a structured running shoe 30 years ago. Cushioned running shoes make our feet, tendons, and muscles weak. They encourage injuries rather than prevent them. Striking with our heels cause us to "put the break" on our running, locking up our knees, and causing adverse effects in other parts of our bodies. If we were to reverse time and run like we did as little kids in the yard, our feet, legs, and bodies would readjust, and we would essentially be injury free.

Between the book, a couple of articles read, and the influence of a well-respected coworker of mine, I decided to try it. I'm not running more than 15 miles a week anyway, what have I got to lose? I started by running laps around a softball field in a local park. I moved to California recently, and there is no way that I intend to stay lapping it when I could be up in the mountains on trail runs. Therefore, I decided I needed some shoes to protect my weak feet. I think the Vibram Five Fingers are ugly, so I definitely won't be wearing them around town, as I see many crazy Californians doing, but on the trails is a different story. A bonus is that I have a gift card to REI, so the shoes will only cost me $15 of my own money. Therefore, purchase was made, and I am now the owner of some VFF's.

I will be e-chronicalling my experience on the barefoot running journey. I am hoping that the claims are true, and that I am soon to be injury-free.