Many of you have asked about my new Vibram Bikila LS Five Fingers. The Five Fingers are a unique shoe designed to mimic the feel of going barefoot. The Bikila is the running model of the shoe, and the LS means it has laces. I have a very wide foot, so the laces give me a little more room in the shoe. The normal model has an elastic bridge with a velcro closure. I found these to be a little too tight for my foot.Today, I went for my first run in the Five Fingers. I got the shoes on Friday, and had been anxiously looking forward to my first run in them. Because they imitate the feel of running barefoot, the Five Fingers are supposed to cause a more natural foot strike when running, striking first on the forefoot rather than the heel. This creates less trauma on the body and produces fewer running related injuries. (Okay, that's a greatly abbreviated description of what barefoot running is supposed to do, but that will do for this blog.)
Today, I ran the majority of my run in my old pair of Asics. I will say, I love these shoes. They have been my faithful companion as I have finally gotten my butt back in gear and back into the world of running. They are light and comfortable, and I've pounded a lot of pavement in them. But, I've put way too many miles on them, and it was time for a new pair of running shoes, so I made the switch to the Five Fingers.
I only did the last 7.5 minutes in my Five Fingers today. I am allowing my feet, body, and running motion to gradually adjust to the new feel of running in them. So, here's my initial evaluation. The feel of running nearly barefoot was incredible. My feet were very light without the weight of a large, padded running shoe on them. I run on pavement, and my feet were not at all uncomfortable. I had a good feel of the road beneath my feet, but I did not cringe at the rough surface of the road. Having my toes free allowed them to splay as I ran giving a great sensation of being able to "grip" the road.
Running on my forefeet also gave me more of a feeling of springing as I ran. Even though I had the Five Fingers on at the end of the run, I was able to speed up my pace. I also had increased my running intervals today, but still had energy at the end of my run.
I will say that it takes some time to get used to the forefoot strike. After years of running more on my heel, this takes some adjustment. It's not bad at all, it is just going to take some time to get used to. Also, years ago I had a serious fracture of my right leg. This caused my right leg to turn out slightly more than my left. As a result, I had to concentrate a little more on getting a good forefoot strike with my right foot.
The greatest sensation from the Five Fingers was after I finished my run. Ordinarily, when I finish, my calves are aching, I have some pain in my feet, and my lower back is aching. Today, I had none of that. I got home and feel great. Now, bear in mind that I only did 7 1/2 minutes in the Five Fingers, so my evaluation may change with more time and miles beneath my feet. But so far, I am loving them!
