Yesterday began the way all the best days do… hot power yoga surrounded by friends. The 90-minute session felt wonderful after I took several days in a row off from classes over the weekend.
Post-yoga I met Ryan for lunch at our favorite go-to, Infusion Tea.
Apparently I’m a creature of habit because I ordered the my favorite- 1/2 tempeh chili, 1/2 Milton Special salad and a Passion Fruit iced tea of the day. I love the fresh flavors and textures of the salad balanced out by the hearty, warm chili. It must be good for me to order it several times each month over the last year!
Over lunch Ryan told me about how she was considering the Vibram Five Fingers. I’ve been considering Vibram’s for a while but hadn’t made the jump yet. As usual Ryan had done her research and educated me about the power of the shoes. Nest thing I know I’m in Ryan’s car headed to Travel Country to try on a pair for myself!
There were three main outdoor options for women: Classic, Sprint and KSO. The girl helping us was great and explained the benefits of each one in detail. In the end I decided to try on the Sprint; it offers a secure fit while still being pretty open on the top of the foot.
Ryan and I had our feet sized and tried on a few pairs. It was definitely different sliding each toes into it’s own compartment, but I quickly fell in love once I took my first step. It is like walking barefoot- but better.
Surprisingly the Vibrams didn’t look as goofy as I imagined! (Or maybe I’m just used to seeing everyone else in them!?) Ryan and I both ended up going with the Sprint model, though we got different colors to match our own personalities :) There’s a lot of technology behind these shoes, but I think this from the website explains a lot:
“When you go barefoot, your movements become the movements of a child—playful and sensitive, yet purposeful and confident. You experience the unbound joy of stepping, hopping, and running across any surface on earth, simply to get from here to there.
Vibram FiveFingers® allow you to relive that sensation. Unlike conventional shoes that insulate you from your surroundings, FiveFingers footwear deepens your connection to the earth and your surroundings. FiveFingers enhance your sense of touch and feel, while improving foot strength, balance, agility, and range of motion. Because wearing Vibram FiveFingers is so close to going barefoot, you’ll enjoy the health and performance benefits of barefooting without some of the risks.
Outdoor enthusiasts have found FiveFingers to be the ideal crossover shoe for multiple sports and activities—from ChiRunning and bouldering to kayaking and windsurfing. Fitness enthusiasts use FiveFingers for core strength training, yoga and Pilates. Our customers continually discover new and creative uses for our alternative performance footwear.”
From the moment we left the store Ryan and I wanted to walk over everything. The sensation of a round rock or the cracks in the brick or the softness of grass felt so good! I definitely felt like a little kid being so aware of my surroundings.
You are instructed to ease into the Vibrams, and certainly to not start running in them right away. But my name is Ashley and I have trouble listening to directions. I ran three miles in my new Vibrams right after I got home.
I kept stubbing my big toes into the pavement which hurt terribly and actually left holes in the top of the shoes. I never hit my toes in sneakers, so I’m sure it was just that my stride wasn’t adjusted to such different support.
Other than the toe issue I loved how the Vibrams moved with me on my run. At first I felt like I had walked outside in just my socks, but it felt more normal quickly. I felt lighter and more in touch with my surroundings. My pace was 45 seconds faster without any additional effort.
I’m addicted. My feet felt alive and strong. My whole body felt more in touch from my feet up. I have a lot of adjusting to do with the Vibrams, so I’ll be sure to keep you updated.
Do you own a pair of Vibram Five Fingers? What are your thoughts on barefoot running?
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