Teva Zilch

I haven't run in a while, I confess. I'm still learning time management. Anyway, my feet have become so used to thin zero-drop soles because I've been wearing my neo trails every day, but now it's too hot for them. I used too love my Chacos, but now they make my feet hurt, and I found a pair of Teva Zilches online for half off, so I ordered them. I'm a big fan of Chaco's conservative look as opposed to the Zilch's high-tech look, but the minimalist sandal wins out. They're supposed to come tomorrow, and I'm stoked.

Still Kicking

My runs are getting better and better. My mother recently told me my stride was beautiful, which meant alot because I used to be very self-conscious about my form. I feel less and less sensitivity in my soles every time I run. I used to run on the sidewalk and tar lines whenever possible to relieve my feet, but now I prefer the rough road and hardly touch the sidewalk. I feel like my form is better on the rough road and my feet slip a little on the sidewalk, creating more friction.

I haven't been increasing my distance by any more than 10% a week in order to avoid any injuries. However, the other day, I had alot on my mind and I was really enjoying my run, so I kept going and increased by 50% instead. The total distance was 4.5 miles. Before that, my longest was only 3.

Things are going well.

Good Progress

In my last post, I mentioned that the weather took a short warm turn. When it snowed, I thought the warmth was gone for good. However, the warmth came right back. It would periodically dip down a little, but it always came back up shortly. Lately it's been around 80 degrees and I have a sunburn, if that tells you anything.

Anyway, as soon as it warmed up again, I was outside again. I ran often, fearing that one day the weather would disappear. It took me a few weeks to get back to the distance I was running in early december, especially since I was in aqua lites back then and had to start fresh on my pads. Plus, even back when I was running barefoot, I was on a smooth track. Now that I'm home, I have to run on rough roads because I'm on the outskirts of town.

Because of the rough roads, I've been forced to improve my form. It's been really fun experimenting with my form. I've made alot of progress. There were some things I still wasn't clear on back in december that I have pretty much figured out now. Plus, my pads are really coming along. I've been through a similar process with my fingertips from playing the ukulele. I observed at the beginning that there was sort of a cocoon period where the skin really hardens up. I thought it would always be that way, but after a while, that hard skin left and was replaced by soft skin again, only with a little cushion under it. My feet have been in the cocoon period for a while, but now they're finally coming out. The rough roads are hardly a problem at all now. However, there's a chip and seal road nearby that I haven't tried yet. I imagine that will be a challenge.

Anyway, things are going well. I'm running farther and easier than I ever have, and I almost always enjoy my runs.

Holidays

I've only run a few times since I came home for the holidays. I ran two miles when I first returned, but then my brother came into town for a week, so I didn't run then, and during that week, I picked up a cold, which I still have.

However, five days ago, it was really warm and I was feeling a little better, so I decided to go for a short run. I ran about three-hundred yards before stopping. It felt like there was a weight on my chest, so I figured I should've waited for my cold to heal completely. Then I noticed how hot and itchy my feet were in my aqua lites, and I don't know what possessed me, but I forgot how tired I was and decided to take them off and run barefoot.

Honestly, it was the most I'd enjoyed a run in a long time. I realized how much I'd missed running totally barefoot. It's so much more enjoyable. Anyway, since I was still recovering from my cold and since it was my first barefoot run in a couple months, I only ran a mile. But when I got home, I was energized. I felt like running another mile. Plus, I had no blisters or anything.

That got me really excited and I bought Barefoot Ken Bob's book: Barefoot Running Step by Step. It's interesting hearing different points of view on the same topic. He, Jason Robillard, and Michael Sandler all agree and disagree on various points. I think Ken Bob would think Michael Sandler's form is terrible. To Ken Bob, bending your knees is the number-one most important rule, but Michael Sandler hardly bends them at all. It actually looks really funny.

Anyway, I was excited to apply some new things I learned from Barefoot Ken Bob, but when I woke up in the morning ready to run, it was raining. I was bummed. However, I decided I was going to run barefoot anyway, since I'd never done it in the rain before. Honestly, it was fun. I enjoyed apply what I learned, but I didn't go as far as I hoped because my pads started to sting a little. No surprise since it was my first run in the rain. Surprisingly, I didn't have a single blister. I expected to have at least a few small ones on my toes.

After that, I decided I would never let rain stop me. However, the next time I woke up ready to run, it was snowing. This time, I let it stop me. I haven't run since. We were having such a nice warm streak, and just as I was starting to run again, it ended. Oh well.

Since I still have a cold, I'm going to wait until it's gone before running in this weather. It's freezing out there.

Fartlek Run

I did a fartlek run this morning. Once again, I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. Jason Robillard says that if you're new to running, then it will be slow, and it should approach or surpass our 5k speed. What does that mean? My fartlek runs consist of short sprints separated by brief walks to cool down. I should look into it to make sure I'm doing it right.

Anyway, it was a good run. I like fast runs. I feel more in control for some weird reason. There were alot of people at the track, so I felt self-conscious, but that's okay. I just ignored it and did my thing.

13 Laps

It may have been twelve laps. I think it was thirteen, but lap three may have been only two. I was only going to run twelve laps, but to make sure I didn't cheat, I slapped on an extra lap at the end, making it thirteen. I'm training myself to persevere. I used to be one to take the easy way out, but not anymore. However, I'm pretty sure I didn't miscount.

My form is becoming more relaxed, which is good. I was very aware of my breathing and posture. I'm slowly learning what good posture feels like. I feel like form becomes easier with speed. On lap thirteen, I sped up to almost a sprint. I feel more control at a sprint. I hardly bounce, I breathe fine, and I just feel good. Plus, the fact that I can run farther than I've ever run in my life, feel worn out, and finish it off with a sprint, says either my distance-running form needs work or that there's just something about sprinting that feels good.

There was no soreness or anything. I felt sort of tired early on, but once again, I felt about the same the whole way through. I wasn't dead at the end.

I read a couple review of the upcoming New Balance Minimus Zero Trail and Road shoes. They were positive. I'm glad that more companies are releasing legitimate minimalist shoes. I like to think that as more and more come out and more and more people are buying them, the price will go down.

My aqua lites are plenty for me, though.

Tempo Run - 4 Laps

I ran a 4 lap tempo run today. I think I still haven't quite figured the tempo run out. I wore myself out again and had to stop to walk a bit. I was well-hydrated today, but I still tired quickly. I think I'm going through a phase. I hope it passes soon.

One reason might be my lack of sleep. I've been getting a maximum of 6 hours of sleep a night recently. I don't really notice it throughout the day, but I wonder if I would have more energy if I were to improve my sleeping habits.

I'm falling in love with my neo trails. It's so nice to be able to walk normal all day every day. I've noticed a definite difference in the way I walk now. I'm much lighter on my feet. Since I started barefoot/minimalist running, I've begun to carry myself much better. My balance has improved. I'm much more comfortable on my feet, especially when barefoot or wearing minimalist shoes.

For my birthday, I think I'm going to get a pair of Teva Zilchs. Eventually, I might also get a pair of VivoBarefoot Dylans. While my neo trails are good enough for now, the Dylans are better for casual wear. The soles are thinner, for one. I could wear my aqua lites, but with soles that thin and a price that high, I think I'd better reserve them for running. My neo trails should also eventually be reserved for trail running. I want them to last as long as possible.

I'm not going to buy new dress shoes just yet. I have two pairs right now. Some might say it's about time I got some new ones because they're well-used and worn, but I can't justify buying more shoes right now, and since I only wear them once a week, they'll probably last me a little while longer. However, when I do buy new shoes, I think I'll get some Vivobarefoot Ras.

Jason Robillard prefers the Merrell Tough Gloves for dress-shoes, but honestly, I think he is a little biased. Merrell seems to be the only minimalist shoe manufacturer that he talks about. I've seen alot of good come from Vivobarefoot, but I've only heard him mention them a few times. I'm glad that Merrell is making an effort to go barefoot, but Vivobarefoot is definitely more dedicated to the movement. Merrell could get by if their barefoot line never sold, but Vivobarefoot is all minimalist.

Plus, while Merrell has different shoes for different purposes, they aren't all that different from each other. Heck, their dress shoe has the same sole as their trail running shoe. The main difference between the true glove and the trail glove is that the trail glove's upper is more flexible. I honestly think the only ones worth buying are the tough and trail gloves because they do everything the others do. Hopefully their 2012 line has a little more variety and specialization.

That's where Vivobarefoot shines. While they have some multi-purpose shoes like Merrell's (Evo and Neo), they also have one of the most specialized road shoes (my aqua lites), and some serious trail shoes (my neo trails). They also have water-friendly shoes, hiking boots, dress shoes (that look much better than Merrell's tough gloves), casual shoes, etc.

They have the biggest selection of minimalist shoes I've seen. And they are true minimalist. Their shoes aren't the Nike Free, the Reebok Reelflex, or even the New Balance Minimus. Nike and Reebok are targeting people that really don't know the first thing about minimalist running, New Balance is targeting people that know the first thing, Merrell is targeting people that know the second thing, and Vivobarefoot is targeting people that are totally cool with wearing no shoes at all.

About New Balance, they're designing a new line that will be more minimal than their current. It's called the Minimus Zero. They'll be zero-drop and all. Anyway, I was reading an article about the development of the new soles. It mentions that the principal designer has had difficulty developing a midfoot strike, but running in the shoes he's designing has helped him out. I don't think they should have said that in the article. It's not the most reassuring thing to hear that the man in charge of designing a minimalist line of shoes is not himself a minimalist runner. Because of that, I doubt he has the best judgment of what makes a good minimalist shoe. I can't say I do either, but I think there are probably some people working at New Balance that know more about it than this guy.

But then again, New Balance, like Merrell, is selling its name. They don't have to make a shoe as good as Vivobarefoot's to make money. Vivobarefoot, as small as they are, have to really excel to stay in the running, and excel they do. Plus, Vivobarefoot has Lee Saxby on their side. I'm sure he gives them alot of suggestions for their shoes. He gives them legitimacy.

Maybe I'm as biased towards Vivobarefoot as Jason Robillard is towards Merrell. I don't know. I just feel that Vivobarefoot is more serious about it. Merrell, as Jason says, is trying to convert shod runners to minimalist running. Vivobarefoot, on the other hand, is mostly targeting those already converted. It's cool and all what Merrell is doing, but I'm already converted. I already bought my pair of Merrells. On to Vivobarefoot.

Then again, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised by Merrell's new line next year...