I actually took the day off yesterday, hoping to give my heel/ankle time to heal. It was feeling fine during the day today, and even though I didn't have a lot of time, I was really anxious to try the Vibrams with the Injinji socks. I figured I had around 30 minutes to run before I needed to pick up A, and decided on the West Big Dry Creek trail - BUT run in the opposite direction to see where I would pick up the trail we normally run.
Putting on the shoes, I was concerned about how tight they seemed in the toe area, but once I really got moving it seemed like they were going to work fine. I kept glancing at my watch and I seemed to be keeping a pretty fast training pace. I didn't even take my first walk break until after the turn around point:
Then I seemed to finally realize just how hot it was! It suddenly felt like I was running uphill and I had to take a sort of unplanned walk break another ten minutes later... which led me to the random llama I saw (don't worry, he is just resting, I saw his head move):
I managed to get 3.35 miles done in just under 35 minutes - with three or so minutes of walking, a pretty decent pace. As soon as I slowed down, however, I noticed my heel was REALLY tender. The pain in my heel does NOT seem to be related to the shoes since I noticed it when I was running on the treadmill and I hadn't worn the Vibrams in over a week. Overall I think I will give a tentative excellent rating for the Vibrams. Wearing the socks and using some Body Glide and I did not have any new blistering. I definitely feel more when I'm running, but I assume that it's still part of the novelty of wearing them. My feet will probably get used to it.
I have a long(ish) run planned in the morning, but in the meantime I'm wearing the compression leg sleeves and putting some Icy Hot on it. I hope it will hold up one more day, I don't have a run planned on Sunday.
I was a little worried when I scanned your pictures first and then started reading...I wasn't sure that was in the last one...glad he was just resting! I love reading about your experiences in the Vibrams as I'm quite curious about them!
ReplyDeleteHi Becka,
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures of where you get to run:) It looks really pretty! It was hot here today too...yuck! Nice job on your run for testing out the Vibrams...thank goodness they were pretty comfy for you. Do you think that you will continue to run in them?
A fellow Vibram-runner! Have fun trying them out! Really try to get used to them by running less miles on them to start with; your calves will thank you!
ReplyDeleteI think I will continue to run in the Vibrams, I'm just trying to get my feet used to them on the shorter runs I do before I start doing long runs or races in them.
ReplyDeleteLlama?!
ReplyDeleteYep! A llama! This is the same area I have seen a donkey in the past.
ReplyDelete