I decided to try the VFFs out on the road today to see if I could hack it. I was worried that I'd feel a lot more impact than I did on the treadmill for my 2-mile trial run last week, but I don't feel bruised or sore now (immediately following the run). We'll see how I feel this afternoon and tomorrow morning. I took Maja along and we met up with Jake. The pace was very easy (Jake and I chatted comfortably the entire time), as I wanted to avoid overdoing it on my first time out.
I must say that I enjoy the sensation of padding along the streets this way. I hope I'm saying the same thing when I wake up tomorrow. It was interesting to hear a piece on NPR earlier this week about the barefoot running article by Dan Lieberman that came out in Nature this week, especially after I received an email from the "Chief Runner" at RoadRunner Sports on Monday in which he warned people not to fall prey to the crazy and dangerous barefoot running trend that's out there. I think Mr. Chief Runner might need a lesson in PR and old-fashioned capitalism. The barefoot-minimalism craze may prove to be enduring and transformative, or it may be a mere flash in the pan. Either way, though, wouldn't it make sense to sell some gear to people (like me) who are jumping on the bandwagon, or at least to try to disguise the self-interest in telling people to keep buying expensive shoes? Speaking of the Lieberman article, he's set up a great website devoted to the science of barefoot running here" http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/ It has a section containing training tips that include "build up slowly!" For anyone considering a transition to barefoot or minimalist running, these may help avoid injuries associated with too rapid a switch from shod running.
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