After a somewhat slow start with my FiveFingers (sudden mileage increase, fighting off a couple of bugs, some big races - not easy to find place to 'ease into' my new feet. So I've been sticking to my Nikes for the most part - especially for races and longer training runs - and slipping into my FiveFingers for those days when I felt like a slow, short (<5km) solo run. Then a couple of days to recover from the tender calves!
I had to buy new Nikes the other day as the old ones had reached their mileage limit - a very respectable 800kms (the most I've ever gotten out of any pair of running shoes), and I'm using them for races still, but I want to start phasing my 'Fingers' in to the shorter races - 10-15km - from now on, using the Nikes to alternate training runs with the 'Fingers', and Nikes-only for long distance races and training runs.
This morning I broke new ground with my FiveFingers - both on distance and terrain. I ran a very comfy but hilly 11km.
This was our route - you can see the map and profile, as well as a description of the run itself.
During and immediately after the run all feels good - no niggles or anything unusual. I stepped on a couple of stones which, while pretty hard, didn't do any damage besides a brief pain as my foot came down onto the stone. Immediately after the run my feet felt a little pounded, but just vaguely, and that feeling has disappeared entirely by now. The only after-effects I'm suffering is hunger due to elevated metabolism!!
Tomorrow morning will bring with it sore calves I'm sure, but each FiveFingered run results in less tenderness, and shorter duration of tenderness, of my calves. Two weeks ago I ran 9km (flat) in my 'Fingers' on the Thursday, and Red Hill Classic (36km) that following Saturday (2 days later) in my Nikes. My calves were still a bit tight and tender, but no more so at the end of the race than at the start. The day after I was not at all stiff, and my calves had returned to normal. Lead legs for a few days, and a nasty cold as a result of my body not being used to such high mileage at a time any longer, were the only after-effects!
Things are looking very promising. I will run my 10km and 15km races in my 'Fingers' from now on. Maybe in a few more weeks I'll be ready to tackle Half marathons in them - slow and steady does it. For sure I'll be Half-ready by the time Two Oceans comes around in April. I'm actually very curious to see how many other 'Fingers' there will be on the road by then. When I got mine 3 months ago, I had seen 1 person wearing a pair (at Landmarks Half) and most had not heard of them. Since getting mine I've spread the word and many of my friends have gotten their own. They also seem to be becoming a trend in general, with a 'gear review' in Runners World just the other day. That will surely lead to a sudden increase in demand. Who will actually persevere is another story though - some will buy them for the trendy image, others for practicality and health. Hopefully most will be going for the latter.
Longest run to date in my FiveFingers, I was expecting tender calves today, but they feel 100% fine!! Yay, finally breaking in my 'Fingers'!!!
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